Shetland pony: description of the breed, features of care and breeding. Little horse. What is the difference between a pony and a horse

Ponies belong to a subspecies of horses, which are distinguished by low growth, not exceeding 140 cm. The name comes from the English word ponaidh, which means “little horse”. Undersized horses are found everywhere, striking with a variety of colors and unusual appearance, causing delight in children and adults. But not everyone knows where ponies came from, what breeds exist, what are their features.

Ponies are a subspecies of undersized horses. From English pony is translated as a small horse.

Currently, there are about two dozen pony breeds that differ in appearance, size and use.

It is also believed that the progenitor of modern European pony species is a wild horse (Equus ferus caballus).

There is a theory that the first small horses appeared in the north of Scandinavia and the western islands of Europe. And there is also an assumption that the habitat of the feral Camargue ponies - the Camargue Reserve - is also their original territory. It was there, on the swampy coast in the Rhone Delta, in southern France, that the remains of a prehistoric primitive horse, the solutre, a direct ancestor of modern ponies, were found.

What do they look like

The exterior of the pony was formed due to the harsh climatic conditions of the northern latitudes with wet and cold winds from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as due to the scarce pastures of the rocky islands.

Ponies are squat horses with short legs and a strong deep body, their coat is thick and fluffy. The neck is covered with a long lush mane, bangs fall on the forehead. The short stature allowed the horses to be content with grass on the hills poor in vegetation, with muscular legs they pulled out root crops from the frozen ground. Thick and warm wool saved from strong winds and cold in harsh winters.

The homeland of the pony is considered the north of Scandinavia and the Western European islands.

Usually horses are equated with ponies, the height of which does not exceed 140 cm, but in different countries this scale is not the same:

• in Germany, ponies are considered small horses no more than 120 cm tall;
• in Russia, the maximum growth characteristics are 110 cm;
• in England they include horses growing up to 147 cm.

How much a pony weighs will depend on growth: the mass of some individuals is not more than 100 kg, larger animals reach 200 kg. There are also tiny horses, whose weight barely reaches 14 kg.

What modern ponies look like can be seen in the photo.

The weight of an individual differs from the type and height of the animal. On average, ponies weigh between 100 and 200 kg.

Usage

It is believed that a pony is a horse intended for entertainment and children. Now they can be found in homes, zoos, entertainment centers and circuses around the world. They are used in children's hippotherapy to improve the physical and emotional state of a sick child.

But once they were bred for hard work: the unusual strength of the ponies in relation to their small size made it possible to use them for transporting goods. For example, the Shetland pony is a hardy and strong animal, capable of moving loads 20 times its weight. Horses carried peat, worked in mines, dragged heavy carts with ore and coal (up to 3,000 tons per year), many never saw sunlight, being born and dying deep underground.

Historically, ponies were used as draft labor and transport.

In the west, in Italy and the Czech Republic, small horses are used as guides for blind people. Clever animals successfully replace dogs, they serve as good helpers for a helpless person.

• Horses prefer to be outdoors, so in warm weather they organize a paddock for them, where they can live all summer. If possible, be sure to let them out to frolic and pluck the grass in the pasture.
• In severe frosts, showers, windy weather, they are driven into a barn. It should not be drafty, because the animals catch colds and get sick.
• For heat-loving breeds, like falabella, it is necessary to equip a warm stable with additional heating; in the cold season, ponies are covered with blankets.
• During the spring shedding period, the undercoat is combed out regularly.

Ponies are unpretentious in content, but need protection from the winds.

Food

Ponies are genetically based on pasture food, so animals are picky in food, but the main condition is quality. The diet includes:

• grass . The main food, and weeds are not included in the list. Horses love clover, vitamin nettle, field herbs;
• hay. Used in winter;
• concentrated feed. It is important that a horse does not get a lot of oats in one meal, otherwise indigestion may occur;
• vegetables and root vegetables. In a small amount, potatoes, carrots, turnips, beets are introduced into the diet. Occasionally it is allowed to pamper your pets with a pumpkin or an apple;
• water . Horses drink only clean water, so it is given fresh, from washed dishes. It is desirable that access to fluid is constant.

Ponies need to be watered regularly. It is better when access to water is constant.

