Shetland Pony

History
 The Shetland Pony, as the named suggests, originates from the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. No one knows exactly how the foundation horses came to Scotland, though some theorize that they are related to Scandinavian horses and were brought to the area by the Vikings. Nevertheless, several hundred years of living in the harsh climate of the area has caused the breed to develop in hardy pony.

Shetland Pony credit

At first, the pony was used to pull carts work farms. However, in the mid-1800s, when laws were passed prohibting children and women from working in mines, men needed someone else to help them haul coal. They resorted to the Shetland, a strong breed for it's small size. Until well into the 20th century, Shetlands were used as pit ponies not only in the UK, but also in America. These mines closed in the late 20th century.

Breed Description and Uses
 Shetlands are small, sturdy ponies standing up to 10 hands high. Two types exist within the breed: a stocky one with a large head and a lighter one with a small head. Both kinds have thick manes and tails, hard hooves, wide backs, and broad hindquarter, and can be found in black, chestnut, bay, and even pinto.

 Despite their small stature, Shetlands have a large weight capacity and are able to carry a third of their body weight. This means they can carry a average adult, though they are most commonly ridden by children due to there small size. Shetlands participate in both English and western classes, as well as gymkhana. Some children even jump with their ponies. Whatever the task, the Shetland seems to have done it. That includes harness and packing as well as riding.

Highland Pony

 History
The Highland Pony has been in Scotland for centuries, changing a little bit each time an invading army  came to the area, bringing with them horses native to their country. Among those horses include Percherons, Hackneys, Fell Ponies, and Dales Ponies. Because of the many different bloodlines of horses within the breed, the breed has developed into two: a small, light one and a large, muscular one.

 Due to their stamina, strength, and sure-footedness, the ponies were used for farm work, such as plowing, as well as hauling timber across the land and carrying deer back home after a hunting trip. During the second World War, the pony was used as a war horse.

Today, the pony is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who owns the largest herd of stallions, which are bred during the breeding season.

Highland Pony credit

Breed Description and Uses
 The Highland Pony is small, standing only 13 to 14.2 hands high. His hooves are hard and solid, perfect for climbing the Highlands, and feathering covers his fetlocks. His hindquarters are powerful, chest deep, shoulder large, and neck arched with a pretty little head.

 Highlands come in dun, gray, black, chestnut, and cream, and some come with dorsal stripes or zebra stripes on their legs.

Highland Ponies are still used as hunting ponies–not the jumping, though they are good at that too, but the kind when you stalk and shoot animals. They are also as a pack pony, and those crossed with Thoroughbreds make great eventers.

Eriskay

History
 The Eriskay pony, related to the ancient Celtic ponies, originated in northern Scotland, in the Isle of Eriskay. For centuries, they were captured and used for everyday work: farm work, pulling carts, taking children to school, and many other tasks. Since they had to work all day, only those with kind, hard-working temperaments were kept, and as a result, the Eriskay we know today emerged. This work continued up to the mid-1800s, when bigger horses, such as Clydesdales and Fjords, were added to the breed to create a larger pony. The number of purebred Eriskays dropped dramatically. Before long, the  purebred Eriskays could only be found on one hard to reach island.

 By the mid 1900s, when machines began taking the place of horses, the breed took yet another hit. In 1970, there were only twenty left. A small group who loved the breed began working hard to save it, and over the past forty years, the number of Eriskays increased more then tenfold.

Today,  approximately 420 ponies can be found worldwide and the breed is considered to be on the critical list. The Eriskay Pony Society continues to help breeders make the best decisions. They give them advice on which stallion to breed to, and even transport stallions across the country to make breeding easier.

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Breed Description and Uses
 Eriskays stand 12 to 13 hands high on average. They a large head, short neck, deep chest, muscular shoulders, straight legs, complete with flat knees; short pasterns, small, flat frogs; and hard hoof horns. Much like Lipizzaners, they are born black and become grey as they age, though other colors may appear. Their thick winter coat protects them from bad weather, such as rain and snow. Their temperament is calm, easygoing, and willing to please.

Due to their rough natural habitat, Eriskays are strong enough to carry an adult and are very versatile, making them excellent for any discipline, including jumping, dressage, driving, and trail riding. Their gaits are smooth with little knee action.