HORSING AROUND BY TRIANA ELAN

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The Original Shetlands

We all know ponies; those cute little horses that drive their owners crazy because they're as intelligent as they are cute. They can be nasty little things, and contrary to their small size, they are strong.

In the United States, we think a certain look when we think of Shetland Ponies. Small horses. But, as always, we mess about with breeds until they are suitable to our tastes. The American Shetland is very different from the original British Shetland (which, of course, hails from the Shetland Isles above Scotland).

What makes the American Shetland look the way it does is its being a mix of the British Shetland and the Hackney.

The original version of the Shetland Pony is still alive and well in Great Britain; its origins are unknown but unadulterated in England. They were used for driving and mining because of their stocky build and incredible strength. The true Shetland is gentle in temperament, but make no mistake, they are smart.

When I was in London in December of 2000, I made it a point to go to the Olympia Stadium to see the Shetland Pony Grand National race, which is a part of the Christmas tradition. By a sheer stroke of luck, I got to be a groom for one of the ponies whose groom was ill.

The Shetland Pony Grand National is a miniature steeplechase with young jockeys riding the ponies. The maximum age of a rider is 14 and these young people work hard to achieve the honor of riding in the Grand National. They train for years to get there and many of them come from humble beginnings and work their way through their training.

I made friends with Kathy Nixon, owner of a herd of ponies. Pictured here are two of her ponies, Pewter (white) and Mighty Mark (brown). These two ponies are thick as thieves; when they were stabled at the Olympia, the dividers between them had to be removed because they refused to eat when separated. They knew when it was time to go to work and comforted each other reassuringly in their own language.

These ponies have served people for hundred of years, have died in the mines, have worked themselves to death. Now they have the great good fortune to engage with humans for play and camaraderie. These people love their ponies and Pewter recently appeared in front of the Queen at her 50th Anniversary Jubilee.

Shetland ponies are loyal and have long memories. They have to make up for their small size in wit and strategy different from horses.

Eventually we will have true Shetlands available through Island Star, but in the meantime here are some photos for your perusal.

Triana Elan lives on Orcas Island and is the founder of Island Star Equestrian Center

© 2002 Island Star