While admiring our small trolls, as they are often referred to, did you ever think to yourself “that pony really could use a bit of a trim”.  The UK Shetland is well known for its double layer, dense coat and their thick, long mane and tail.  Yet it is so ever tempting to just snip a few inches from that sometimes very unruly forelock between their ears covering well below their eyes.  

Nature’s rain coat…

Fortunately, for these pint-sized ponies, Mother Nature once again provided the essentials for these equines to live up to their true Londonderry heritage.  Keep in mind that Scotland is well known as the country of dampness, fog and rain.  The long straight hair on these unique ponies truly acts just like rainspouts – channeling the dampness and rain to trickle off of their long straight hair, away from their bodies – just like drain pipes, never leaving a pony soaking wet.  This allows the pony to remain dry and warm during the harshest of seasons.   No matter how wonderful a pedigree may be, a UK Shetland with crinkly, curly hair is genetically poorly programmed as long, straight mane, tails and foretops are paramount for correctness.

In Heritage there is protection…

It is Personal Ponies recommendation to never shore a pony to look like their refined cousins.  Often times, miniature horses and the larger breeds will sometimes be shaved or trimmed for an event or show.     Our founder, Marianne Alexander often recounts her conversations with the local herdsman and shepherds while visiting the highlands throughout the UK.  She learned quickly that a stripped Shetland was an embarrassment to the breed.  Shetlands are not to even have the slightest bridle path trimmed atop their head and all harnessed Shetlands are to wear their bridles overtop of their thick manes.

As far as those long locks covering the pony’s eyes – they too have a very important purpose.  Just like wearing safety glasses or sun glasses to protect our vision, nature has provided the Shetlands with the ability to grow long, thick forelocks to cover and protect their eyes from the sun, harsh wind  and the dust and dirt that often go aloft while digging deeply into their hay piles and grazing.  Not to mention, the best protection in keeping insects and flies away from their eyes. 

There you have it - why it is best to leave the Shetland in their truest, most natural form – as nature certainly provided the most simplistic tools for the UK Shetland breed to survive for centuries, despite our diligent efforts as humans to domesticate.

So the next time you visit with our shaggy trolls, you can leave your scissors at home and simply enjoy the lush sensation of giving our ponies a hug as you find yourself becoming lost in their thick coats and manes!