You can not feed yeast bread, it is not allowed to give a lot of sugar and sweets. Ponies have a small stomach, so it is important to feed in small portions, but often. To prevent food from being trampled, a nursery should be equipped, the number of feeders depends on the livestock.

Breeding

Breeding ponies is no different from regular horses. Animals become sexually mature after a year, therefore, when this age is reached, mares and stallions are separated so that uncontrolled mating does not occur.

The mating is carried out when the young horse is 3 years old. Proper selection work is also important here, pairs are selected taking into account their external parameters, the goals that the owner wants to achieve, family ties. The breeder chooses the mating method based on the conditions of detention. If a broodstock of 6 mares is created, one stallion can be allowed to approach them, then mating occurs in a natural way. Males smell estrus and begin to take care of the mare: sniff her, click her teeth on her shoulders and sides. With a separate stallion, the stallion is brought to the stall, the process takes place under the control of the owner.

Pony mating takes place under the control of the breeder.

On average, a pregnancy in a pony lasts 11 months, the duration depends on the breed. For example, falabella in the usual conditions can take more than a year.

It is difficult to determine the timing of childbirth, so the countdown is from the day of coverage. It is important not to miss the start of labor and invite a veterinarian to avoid complications.

A mare gives birth to one foal, but it happens that two cubs appear. Pony foals are on their feet in a few minutes and follow the mare everywhere.

Ponies are born fully capable of locomotion and feeding. After a few hours, the foal follows the mother.

Price

Undersized horses are becoming more and more popular, many owners of private houses with a plot dream of having a pony. Pony horses are cute and funny, they will be great friends for all family members. How much a pet will cost is hard to say for sure. The price depends on the breed, gender, color, external features, rating of parents. The lowest price is 60 thousand rubles.

In Russia, several breeds are popular, each has its own price.

• The average cost of an American pony is about 60 thousand rubles.
• You can buy a Shetland foal for 50 thousand rubles, and an adult horse for 70 thousand rubles.
• A young Welshman will cost 100 thousand, an adult from 120 thousand rubles.
• The most expensive dwarf species is falabella, for a horse you will have to pay from 250 thousand rubles. Foals, respectively, are cheaper, from 80 thousand.

Do not forget that keeping a pet also requires serious investments. First of all, you need to create comfortable conditions for the horse, organize a room, prepare equipment, and buy food. Quality veterinary care is essential.

The cost of a pony foal depends on the breed and eminence of the parents.

When buying, keep in mind that a healthy horse cannot cost less than usual, so a low price should alert you. It is possible that she has hidden pathologies, a bad temper, or too soft bones. It is best to buy ponies from well-known breeders who have proven themselves among lovers of dwarf breeds. This is a guarantee that the claimed view is true.

How long do small horses live? A pony has an average life expectancy of 45 years, but with good care, the pet will live longer.

species difference

Currently, dwarf horses are distributed throughout the world. We list the most popular pony breeds in Russia.

Welsh

The Welsh pony breed was formed in the north of the valleys and hills of Wales before the arrival of the Romans. Small horses were used as a draft force, for transporting coal and peat, and fallen trees. But with the arrival of strangers, Arab blood flowed to them, which influenced the modern look of the pony. The result is a magnificent breed with a large but graceful head, strong back and muscular legs, small ears and expressive eyes. The suit is monophonic, there are red individuals, bay, gray buckskin and brown.

The growth of the Welsh is not limited to strict limits, they are divided into species.

• Type A. These include the smallest representatives up to 122 cm tall.
• Type B. Horses are larger (137 cm), have a strong physique, they are called "merlins".
• Type C and D (cob) . The racing qualities of ponies have been improved by crossing with large breeds, the growth of such horses exceeds 137 cm, in category D it reaches 147 cm. They are ridden not only on horseback, they look great in a harness. They participate in sports competitions and driving, show the ability to jump.

The Welsh pony can participate in sports competitions, is able to jump.

By nature, the Welsh pony is calm and flexible, he can be trusted with children. Horses are beautiful and artistic, therefore they are indispensable participants in competitions and shows.

Shetland

The ancestors of modern horses lived on the Shetland Islands as early as two millennia BC, the breed is considered the oldest in the world. The height of the pony is 65 - 107 cm, outwardly they resemble small heavy trucks, the color of the horses is usually piebald. Thanks to their good-natured disposition, complaisant nature and unpretentiousness, they are very popular among amateurs. Shetlands, along with other breeds, participate in competitions, carry mini-sleds, and ride children.

