The Shetland Pony

By James Cossar Ewart, Charles Douglas, Anne Douglas, et al.

Book Overview

How did a pony of such small stature retain the strength, activity and usefulness demanded by generations of work? Rooted in Shetland, this natural-history and breed study examines an ancient, distinctive animal shaped by heredity, isolation, severe conditions, nutrition and selective breeding. Its size is treated not as a curiosity in itself, but as part of a larger enquiry into adaptation, soundness and the qualities that allowed the breed to endure. Close attention to pony conformation gives the discussion unusual practical depth. Proportion, movement, vigour and temperament are considered alongside pedigree evidence and breeding decisions, revealing the tension between preserving a capable working animal and pursuing excessive miniaturisation or fashionable show standards. The breed's changing uses-from pack, riding, harness and farm work to coal-pit labour, children's riding and exhibition-show how human demands influenced both its reputation and development. Practical husbandry is inseparable here from breed history. Feeding, management and breeding are assessed in relation to the pony's inherited constitution, while warnings against overfeeding and unsuitable selection remain firmly tied to usefulness and health. Historical evidence, pedigree discussion and an appendix exploring prehistoric ancestry and the causes of small size broaden the enquiry beyond appearance, presenting the Shetland pony as the product of environment, labour and deliberate choice. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 930933133X
• ISBN13: 9789309331336
• Release Date: March 2027
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 90 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"