Shetland pony

American  

noun

1. one of a breed of small but sturdy, rough-coated ponies, raised originally in the Shetland Islands.

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Shetland pony British  

noun

1. Also called: sheltie.  a very small sturdy breed of pony with a long shaggy mane and tail

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Etymology

Origin of Shetland pony

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

He is strikingly similar in size to a Shetland pony but large dogs have always been part of 27-year-old Amy's life.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

When they got bored, they’d rope rocks, the Shetland pony and calves with small horns, he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Among the anecdotes: working with Lady Gaga on “American Horror Story”; how meeting Carrie Fisher led to Debbie Reynolds calling his mother and the Shetland pony he got as a child named Midnight.

From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2022

Elizabeth’s parents gave her a Shetland pony, Peggy, when the princess was 4.

From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2022

"Business could be better, however. I think that if more people knew how great Buttons was, more kids would come to ride him and pet the other animals. Buttons is a Shetland pony, you see."

From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene