Southport, Merseyside, UK : 31st May, 2016. This gangly new born young palomino cream Shetland pony, who at birth weighed less than a new-born human baby. is warming in the morning sun and is just a little taller than the buttercups in his meadow. This stunning miniature, named Biscuit stands just 17 inches tall will be offered for sale after weaning. Although tiny the breed is hardy and resilient, and strong for their size.
Small ponies have existed in the Shetland Isles for over 2000 years and probably much longer. Various excavations on the islands have revealed the bones of small ponies that existed during the Bronze Age and it is thought that ponies have been in domestic use there since this time. It is believed that the Shetland has its origin in the Cob type of Tundra and the Mountain Pony type from Southern Europe which migrated via the ice fields and land masses, with later introduction of a pony brought to the islands by the Celtic people which had evolved from crossing the same Mountain Pony type with the Oriental horse. Owing to its island existence the pony has evolved with relatively few importations and those that did arrive were by necessity small owing to the difficulties of transportation by sea. Two significant types established themselves within the breed, the heavier boned animal with a longer head and the lighter one with high tail carriage and small pretty head, and these have remained distinct characteristics which has stood the pony in very good stead for its changing roles in the service of mankind.
Size: 3600px × 2400px
Location: Tarleton, Preston, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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