Shetland ponies
Equus caballus
.jpg)
We are home to a herd of three male Shetland ponies. You can see them next to our Cashmere goats.
Although they may be small in stature, this breed of ponies is incredibly strong, intelligent and full of personality. Originating from Shetland, they are experts at coping with harsh weather, poor grazing and rugged landscapes.
Shetland ponies are well known for their curious and friendly nature but they are also quick learners with an independent streak. They enjoy investigating new objects and experiences and no two ponies are quite the same.
Like many social animals they thrive in the company of other ponies, forming close bonds and communicating through body language, vocalisations and grooming.
Population
Stable
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Grasslands
Fact file
Shetlands are the smallest of the pony breeds found in Britain, growing no taller than 107cm (42 inches)
The species is thought to have arrived in Shetland by crossing ice fields at the end of the last ice age, around the same time that woolly mammoths lived!
In winter they grow a thick, double coat of hair which helps them shed rain and keep warm
.jpg)
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care, our Shetland ponies are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the park and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation