Shetland Pony Sales Australia

[paulashorse]

G'day, I am new here and to Shetlands. I've actually avoided wanting a shetland in the past because of a pre-conceived notion that they are "just for kids" LOL! I currently own 2 miniature horses, 1 small horse MHAA reg, and one Palouse Pony. My main interest is driving in harness. I was looking at the Shetland Pony Sales web site and noticed a couple of ponies on there that had very pretty Welsh type heads and was wondering if Welsh blood is sometimes bred into the Shetland to achieve this type? In particular there were a couple of palominos that I really liked with the welsh looking head (dishy face, large eye, etc). I would like to own a pony like that one day.

Here is a photo of the type of pony I am talking about.


She looks very much like a miniature horse mare I now own named Sweety. Sweety is 32" and has the more gorgeous head IMHO.
Here is a photo of Sweety:


I've been wanting to get a clone of Sweety in a bit bigger size for pulling my sulky.

Paula
paulashorse@ozemail.com.au

[paulashorse]

P.S. I am in Southern NSW near Canberra (1 hour's drive). Most of the ponies I've seen for sale are in Victoria, SA or WA and I am trying to find something in my area first before looking at buying out of state.

[paulashorse]

I tried ringing the number on the add for this mare but got no answer. Does anyone on here know her breeder? By the prefix on the phone number I think she is in South Australia. Just curious.

[Millwood]

No known welsh in shetties! The standard states a straight profile for a shetland I think, so no dish. But big eyes on a wide flat forehead can give the same pretty look that many show shetties have. It seems more acceptable in the mini shetlands to have a really pretty dishy face. Definitely there are shetlands that have shorter, longer, dishier, straighter or whatever heads than others. If you like welshie type heads then go for it!!

[paulashorse]

Hi Danni,

How did you get that white box in there with your reply?

Yes, I love the "Araby" type head on ponies and I love Welsh ponies as well as shetlands. In my younger days I rode Arabians in competitive trail riding and also showed them a bit (in the US which is where I am originally from) so maybe that is why I still want a pony with a bit of Arabian type. However, I also like the strength and calm temperament of the Shetland.

I'll keep trying to reach these people because I have fallen in love at least with the photo of that pony! LOL!

[Millwood]

You can make the quote box either with the right hand top of this post it says quote, or use quotes tags in the message you write (all tags are listed just above the post message box)

I hope you get in contact with the SA people, she looks a lovely pony!
Cheers

Danni

[shaylahpark]

Hi Paulashorse

Just thought I would let you know the pony you are interested in is in QLD, not SA. She also advertised in this months horse deals. Cheers Deanne

[cookiegurl1]

i've seen a few shetlands with these heads but genraly somewere in the bloodlines they were crossed or somones lying, but i see mroe minatures with these heads

[Glenardan]

I am not going to say that outcrossing of shetlands has never happened, but I would be very careful of what you might accuse people of doing without some evidence to back up what you say. I believe that people have been banned from the APSB in the past for deceitful management of there ponies, such as swapping ponies, brands etc.. but unless you know of certain circumstances and can substantiate your claim with fact from those investigated, ( and there have been) than this forum is open to all to view and you leave yourself open.

[cookiegurl1]

[Thordale]

Up in the Shetland islands it was known, and a well-known breeder told me this, that when the boats came down from Iceland with horses for the mines, then one or two would be swapped for Shetlands and stallions were often put in the hill (the scattald) to make the breed bigger and more useful to the crofters.

I only know this because we used to loan a Shetland who was the spit of our Icelandic horses only scaled down. Honestly, you could pass him as an Icelandic if you took a photo of him on his own with nothing to compare him with, size-wise.

So, originally, it was not unknown and as the breed was predominantly used for farming rather than showing, the pony had to be useful. If you look at the photos from the Shetland Museum archive of Shetland ponies, you will see a very different animal than the one we all breed today.

http://photos.shetland-museum.org.uk/index.php?a=wordsearch&s=item&key=WczoxMzoic2hldGxhbmQgcG9ueSI7&pg=27

http://photos.shetland-museum.org.uk/index.php?a=wordsearch&s=item&key=WczoxMzoic2hldGxhbmQgcG9ueSI7&pg=60

http://photos.shetland-museum.org.uk/index.php?a=wordsearch&s=item&key=WczoxMzoic2hldGxhbmQgcG9ueSI7&pg=61

Tbh, I really want to cross my stallion with a donkey. I want a Shetland mule more than anything!


I have seen one and he was in a sanctuary (http://www.hopepastures.org/Muffin.htm) and described as a "character"! I can only imagine!

If we did do this, I expect we would be drummed out of the brownies for it! I am sorely tempted.

[brighthope]

Robin & Ros Brown of Torrieburn Stud at Campania (Tasmania) are breeding Shetland and Miniature Mules.

[Thordale]

I know, they are luffley! I want!

[SherbrookePhoto]

[Thordale]

No, no, no that Muffin link is an advert!

He is boootiful! To some "a character" just means he has his moments. I wouldn't worry about that. Having worked with many Shetlands, the majority just want a job of work to do to keep them occupied. They like working and they hate being garden ornaments!

Our lot start taking the place to pieces to see how it works if you leave them. They get bored very easily.