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The Difference Between Shetland Pony and a Horse

The Shetland Pony gets its name from the islands from which it comes, the Shetland Islands. It is the smallest of all horse breeds. The Shetland Pony was trained to work by the natives of the islands. A unit of measurement called "hands" is most often used to measure horses, but the Shetland Pony is so small it is often measured in centimeters.

Origin
- Shetland Ponies' average about 40 inches in height.
  
  The Shetland Islands consist of about 100 islands. Of these, only 15 have people living on them. The islands are only accessible by boat or air. The islands are Scottish and are territories of Great Britain.
Physical Attributes
- The Shetland Pony averages a height of 102 cm, maxing out at about 117 cm (9.3-10.2 hands). These small horses can be a variety of colors including brown, black, bay, chestnut gray and spotted. They have shaggy coats with a long mane and tail. It has short, strong legs. Shetland Ponies have an average lifespan of 30 years.
Shetlands as Pets
- Around the year 1850, Shetland Ponies were brought to the United States and bred specifically for children to ride. They have a good-natured temperament, but can be stubborn and independent.
Shetlands As Workers
- With respect to its size, the Shetland Pony is the strongest of horse breeds. Before roads were built, Shetlands were used to carry vegetable matter, groceries and people. They were also used to plow land. They were taken to Britain in the 1800s to work in the coal mines. Some of these ponies never saw natural light because they were born and died in the coal mines.

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