# Shetland pony The Shetland pony is a small and sturdy horse known for its friendly nature. They are great for kids and love to play and explore their surroundings. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Shetland horse ![Shetland pony](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Shetland_pony_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ronnie Robertson, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shetland_pony_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Shetland pony is a compact, sturdy equine with short legs, a broad back, and a deep chest. They have a distinctive shaggy double coat, often black, dark brown, or grey, with a thick mane and tail. Their small size and gentle eyes make them easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - Shetland ponies can live into their thirties, much longer than many other horse breeds! - Their sturdy hooves are incredibly tough, allowing them to walk on rocky terrain without shoes. - These hardy ponies developed on islands where winters are very cold and windy! - They originally worked in coal mines, pulling carts underground! ## Special abilities - **Arctic Coat:** Shetland pony has a super-thick double coat that helps them stay warm and dry in harsh, cold, and wet climates. - **Super Strength:** Shetland pony can carry heavy loads far exceeding their own body weight, making them excellent working animals. - **Tough Digestion:** Shetland pony can digest coarse vegetation and thrive on sparse pastures because of their efficient digestive system. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-130 cm - **Weight:** 150-200 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 320-350 days ## Diet & Feeding Shetland ponies are grazing animals that mostly eat grasses, hay, and other plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, hay, heather, sedges - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Heather](https://www.snappit.app/explore/heather) (*Calluna vulgaris*) — A primary food source in their native moorland habitats. - **Eats:** Red fescue (*Festuca rubra*) — A common grass species grazed in pastures and wild areas. - **Parasitizes:** Sheep tick (*Ixodes ricinus*) — Ticks attach to ponies to feed on their blood. - **Parasitizes:** Bloodworm (*Strongylus vulgaris*) — An internal parasite that can affect pony health. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always be gentle and calm around ponies, and ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Shetland pony? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Shetland pony? 100-130 cm ### How much does Shetland pony weigh? 150-200 kg ### How long does Shetland pony live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Shetland pony move? 35 km/h ### What does Shetland pony eat? Shetland ponies are grazing animals that mostly eat grasses, hay, and other plant matter. ### Where is Shetland pony usually found? Grasslands ### How does Shetland pony hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Tiergarten Stendal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-stendal) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Shetland pony: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shetland-pony)