British Shetland Ponies meet visitors at Guangzhou’s Xiangjiang Safari Park. According to reports, 20 British Shetland Ponies that arrived from the Netherlands on a chartered flight are currently enjoying “royal” treatment at Xiangjiang Safari Park — they are groomed and dressed up by dedicated staff every day, and can either stroll leisurely in their exclusive “backyard garden” or trot around in a small racetrack.
Children visiting the park lined up to try riding and get up close to pet these gentle “pony companions.” It is understood that only horses under 106 cm in shoulder height can be classified as ponies. The 20 British Shetland Ponies imported from the Netherlands in January this year by Xiangjiang Safari Park are the shortest of the short — the tallest stands just 95 cm, while the shortest is merely 74 cm, truly making them the “ponies among ponies.” According to staff, the newly arrived group includes 5 mares and 15 stallions, aged between 4 to 5 years old, with the “pony king” being over 8 years old. Due to their rarity, they are especially precious and, together with China’s Southwest Ponies, are recognized as two of the world’s major pony lineages.
Children visiting the park lined up to try riding and get up close to pet these gentle “pony companions.” It is understood that only horses under 106 cm in shoulder height can be classified as ponies. The 20 British Shetland Ponies imported from the Netherlands in January this year by Xiangjiang Safari Park are the shortest of the short — the tallest stands just 95 cm, while the shortest is merely 74 cm, truly making them the “ponies among ponies.” According to staff, the newly arrived group includes 5 mares and 15 stallions, aged between 4 to 5 years old, with the “pony king” being over 8 years old. Due to their rarity, they are especially precious and, together with China’s Southwest Ponies, are recognized as two of the world’s major pony lineages.
British Shetland Ponies
Originally from the Shetland Islands in the UK. Over the past 100 years, they have spread across the globe (including Beijing and Urumqi in China). Scientific research on Shetland Ponies has advanced significantly, and they have now been bred down to heights of 70–86 cm.
Shetland Ponies are a world-famous dwarf horse breed found in many countries. They are beloved pets of royalty and also close companions to children. They can be ridden by kids or used to pull carriages in competitions.
Shetland Ponies originated from the Shetland Islands in the northeast of Scotland, UK, and are named after the islands. However, their exact origins remain unclear, and historical records can be traced back several centuries. The Shetland Pony is a strong and sturdy dwarf horse breed. It has a strong adaptability to natural environments, is tolerant of coarse feed, and grows a double-layered winter coat to withstand the cold. Before the 18th century, there was little selective breeding of Shetland Ponies. In 1890, the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was established, which began focusing on the selective breeding and improvement of the breed. Queen Elizabeth II once served as the honorary president of the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society, and British royalty have always shown particular favor and attention toward Shetland Ponies.
Characteristics of the Shetland Pony: small head, broad forehead, large eyes, small upright ears, well-opened nostrils, short back, muscular loin, and wide, strong hindquarters. Their limbs are short and sturdy, especially the cannon bones. The hooves are round, well-shaped, and solid. Their coats are thick and dense, growing a double layer in winter. The mane and tail are long and bushy. They come in a variety of colors such as black, bay, blue roan, chestnut, gray, and dun, but not spotted. Ponies aged three and below should not exceed 102 cm in height; those aged four and above should not exceed 107 cm. Shetland Ponies are intelligent and lively, somewhat stubborn, but are obedient and easy to handle with proper management.
