Shetland curiosity

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tyner

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For those that have Shetlands, what are you are looking for in a well constructed pony?

When I was Shetland sized myself our lovely specimen enjoyed racing full gallop under low hanging tree branches in an effort to scrape you off.

These days I appreciate their personalities and enjoy looking at them (from afar). But it seems like the proportions can vary a lot. Some look like little horses others like cartoon characters and others like AI put a bunch of parts together and squished them down.

For example this one the sellers suggest is for breeding and the show ring. The proportions seem so strange but I'm not sure if that is what Shetlands are supposed to look like.

https://www.dragondriving.co.uk/horseforsale-210791.html

What are you looking for in a show Shetland? Please share some fabulous pictures of your lovely Shetlands please 😀
 
nagblagger

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I don't think a show quality Shetland would be advertised on that website. If she was of that quality she would be advertised as 'won in the show ring'. I can't help you with ideal conformation but there are a few on here that will come along shortly.
 
meleeka

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Shetlands are the XL Bully of the equine world. Just like cobs they’ve been overbred by idiots and the quality has suffered. A show quality shetland is vastly different to the ones many people own. I have one that’s got terrible confirmation, but it doesn’t matter to me, he makes me smile every day and is a great character to have around.

@Elf On A Shelf knows all about show quality shetlands.
 
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Elf On A Shelf

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Shetlands have changed a lot over the years, as have all breeds. Some are now too leggy and narrow others are too heavy set. A true shetland should have quality limb, a broad deep ribcage, decent width through the chest, a good sloping shoulder, well set neck and tail - actually just like any horse. Miniatures are worse than standards. A true mini should be a scaled down version of a standard. But too many were bred for height and colour which meant they ignored other important things such as conformation and movement.

These are 2 of my lads who have done exceptionally well in the show ring in their lifetimes. The grey if anything was a touch light of bone and a fraction too narrow in the chest, he had shocking feet too (not misshapen just not tough enough) but the rest of him made up for it. The black, the picture is deceptive, he has legs like tree trunks and you can fit a bus between his front legs. Both have neat heads, small ears, good length of rein, broad ribs, a cooks backside and movement to die for. Neither had big thick manes or tails though. Flints never grew beyond a certain length and Rains could grow a proper mane and tail but he has sweetitch.
 

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Peglo

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We have some pretty good shetland breeders up here (Orkney) so don’t see so many of the fugly ones. 😂

Elf- everything seems quite long? Ears, face, legs? I’m no expert but she looks quite pony like for a shetland.
 
Goldie's mum

Goldie's mum

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Fine boned and not square enough. Legs too long in relation to depth of body. Shoulders taper in as they go down- should look like a sea chest with short legs when viewed from the front.
 
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Elf On A Shelf

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Looks can be deceiving. That Filly actually has a tiny, beautiful little head with tiny ears. She was a 5yo in that pic. She is far too light of bone, too Petite in almost every respect (except chest width and proper round feet) She is a useless height wise - too big for a mini, too small to be a useful standard. Her hair is also wrong. Her mane is still very fluffy and Yearling like which is shouldn't be at all.

She has a hell of a personality though 😂

This one?
 

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P.forpony

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This is my mini yearling a few months ago, ignore the scowl he was livid I'd just given him a bath 😂

I was worried he was definitely looking very light but thankfully he's chunked out since then and put down quite a bit more bone 🤞 he keeps going that way.

Critiques welcome and invited 😊
Didn't know anything about shetties beyond Thelwell when I got him but have been attempting to educate myself since.

Screenshot_20231108_100206_Gallery.jpg
 
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Peglo

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Elf On A Shelf said:
Looks can be deceiving. That Filly actually has a tiny, beautiful little head with tiny ears. She was a 5yo in that pic. She is far too light of bone, too Petite in almost every respect (except chest width and proper round feet) She is a useless height wise - too big for a mini, too small to be a useful standard. Her hair is also wrong. Her mane is still very fluffy and Yearling like which is shouldn't be at all.

She has a hell of a personality though 😂

This one?
Click to expand...

Do the hind quarters look too big for the rest?

I also have no idea what I’m talking about but trying to play along 😂
 
smolmaus

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Peglo said:
Do the hind quarters look too big for the rest?

I also have no idea what I’m talking about but trying to play along 😂
Click to expand...
I was going to say the opposite! Could do with a bigger backside as everything looks pulled forward. Might just be the stance because I also have no idea what I'm talking about but he looks italicised 😂
 
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Peglo

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smolmaus said:
I was going to say the opposite! Could do with a bigger backside as everything looks pulled forward. Might just be the stance because I also have no idea what I'm talking about but he looks italicised 😂
Click to expand...

😂😂 I thought the hind looked quite high. Will wait in anticipation to see if/who’s right and wrong (probably me who’s incorrect) 😂😂
 
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Elf On A Shelf

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smolmaus said:
I was going to say the opposite! Could do with a bigger backside as everything looks pulled forward. Might just be the stance because I also have no idea what I'm talking about but he looks italicised 😂
Click to expand...

If I told you its the same Filly as the fine one above would you believe me? Just a year older , more weight on and a slightly thicker coat for going into winter.
 
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