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Mountain and Moorland Showing > The Shetland Pony

Shetland

http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk

Breed Standard

Height - Registered stock must not exceed 40 inches (102 cm) at three years or under, nor 42 inches (107 cm) at four years or over. Ponies are measured from the withers to the ground by measuring stick and on a level stance, preferably concrete should be used

Colour - Shetland Ponies may be any colour known in horses except spotted

Coat - The coat changes according to the seasons of the year; a double coat in winter with guard hairs which shed rain and keep the pony’s skin completely dry in the worst weather. By contrast, the summer coat is short and should carry a beautiful silky sheen. At all times the mane and tail hair should be long straight and profuse and the feathering of the fetlocks straight and silky

Head - The head should be small, carried well and in proportion. Ears should be small and erect, wide set but pointing well forward. Forehead should be broad wtih bold, dark, intelligent eyes. Blue eyes are not acceptable. Muzzle must be broad with nostrils wide open. Teeth and jaw must be correct

Hind Legs - The thighs should be strong and muscular with well shaped, strong hocks, neither hooky nor too straight. When viewed from behind, the hindlegs should not be set too widely apart, nor should the hocks be turned in

Fore Legs - Should be well placed with sufficient good, flat bone. Strong forearm. Short, balanced cannon bone. Springy pasterns

Feet - Tough, round and well shaped - not short, narrow, contracted or thin

Action - Straight, free action using every joint and tracking-up well

General - A most salient and essential feature of the Shetland Pony is its general air of vitality (presence), stamina and robustness

Trimming rules for showing

The ears may be trimmed flat but there must be no trimming inside the ear. Trimming of whiskers on the jaw line is acceptable. Manes and tails must not be pulled but tails may be rough trimmed to clear the ground if dragging. Leg feathers must not be trimmed. No false hair, artificial colouring or make-up should be used. Only working ponies of four years old or over may be clipped in the interest of welfare, otherwise ponies are shown in full coat. Under no circumstances should foals be clipped.

Tack for In Hand showing

Colts and stallions of two years old or over must be shown bitted. Younger animals and older females may be shown in a suitable leather headcollar. For in-hand showing, only plain English-style jointed or straight bar snaffles are permitted. This includes the Metropolitan/ Horseshoe Liverpool bit often refered to as a stallion show bit. Chifneys or other similar bits are not acceptable.