The Shetland pony has an accommodating nature, therefore it is used for riding children.

Highland

The homeland of the species is Scotland and the adjacent islands, therefore horses are also called Scottish. At present, the breed is the result of crossing with Arabian, Spanish and Clydesdale horses, and the blood of Percherons rushed to them. Horses have become more mobile and stronger, they are considered the most hardened, hardy and strong of all pony breeds. There are both low types (107 cm) and rather tall animals up to 142 cm tall. In the Middle Ages they were used for hard work, now horses accompany tourists on hikes in mountainous areas. The Scottish pony participates in dressage, team racing, and hunting. The color includes all shades of sandy color, less often you can find black and brown horses.

The Highland or Scottish pony is considered the most hardy species.

Polo

These are undersized horses up to 147 cm, designed for riding to participate in equestrian polo sports. A feature of the type is intelligence, strength, high speed. This is not a separate breed, but a type of large pony, which is bred in China, America, England, Iceland and other countries. From the age of three, they are actively taught to quickly pick up speed during the race, to maneuver and stop at the request of the rider, not to be frightened at the moment of a difficult situation that has arisen on the field. With age, the horse begins to join the game itself, helping the rider win the competition. The cost of a trained pony is 10 - 50 thousand dollars.

Ponies for polo are bred in China, USA, England. They are a subspecies of the regular large ponies that are trained to participate in the game.

Exmoor

The species originated in the southwestern British Isles. The horse has retained purebred features, its height is 125 cm, it has a peculiar jaw structure: it has a seventh molar, like in prehistoric animals. The color is mostly bay of different shades, the hair around the nostrils is light. The eyelids are swollen, which is why the eyes are called "toad eyes".

The Exmoor is a British horse. She has retained her purity to this day.

Icelandic

The height of the Icelandic horse reaches 140 cm, but there are also small individuals below 125 cm. It is believed that the progenitors of the species are wild forest horses and Celtic horses. Their descendants, Norwegian horses, were brought to the island by the Vikings in the 8th century. But since then, crossing with other breeds only worsened the quality of the species, so they were forbidden to take out and infuse other people's blood. Icelandic ponies are considered the purest breed.

Horses are distinguished by the ability to move in different gaits, they are characterized by telt and amble, for which they are especially appreciated by lovers. In winter, ponies in Iceland, like real predators, catch and eat fish on their own.

Icelandic ponies are descended from Scandinavian ponies. They were brought to the island by the Vikings.

Dwarf horses

The most famous and rare breed of dwarf horses is the Falabella. The usual height of a representative of the species is 86 cm, but there are also very tiny ones: around 40 cm. Weight ranges from 20, the maximum reaches 65 kg. The animals are proportionately built, they have thin and high legs, in appearance they resemble a smaller copy of the Arabian horses.

The pedigree of this tiny but real horse has the blood of Spanish Creollos, Shetland ponies, as well as horses of English breeds. Therefore, there are colors red, bay, piebald, black, with different suits. They are used in harness to carry small children, but more often they are kept simply for aesthetic pleasure. Horses are very smart and good-natured, they love to ride over rough terrain and overcome obstacles.

A bright representative of dwarf horses is the falabella.

It is noteworthy that Falabella have 2 less ribs than other horses. And when an ordinary mare is inseminated, the dominant dwarfism gene prevails, and a dwarf foal is born.

Summary

• Ponies are short breeds of horses.
• The origin of the species originates from the north-west of Europe.
• The exterior of animals is distinguished by a strong physique, strength.
• Undersized horses are used in sports and recreational activities.
• The maintenance of a pony requires the creation of favorable conditions and high-quality nutrition.
• The cost of a dwarf horse is high, depending on several factors.
• There is a variety of types of ponies, there are breeds that are in demand in Russia.

A pony is a subspecies of a domestic horse, characterized by low growth ranging from 80 to 140 cm.

Translated from English, the name of the animal means: "little horse." Ponies have stamina, a powerful neck and short legs. In subspecies, it is customary to attribute any specimen with a height below 100-110 cm, in Germany the reference scale is slightly higher and is 120 cm.

If measured by English standards, then half of the breeds of horses can be classified as ponies. In Russia, the Shetland, Falabella, American, Scottish and Welsh breeds are especially common. There are about two dozen breeds in the world pony horses.

Among them there are riding and light harnesses. The most interesting are horse little pony. For example, Shetland, among which there are individuals up to 65 cm. The breed was bred on the islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite their miniature size, its representatives have a wide body, a massive head and are able to carry heavy loads.

These little pony horses are widely used for riding children. External features also include: lush manes and tails, thick hair. Most often they have a piebald color with light spots all over the background.

A century and a half ago, the Argentine farmer Falabella started breeding a special breed of horses, later named after him. Similar the horse is smaller than the pony. An ordinary specimen has a height at the withers of 86 cm, but especially amazing individuals are often found with a height of only 38-45 cm and a weight of 20-65 kg.

Their uniqueness is that with each generation they only become smaller. Bred by selective selection, a curious specimen of the mini-appaloosa horse is popular in Holland, Germany and. Because the pony horse are domestic animals, they are distributed throughout the world where people live.

The nature and lifestyle of a pony

The remains of a solutre, a horse that is the ancient ancestor of the modern pony, were discovered in France. Versions are put forward that various breeds of ponies originated from wild subspecies of primitive ones.

In such an unfavorable climate, this unpretentious breed of small, patient and hardy animals with shaggy hair was formed. Then the ponies spread to nearby territories.

There is an opinion that little pony horse more suitable for children's entertainment. Usually they are seen in parks and zoos, in equestrian schools and rentals. However, these stocky animals have been kept since ancient times and used for many types of work and transportation of heavy loads.

These patient animals lived in harsh conditions in the mines, without sunlight, breathing coal dust and soot. About pony horses tell amazing stories.

They take part in sports competitions, compete in horse racing, jumping and overcoming obstacles, winning valuable prizes and awards. A 37-year-old pony named Scampi has been reported to have won a dressage event at the Aintree Equestrian Center in England.

Food

Ponies have a small stomach, so they prefer frequent meals in small portions. It is very important to ensure that the drink is plentiful, the water is clean, and the feeders are constantly washed. It is desirable for animals to spend the whole day on grass, which is their main food, digestible more easily than other types of food.

However, they quickly get bored with monotony, so something new should be introduced into the diet all the time. There are many types of pony food that you can pamper your pet with without fear for his health.

Carrots and apples are very helpful for their digestion; sugar beet, will supply the body with useful and energy-intensive substances; you can also give alfalfa, barley, ground sunflower, rapeseed with vitamins, high-fiber bran and soy.

The amount of food directly depends on physical activity, as well as on the place of detention, living conditions and the time of year. In summer, it is necessary to ensure that the animal does not overeat, and in the cold season and early spring, feed it with high-quality hay, concentrated feed and vitamins.

Buy a pony horse Today, many wish, and children dream of a small horse. For enthusiastic people, breeding such pony horses has become a real hobby.

pony horse price, buy which is possible via the Internet depends on its rating, age, suit and gender. However, the cost of maintaining this cute animal is many times higher than its cost.

But the owners will love such a pet with all their heart, and this miracle will bring a lot of positive emotions. pony horse practically is free can be purchased at a suitable farm, while getting a lot of pleasure and impressions, having previously ridden on it.

Reproduction and lifespan

Pony breeding is considered by man as part of selection. The selection of ponies for mating takes into account certain parameters necessary to obtain the desired breeds. Females are in heat for several days, during which they are ready to mate with the male. The stallion is attracted by the specific smell of the female.

Often, males try to look after their chosen one, starting mating games, which manifest themselves in persistent attempts to attract attention, gentle tickling of the sides and shoulders with their teeth, and also in sniffing. Coition lasts about 15-30 seconds.

A pony's pregnancy lasts approximately 11 months. The exact duration of gestation depends on the breed. It can be difficult to determine the period from the moment of conception to childbirth, therefore it is usually counted from the day of the last contact with the male. It is better if the birth, in order to avoid complications, is taken by a veterinarian.

As a rule, the female gives birth to one or two cubs at a time. They are immediately born sighted, and after a few minutes they are already on their feet and trying to walk. Ponies live longer than their tall counterparts and can reach 4-4.5 decades. It all depends on the conditions of detention and the quality of care.

Recently, thanks to the success of veterinary medicine and the attentive attitude of the owners, the life span pony horses began to increase significantly. Cases of longevity have been recorded. For example, a pony owned by a certain French farmer managed to reach the age of 54.

Well, who among us in childhood did not dream of riding a pony? Not surprisingly, the reputation of a children's horse has firmly entrenched behind small toy-looking racers. However, in their touching eyes there is a huge spirit, and in a small body - great power. Children's horses can withstand very difficult physical exertion and can easily carry heavy loads. Who are the horses with the name of a pony, find out with us.

In the broad sense of the word, a pony is a small horse, whose height in the traditional classification does not exceed 152 cm. The name itself comes from French, where it means “foal”. However, the smallest size is too small to bear such a name. There are a lot of undersized, which can not be attributed to this subspecies. For example, the same low Arabian horses, whose height at the withers may be less than 152 cm, or many local steppe or forest breeds.

Real pony horses have a number of features. Their most important distinguishing feature from an ordinary horse is their disproportionately short legs compared to the size of the body and the depth of the body. Because of this, the step of the pony is much shorter and smaller, from the side it seems that they mince. They also have a fairly large head in relation to their height. For more details on how they look, look at the video from Vyacheslav Kolm.

All ponies are divided into 5 types by height:

• A - up to 117 cm;
• B - 117-127 cm;
• C - 127-137 cm;
• D - 137-148 cm;
• E - 148-157 cm.

Origin story

Today, there are dozens of pony breeds in the world, distributed throughout the world. However, hippologists still cannot say exactly where and when this type of horse originated. There is a version that their homeland is the European rocky islands and the territory of the Scandinavian countries. Experts are confident that the short stature and unsightly appearance of the pony is the result of long-term living in harsh conditions poor in vegetation. This explains the incredible endurance and strength of these horses.

Scientists consider the prehistoric horse solutre to be the oldest ancestor of all modern ponies.

Main species and breeds

All pony breeds differ in type, origin and use. Today, many countries have their own little horses. Some of them were created by mother nature, others are the result of targeted selection. So, for example, typical "natives" are widespread in Indonesia, Japan, China, and in some northern regions of Europe.

However, perhaps the most significant contribution to pony breeding was made by Great Britain. Only here the modern classification includes 9 breeds: this is the well-known Shetland pony, Exmoor, Welsh, Dale, Fell and others. Let's consider some of them in more detail.

A separate group is represented by polo and riding ponies. The first were bred by the influx of blood from the Arabian and thoroughbred riding breed. They are distinguished by a strong physique and growth at the withers of about 150 cm. Pony riding horses are the result of crossing polo ponies with a purebred English breed. They have a height of 145 to 147 cm and are distinguished by a pronounced riding physique.

Use and breeding

The name "underground horse" has firmly stuck to the Shetland ponies. This is due to a certain period in the history of their development, when small hard workers were used in coal mines to transport trolleys. When in 1847 a law was passed banning the use of women and children in the mines, pygmy horses became an indispensable workforce underground. According to historical data, over 16,000 Shetland ponies worked in the English mines by the 1930s. In other branches of human activity, they began to be used only at the end of the 20th century.

Ponies are strong and have great strength: when calculated per unit weight, they can develop tractive effort 1.5 times more than horses of heavy draft breeds.

Today, small horses are extremely popular in children's equestrian sports. There is a real pony boom in our country: it is difficult to find an equestrian club or a stable where this cute horse is not. Ponies are used in children's show jumping and dressage, in races and races. A separate type of polo pony is used for playing polo. In addition, the Shetland pony was used in breeding, in particular, to breed the shortest horse, the Falabella.

Ponies are not as in demand in private farms as heavy horses, and are rarely used in breeding kennels, but there is still a category of people who prefer just such small horses.

Let's find out how ponies appeared, in what areas they can be used and what you should know about the most popular breeds.

Origin

The pony is a subspecies of the domestic horse familiar to us, but with reduced parameters. Low growth (up to 140 cm) is the hallmark of these animals, because otherwise they resemble ordinary horses with a powerful strong neck, short legs and a high level of endurance.

Many believe that the first ponies appeared on the European islands located in the northern part of Scandinavia, where they lived for a long time in rocky conditions. The local population used them to transport goods, and speed did not play any role. In particular, such small horses were often used to transport ore and to help people in agriculture, and their small stature did not matter at all.

Did you know? In different states, the name "pony" means completely different horses. So, in the Russian Federation, the height of a mini-horse at the withers should be no more than 110 cm, and in England, animals with a height of 143 cm at the withers or even higher are classified as "ponies".

Many breeds of small horses, which are widely used today in horse racing, were formed only in the 19th-20th centuries.

Scope of application

At the mention of a pony, the first thing that comes to mind is riding children and performing in a circus, but, in truth, the scope of these small horses is much wider. Often, they become the main tool for restorative practices for people with disabilities, regardless of their age, they are great for hippotherapy with children and can become real friends, becoming attached to a small person no worse than a dog.
There are cases when ponies transported people in teams and worked in the express delivery service, which earned them worldwide fame. Nowadays, small horses can even be used in sports, however, competitions are held among representatives of one type of horse.

When kept at home, ponies often make excellent companions, and if you choose the right breed of animal, you can also use it to help with household chores, in particular, agricultural ones.

Important! Do not forget that most ponies are small horses, unsuitable for hard work. Excessive load on them can provoke serious health problems.

pony breeds

The scope of its use directly depends on the breed of the animal, therefore, before choosing a pony, it is very important to study all the characteristics of a particular animal. Let's look at the most famous breeds of small horses.

Welsh

The Welsh pony is one of the most graceful representatives of its kind. Today it is already difficult to say exactly where and when the first representatives of these animals appeared, but they received modern features after the Roman legions appeared in Britain (researchers believe that it was at this time that the Welsh ponies actively bred with the participation of other varieties that influenced their appearance and performance).
The exterior of modern representatives of this species has the following features:

• growth- 120–152 cm;
• head- relatively large, with large nostrils;
• back- short and rounded, with well-defined croup;
• legs- massive and strong, with straight forearms protruding forward;
• tail- high-ranking and gives out the presence of the blood of Arabian horses;
• color- different, but more often than others there are gray, bay and red, other colors are also allowed, the main thing is that they be of the same color.

Such a large difference in height values ​​​​is due to four different breeds, which today are classified as Welsh ponies:

1. mountain pony(or type A, no taller than 123 cm) is characterized by a smaller head and large bulging eyes, and the profile of the skull is always concave (a straight or convex structure is considered a breed defect). The neck is medium in length, but merges well with the shoulder region, the withers stand out. Legs - widely set, with round and small hooves. Usually mountain horses are used for riding children, whom these animals love very much.
2. Welsh Type B- a horse no taller than 135 cm, but otherwise, in almost all respects, it corresponds to the previous variety. Nowadays, it is used in equestrian schools, takes part in horse races and performs in show rings.
3. Welsh Type C- the growth of animals is 135–146 cm, which, combined with a massive body and strong limbs, makes such ponies indispensable helpers in various fields of activity.
4. Welsh Type D or Cob- the growth of this animal exceeds 140 cm, and the body is distinguished by its depth. Legs - strong, with well developed joints. All movements are smooth and free, thanks to which the horse is used for riding, although it also copes well with a harness.

Of course, the latter types cannot be called "ponies" in the full sense of the word, but they are also remembered when talking about the Welsh variety of small horses.

Did you know? The word "pony" comes from the old French word poulenet and means "foal".

Scottish

The Scottish pony (aka Garron and Highland) combines three types of horses: small ponies (with a height of no more than 132 cm at the withers), riding Scottish (132–140 cm at the withers) and the largest representatives (up to 147 cm high at the withers ). They all appear to be very robust animals and share a number of common characteristics:

• head- medium in size, with a wide forehead and the same wide nostrils, "live" eyes and small ears;
• breast- wide and strong;
• torso- strong and deep, with a short back and strong, muscular thighs, croup - wide;
• legs- strong, with hard hooves;
• color- dark gray, grey, black, bay, reddish-brown, but with a lighter tail and mane.

Scottish horses are prone to problems of the heart, blood vessels, joints and often faint. In addition, these animals often suffer from dourine, laminitis and morbillivirus pneumonia, so their owners should carefully monitor the health of their wards.

Many breeders consider these miniature horses not ponies, but an independent breed of the smallest horses in the world. These animals were bred in Argentina in the middle of the 19th century, and the improvement of breed qualities and exterior characteristics continued until the middle of the last century.

