Shetland Ponies

Short, stumpy Thelwellian figures with bright eyes, bulging sides and knotted manes. Not as many as you had expect, but Fetlar and Unst (two of the many Shetland Islands) are good places to see them. Average height 38-inch. None is wild-all have owners. Once of great economic value to the crofter- for transport, and tail hair was used for making fishing lines, cords etc. In 16th and 17th century, to cut the hair from the tail of another man’s horse was a serious offence. During 19th century many were shipped to north-east England to replace children in coalmines, hauling tubs along low seams. Numbers dwindled between wars but export market picked up again in 1950s when they became popular as pets. Annual Shetland pony for sale are held in Unst at end Oct and in Lerwick at beginning November.