CHILDREN’S WORLD – PYGMY ANIMALS, Pony

Pony (Equus caballus) Pony belongs to the horse family and is the smallest of all breeds. The smallest of the ponies is Falabella, reaching only up to 70 cm. The most famous of all 16 pony breeds is Shetland pony, originating from the Scottish islands of the same name. It differs from other pony breeds by height, ranging from 80 to 107 cm. In addition, it has a thicker and longer hairs, tail and mane. It has a firm and safe steps, relatively big and tough hoofs and short legs. The climate of Shetland Isles is harsh, so the natural selection had played its role in the development of that small, but extraordinarily resistant and strong horse. Due to their pygmy growth and huge strength, they had even been used as pit ponies to pull carts in the mines. In time, humans rounded up the today’s appearance of the pony that comes in all colours. In addition, their temper is stable. They are very intelligent, but it takes a lot of persistence and knowledge to train them, as they can become spoiled and obstinate. If the training is done well, we get a lovely pet a child can ride, which is thus often used as a therapy animal for people with disabilities. If we want to have a male, it should be castrated because it can act unpredictably when sexually mature. Females do not exhibit such issues, but it would be good to let them have offspring at least once to ensure their regular bodily and hormonal development. It is really nice to see how they care for the foals as they are devoted mothers. Pony can easily stand life in the open and enjoys being outside, but we have to prepare indoor area where it can sleep and to protect it from the cold to some extent, where it would be fed hay and grain and have water at its disposal. They enjoy treats – carrot, apple, a lump of sugar or the produced treats. They are good as a reward for a right behaviour or to make friends, but they should not be excessively used – juicy grass is much more appropriate food for ponies.