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| Height: |  Registered stock must not exceed 40 inches (102
cms) at three years or under or 42 inches (107 cms) at four years
or over. Ponies are measured from the withers to the ground,
by measuring stick, and a level stance, preferably concrete,
should be used. |
| Colour: | Shetland ponies may be any colour known in horses except spotted. |
| Coat: | The coat changes according to the seasons: a double coat in winter with guard hairs which shed the rain and keep the pony's skin completely dry in the worst of the weather and, by contrast, a short summer coat which should carry a beautiful silky sheen. At all times the mane and tail hair should be long, straight and profuse and the feathering of the fetlocks straight and silky. |
| Head: | The head should be small, carried well and in proportion. Ears should be small and erect, wide set but pointing well forward. Forehead should be broad with bold, dark, intelligent eyes. Muzzle must be broad with nostrils wide and open. Teeth and jaw must be correct. |
| Forelegs: | Should be well placed with sufficient good, flat bone. Strong forearm. Short balanced cannon bone. Springly pasterns. |
| Hindlegs: | The thighs should be strong and muscular with well-shaped strong hocks, neither hooky nor too straight. When viewed from behind, the hindlegs should not be set too widely apart, nor should the hocks be turned in. |
| Feet: | Tough, round
and well-shaped - not too short, narrow, contracted or thin.
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| Action: | Straight, free action using every joint. Tracking up well. |
| General: | A most salient and essential feature of the Shetland Pony is its general air of vitality (presence), stamina and robustness. |
More information from The Shetland Pony Studbook Society
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