Did you know? The breed owes its name to the Falabella family, whose representatives have bred small horses near Buenos Aires for many years. The blood of Andalusian and Creole horses flows in the veins of these animals.

The exterior characteristics of horses are displayed in the following features:

• growth- 40–75 cm;
• the weight- 20–60 kg;
• body type- proportional, graceful (compared to other ponies, these animals lack several ribs);
• head- large, with erect small ears and a flat forehead;
• breast- moderately wide;
• leather- thin;
• legs- thin, with small hooves;
• color- absolutely anyone, it can even be speckled or piebald.

Falabella ponies are distinguished by longevity and often live up to 40 years or more. Of course, they can only be used as decorative animals, especially since there are only a few hundred of them today. The French, Dutch, Americans, British and Italians are engaged in professional breeding of these horses.

Shetland

This variety of small horses is often referred to as Scottish ponies, but in fact they can be considered a separate breed that was formed on the territory of the Shetland Islands more than a thousand years ago. Since these lands are part of Scotland, theoretically, Shetland can be called Scottish, but at the same time, these animals are not very similar to the above species of their fellow tribesmen and are distinguished by the following characteristic features:

• growth- 65–110 cm;
• head- massive and heavy;
• breast- wide;
• legs- short and thick;
• body type- strong and wide;
• mane and tail- long and thick (protect the horse from the cold);
• color- more often piebald, with large spots on any background (for example, red, gray or black).

Shetland ponies are very playful and are often used to ride young children in riding schools. In addition, they take part in horse races and jump well over obstacles. Life expectancy is 45–54 years.

Exmoor (Celtic)

Celtic ponies are considered the oldest inhabitants of the peat bogs of England, located in the counties of Devon and Somerset. From ancient times to today, they exist in a semi-wild way, although they are one of the most famous breeds of riding small horses, especially in children's equestrian schools.
The exterior features of Exmoor horses are expressed in the following characteristics:

• growth- up to 127 cm;
• body type- strong and strong;
• head- medium size, with large and slightly protruding eyes located on it;
• breast- wide;
• back- smooth;
• legs- shortish, with strong hooves;
• color- brown, savrasy, bay, with lighter red spots on the muzzle.

Welcome to the little pony section. This is a group of horse breeds, the main feature of which was short stature.

Hippologists from different countries have significant differences in the criteria for assigning horses to the pony group. For example, the British traditionally call ponies horses whose height at the withers is below 147cm. In Germany, horses under 120 cm are classified as ponies. And the International Equestrian Federation classifies horses of any breed as a group of ponies. below 150cm.

In Russia, ponies are called horses with a height at the withers. less than 110cm.

General characteristics of pony breeds:

• Strong type of constitution.
• Rather short-legged (relative to body length).
• The chest is deep and often broad.
• The coat is thick with abundant down.
• The profile of the head is straight.
• Often drooping croup.

Horses up to 90 cm high (according to some sources up to 86 cm) belong to the group miniature or miniature horses. Some breeds of miniature horses have the constitution of standard horses without the features of a pony. Others, on the contrary, have acquired pronounced features of a pony. Dwarf horses are decorative and are mostly seen in show programs, in photo shoots and as pets.

Most pony breeds were bred to be strong, hardy horses. So, Shetland ponies worked in coal mines and dragged heavy carts with coal. In the modern world, ponies are used not only as beautiful horses for show programs and exhibitions, but are common user horses.

Various breeds of ponies are used in children's sports, in driving, and are used to move goods. Ponies are often kept in private stables as company for a large horse.

It is worth remembering that although ponies are just short horses, they have a number of physiological features. pony breathing rate 15-30 , Heart rate 30-45 beats per minute(normal horses have a breath of 10-24 and a heartbeat of 28-44). The body temperature does not differ from tall horses, but due to the characteristics of the coat, they have a high tendency to overheat and heat stroke.

Ponies are more likely than other horses to be overweight to the point of being obese and therefore prone to comorbidities such as laminitis.

In this section, for each breed of pony, a complete description is given, its features are told about the history of occurrence and economic use initially and in modern society. Photographs have been added to each breed, allowing you to see these beautiful horses and evaluate their appearance, constitution and breed characteristics. Since ponies were bred in different parts of the world, it will be interesting to learn about the characteristics of such breeds, differences in appearance, temperament, maintenance, feeding and care requirements.