The Shetland Pony is one of the smallest horse breeds (no taller than 42 inches), originating in the Shetland Islands. It is gentle enough to be a pet and is strong enough for kids to ride.
They were used in British coal mines from the 19th century. However, only the strongest males were sought after for the pits. In 1971, the last mine that used Shetland Ponies in the US closed.
Shetland Ponies have an average lifespan is 20 to 30 years.
The majority of a Shetland pony’s diet is made up of grass and forage.
There are five main nutrients that every horse needs:
- protein for repair and growth;
- fats to help in the absorption of nutrients; it’s usually best for a Shetland pony’s diet to contain only 3 to 4% fat;
- carbohydrates to provide energy for work and maintenance;
- fibre to maintain healthy gut function;
- water to prevent dehydration and to maintain optimal function.
Tips – to avoid your Shetland Pony becoming overweight, it is important to choose lower-calorie, higher fibre feeds. Try not to feed your Shetland pony a full day’s worth in one meal. Don’t change the feeding time all at once. Make small changes.
So, here are several types of feeds for Shetland Ponies:
#1 Pasture
Pasture grass contains most of the nutrition your pony requires. Grazing on grass regularly helps decrease the incidence of gastric ulcers. Legume/grass mixtures generally contain more minerals, protein, and vitamins.
Tips – Shetland ponies do not like to graze where there is pony manure. Shetland ponies prefer short pastures to tall pastures. Ponies should also have constant access to clean, fresh water. Proper pasture management begins by providing adequate land area for each Shetland pony. Pastures that are drought-stricken or overgrazed will not supply sufficient calories.
#2 Hay
Hay is a type of forage and should make up most of a horse’s diet.
When pasture is unavailable, feed your pony with hay to meet their nutritional needs.
Forage feeds the good bacteria (microbiome) in a Shetland pony’s gastrointestinal tract. Chewing forage keeps a horse more mentally calm and relaxed. Choose a mature, grass hay that has a low nonstructural carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the largest portion of their daily intake.
Tip – ensure that hay is stored in a dry place to maintain its quality.
#3 Concentrates & commercial grains
Concentrates include all commercial grain byproduct feeds as well as grains that are high in protein and energy. The most common are corn, oats, and barley.
These feeds are typically designed to provide a balanced diet in a compact form. Many Shetland ponies don’t need anything other than roughage and a mineral supplement.
Pregnant/lactating ponies, growing, and working typically need more protein and energy than pasture or hay can offer alone.
#4 Supplements
Supplements are designed to be fed with legumes, grains, and oilseeds. The ingredients found in pony supplements work synergistically to support every aspect of performance and health, including digestion, skin and coat, hooves, muscles, joints, and more. They can come in a variety of forms, but the most common are pellets, liquid, paste, and powder.