Shetland Ponies and Highland Ponies

Most people land here because they’re weighing up a pony for children, a small property, driving, or showing—and the two names that keep coming up are Shetland Pony and Highland Pony. They’re both tough, long-lived British native breeds, but they don’t fit the same jobs, budgets, or handling styles.

Below is a clear side-by-side guide: where each breed came from, what they look like, what they’re usually like to live with, and the practical care points that matter most (especially weight management and hoof health).

History and origins

Shetland Pony

Shetland Ponies developed on Scotland’s Shetland Islands, shaped by scarce grazing, wind, and cold. They became known as strong, economical workers—used for carrying loads and pulling carts—long before they were popular children’s ponies.¹

During the 19th century, Shetlands (among other small ponies) were widely used as “pit ponies” in coal mines where low seams demanded compact, resilient animals.²

Highland Pony

The Highland Pony is a native Scottish breed from the Highlands and Islands, developed as an all-purpose pony for rough country—riding, driving, and packing over steep ground and boggy tracks.³

Highlands have also been used historically as pack and working ponies in military contexts, valued for their steadiness and ability to travel with weight across difficult terrain.⁴

Quick comparison: size, build, and colour

Height and build

• Shetland Pony: very small. In Australian breed standards, pure-bred Shetlands must not exceed 10.2 hands (about 107 cm).¹
• Highland Pony: much larger and weight-carrying. Breed descriptions commonly place them around 13 to 14.2 hands (132–148 cm), with 14.2hh as the maximum in the UK breed description.^{3, 5}

In plain terms: a Shetland is a compact, low-slung powerhouse; a Highland is a big pony with bone and depth, built to take an adult rider and still have fuel in the tank.

Coat, mane, and seasonal change

Both breeds grow dense winter coats. Shetlands, in particular, can look almost round in winter, with a thick double coat that sheds out as the weather warms.¹

Highlands tend to have a heavy mane and tail and a substantial winter coat, suited to exposed climates.³

Colours

• Shetland Pony: Australian standards accept most colours (with exclusions depending on registry rules).¹
• Highland Pony: commonly dun shades (often with dorsal stripe and leg barring), plus grey, black, bay, brown, and occasional liver chestnut; broken colours are not accepted in the UK breed description.³

Temperament and “what they’re like” day to day

Temperament is always individual, but both breeds are typically hardy and sensible when handled well.

Shetland Pony temperament

Shetlands are intelligent and quick to learn. They’re often kind and steady with children, but their small size can hide a strong will—especially if they’re overfed, underworked, or inconsistently handled. Many are happiest with clear routines and boundaries, not constant negotiation.¹

Highland Pony temperament

Highlands are generally described as calm, willing, and practical-minded—often the sort of pony that keeps going in bad weather and doesn’t fuss about rough footing. They’re commonly used for riding and driving, and their steadiness is a big part of their appeal as family and trekking ponies.^{3, 5}

Common uses: where each breed fits best

Shetland Pony: small body, big range of jobs

• Children’s leadline and beginner riding (with careful supervision)
• Driving and harness work
• In-hand showing
• Light farm and utility roles historically, including pit work in low coal seams²

Highland Pony: the classic “do-anything” bigger pony

• Adult riding and family riding
• Trekking, pleasure riding, and low-level sport (as suited to the individual pony)
• Driving and working harness
• Packing and practical work in rough country, reflected in the breed description as a ride, drive, and pack animal³

Care and management that matters (especially in Australia)

Grazing and weight: the quiet risk

Both breeds are “good doers”. In many Australian settings, improved pasture can be richer than what these ponies evolved to live on, so weight gain can arrive quickly and stay stubbornly.

Obesity increases the risk of laminitis and other health problems. If you’re choosing between these breeds for a paddock lifestyle, plan management first, not later: track systems, controlled grazing, low-sugar hay, and regular work often make the difference between a pony that stays sound and one that doesn’t.

Hoof care and soundness

Both breeds are generally recognised for strong feet, but “tough breed” doesn’t mean “no hoof care”. Regular trims (or shoeing where needed), appropriate surfaces, and watching for early signs of laminitis are essential—particularly for easy-keeping ponies on rich feed.

Training approach

• Keep sessions short and clear. Both breeds learn quickly, including habits you didn’t mean to teach.
• Reward calm effort. Avoid drilling; aim for steady repetition and good timing.
• Build fitness gradually. Highlands, especially, can look like they’re coping well long before their tendons and topline are ready.

Showing and breed standards: what’s actually measured

If you’re buying to show (or to breed), use breed society standards as your baseline.

• Shetland Pony height (Australia): pure-bred not exceeding 10.2hh.¹
• Highland Pony height (UK breed description): not to exceed 14.2hh (148 cm).³
• Highland Pony height (Australia): commonly referenced as 13hh to 14.2hh in local breed standards guidance, with outside-the-range ponies generally not eligible in Highland show classes.⁵

Conservation and responsible breeding

“Conservation” can mean different things depending on the registry and country, but the practical aim is the same: maintain genetic diversity and protect true-to-type ponies.

In the UK, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) maintains an annual Watchlist based on breed society data and genetic measures, used to guide conservation priorities for native breeds.⁶

If you’re breeding—or buying a colt with breeding in mind—prioritise registration, soundness, and temperament over novelty colour or extremes of type. Crossbreeding may suit some riding goals, but it doesn’t conserve a native breed.

Choosing between a Shetland and a Highland

Pick a Shetland if you need a truly small pony for children, driving, or in-hand showing—and you’re prepared to manage feed carefully and train consistently.

Pick a Highland if you want a substantial, adult-carrying pony with bone, stamina, and calm presence—still a good doer, still needing thoughtful grazing management, but sized for a very different role.

Are Shetlands or Highlands better for beginners?

Either can suit beginners when the individual pony is steady, well-handled, and appropriately trained. Size matters: Shetlands are physically manageable for children, while Highlands can be a better fit for novice adults because they’re sized to take an adult rider comfortably.^{1, 3}

Do Shetland Ponies and Highland Ponies cope with heat?

They can, but they were developed for cool, windy climates. In hotter Australian regions they often need practical support: shade, plenty of water, sensible work times, and careful monitoring during heatwaves. Their thick coats can also make spring and summer management more hands-on (including timely grooming and, where appropriate, conservative clipping).

Are Highlands always dun?

No. Dun shades are common, but the breed description allows a range including grey, brown, black, bay, and occasional liver chestnut; broken colours are not accepted in the UK breed description.³

References

1. Australian Pony Stud Book Society — Shetland Pony (Standards of Excellence)
2. Horse Journals — Pit Ponies: Ghosts of the Coal Mines
3. Highland Pony Society — Breed Description
4. PetMD — Highland Pony (breed overview)
5. Highland Ponies Australia — Breed Standards and Characteristics
6. Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) — Watchlist overview