ASPC / AMHR

[kaykay]

imo no it is not a fad and what most dont realize is that aspc/amhr horses have been around a very long time!

I bought my first mini and my first shetland within weeks of each other back 5-6 years ago. Our first show we showed amhr and aspc.

We still show both! I love it as I can go to one show and show both divisions

I have recently sold all my smaller miniature but not because of anything except family issues that forced me to get down to one herd instead of two. It was a hard decision but the aspc/amhr or larger amhr won out. Quite frankly they dont stress me out nearly as much as my little ones did on foaling, illness etc

Kay

 

[runamuk]

I would love to know exactly what the TYPE is supposed to be? This has long been my biggest beef.....there is NO ideal other than horse like and under a certain height. OH! OH!

Looking back at pictures from some of my really old Pony Journals, I'd say you just about have the mini well represented as well as the other breeds represented very nicely. My being from Texas, I think that's a really fine QH. Before I saw his name, I guessed it to be a Poco Bueno horse. Sure 'nuff, 'twus.

That's a very nice Hackney and Arabian, and Shetland (can't remember the other breeds you have shown.)

There was NO miniature horse in my pictures

The first three were purebred ponies the others were horses.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Looking back at pictures from some of my really old Pony Journals, I'd say you just about have the mini well represented as well as the other breeds represented very nicely.

There was NO miniature horse in my pictures

The first three were purebred ponies the others were horses.

LOL I figured you posted those pictures for a reason that the "one most assumed" was a mini would end up being a gasp... pony

 

[Minimor]

Good one, runamuk!!

I would point out--showing a horse in a "stretched" pose does not mean that the horse has overly long hind legs or terrible hindquarters or major hind leg faults. Having shown Morgans--who are usually shown in a stetched pose--for years I can say that if the horse looks superb in a stretched pose he will almost certainly look equally superb in a square stance. Stretching will cause the horse to flatten his croup just that last little bit, but if he's got a good croup he will show that good croup regardless if he is stretched or square. If he has a bad croup...say it's very sloping or even "chopped off"--stretching him will not make that croup look good. Very often it will make it look worse, as the stretched pose actually emphasizes that sloping rear end. If the horse is camped out, that will be perfectly obvious even when the horse is stretched--you don't have to have the horse stood square to see it!

 

[MiniHunterHorseFan]

I personally would love to have an ASPC/ AMHR mini around 37in or so. I love the heighth because I am a tall person and it is harder to work with a small mini. I love the way the shetlands look, their build is so elegant and plus those type of horses have the looks and movement that is winning in the AMHR showring.

 

[ruffian]

"Miniatures are a height breed. So anything under 38" in the AMHR is a MINIATURE and can be registered so if it is AMHA or ASPC papered. There is no breed standard other than the size the horse is! Plain and simple!"

There IS a breed standard. It's in both rule books.

There was a comment that horses are being hardshipped daily into AMHA. I'd be interested on finding out that if that is true. If this was JUST a height breed, why have to pay the hardship fees? Why not leave the books open and let anything in? There was a lot of thought and discussion when it was decided to "close" the books. The people involved obviously felt there was enough of a gene pool to warrant a "BREED".

I know there's pony in the miniature breed. But the Miniature breed was developed to differentiate between a certain type and style, not just size. The Shetland infusion is changing that.

 

[runamuk]

Ok here is the amha standard. Yes it gives a guideline of an overall proportionate horse BUT there is NOTHING that defines TYPE.

Standard of Perfection

General Impression: A small, sound, well-balanced horse, possessing the correct conformation characteristics required of most breeds. Refinement and femininity in the mare. Boldness and masculinity in the stallion. The general impression should be one of symmetry, strength, agility and alertness. Since the breed objective is the smallest possible perfect horse, preference in judging shall be given the smaller horse, other characteristics being approximately equal.

Size: Must measure not more than 34 inches at the withers, at the last hairs of the mane.

Head: In proportion to length of neck and body. Broad forehead with large prominent eyes set wide apart. Comparatively short distance between eyes and muzzle Profile straight or slightly concave below the eyes. Large nostrils. Clean refined. Even bite.

Ears: Medium in size. Pointed. Carried alertly with tips curving slightly inward.

Throat-Latch: Clean and well defined allowing ample flexion at the poll.

Neck: Flexible, lengthy, in proportion to body and type and blending smoothly into the withers.

Shoulder: Long, sloping and well angulated, allowing a free-swinging stride and alert head/neck carriage. Well-muscled forearm.

Body: Well muscled with ample bone and substance. Balanced and well proportioned. Short back and loins in relation to length of underline. Smooth and generally level top-line. Deep girth and flank. Trim barrel.

Hindquarters: Long, well-muscled hip, thigh and gaskin. Highest point of croup to be same height as withers, Tail set neither excessively high or low, but smoothly rounding off rump.

Legs: Set straight and parallel when viewed from front or back. Straight, true and squarely set, when viewed from the side with hooves pointing directly ahead. Pasterns sloping about 45 degrees and blending smoothly, with no change of angle from the hooves to the ground. Hooves to be round and compact. Trimmed as short as practicable for an unshod horse. Smooth, fluid gait in motion.

Color: Any color or marking pattern, and any eye color, is equally acceptable. The hair should be lustrous and silky.

compare with the standard for the classic american shetland which has defined type.

CLASSIC AMERICAN SHETLAND PONY

Part 1 – General Description

The Classic American Shetland is a pony that possesses

style and substance. It is more refined than the original

imported Shetland. The Classic American Shetland exhibits a

well balanced strong, sturdy body in a compact package. The

Classic American Shetland has the willing, easy going and

gentle disposition to be a suitable companion for all ages. The

Classic American Shetland is a versatile animal adept at pulling

a cart, working in the field or carrying a child. The Classic

American Shetland is a fun choice for the show ring, driving

CDE events, parades, trail or open events. The Classic

American Shetland is also a fine family pet able to be kept with

minimal maintenance. The registered Classic American

Shetland must possess ASPC Division A registration papers but

not all Division A Shetlands are Classic American Shetlands of

acceptable Classic type.

The Classic American Shetland has a well proportioned

body that maintains the strong Shetland constitution; a pony

with substance in the chest, body and hindquarters. The short

head is clean cut, with a fine muzzle, large nostrils, brilliant

eyes, wide forehead and sharp, small well-set ears. The Classic

American Shetland possesses fineness of throat latch, length of

neck in proportion to the body and a sloping shoulder. The legs

are set properly under the body on the four corners, forearm

well muscled, knee and cannon bone broad and well defined,

with an ideally shaped pastern with proper size and angle of

pastern and foot. The top line of the Classic American Shetland

is straight, back short, loin short and well muscled. The tail is

set high on the croup. The body has plenty of depth, wellrounded

buttocks, and well-muscled gaskins. The ribs should

be well-sprung; pony should have a round barrel. The knees

and hocks are well supported from below by strong short

cannons, joints and hooves. The mane, foretop and tail are full.

The coat is fine and silky. The Classic American Shetland has a

natural, straight and springy way of going. Extremes in length

of neck, body, legs and action are undesirable.

Part 2 – Standard of Perfection

There is broad diversity of types within the Classic

Shetland Pony breed and type varies to a degree from one geographic region to another. The correct Classic American

Shetland type should be based on Form Follows Function. The

more correct type will be dictated by the discipline in which it

is engaged or exhibited, such as halter classes, light harness,

heavy harness, hunter/jumper, competitive driving or as a

child’s mount or pet.

GENERAL CHARACTER.... hardy, spirited and pony-like.

HEAD................ small, short and clean cut, well set on the

neck and tapering from wide set eyes to the

muzzle.

EARS................. small, alert and expressive, set well up on

head and delicately curving to tip.

POLL ................. horizontal just behind ears.

FORETOP.......... long and full.

EYES ................. expressive, large, bold, and luminous, placed

well down from base of head, wide apart and

prominent on side of head. Placement of eyes

should give the head a diamond shape from

the front view.

FOREHEAD...... wide, smooth and full.

FACE ................. slightly concave (dished) preferred, but a

straight profile is permissible. Any indication

of a convex (Roman) profile shall be severely

faulted.

NOSE................. Narrow but flat, blends into muzzle with

gentle curve. A Roman nose shall be severely

faulted.

NOSTRILS.........prominent and open on a small and refined

muzzle.

MUZZLE............small and refined, large nostrils and firm lips.

CHIN..................should continue line from upper lip, should

not be meaty or flabby.

MANDIBLE.......smooth bottom line in mature animals and

wide between the two mandibles.

JAW....................not as pronounced and massive as on some

breeds. Should show some bulge, particularly

on stallions to denote masculinity.

THROAT............fine and pronounced. The insertion of the

neck into the head should be horizontal to

give a fine rounded throat latch and an arched

neck with the head carried high.

NECK.................must be proportionate to the body with

extreme length of neck to be avoided. The

neck should be well carried and moderately

lean in the case of mares, without crestiness;

but inclined to be slightly crested in the case

of mature stallions. A broken crest shall be

faulted.

ANGLE OF NECK ..........The angle of the neck coming out of

the shoulder should be from 45° to 60°. The

ideal angle of neck on the halter pony should

not exceed 60°.

POINT OF SHOULDER........pronounced, setting well forward

at approximately 45° angle from the withers.

WITHERS..........clearly defined and narrow, but not

pronounced. Should give pleasing blend to

back and neck.

BREAST............ broad and deep, but not too wide and flat

between the front legs.

ARM.................. muscular, but not too bulgy and massive; set

forward on shoulder.

FOREARM........ long, smooth muscles, but pronounced.

CANNON BONE.........short, wide, flat, dense, tendons

standing out.

KNEE................. smooth, well blended and in straight line with

forearm and cannon bone.

FETLOCK JOINT..........clean and hard; no puffiness, no

cocked-over appearance.

PASTERN.......... long and springy, but not at the expense of

strength.

HOOVES ........... hard and dense, wider at the base than at the

coronary band, heels open and the same angle

as that of the pastern.

FOOT................. should toe straight, not turned in or out.

TENDONS......... broad and clearly defined: when felt between

the fingers should be hard and taut; should

not be overly cut-in below the knee and the

hock.

PISIFORM......... clear cut and clean; one of the signs of quality

joints.

ELBOW............. close to barrel.

RIBS .................. to have feed capacity, endurance and good

looks a pony must be well ribbed. There must

be a combination of breed character or

quality and the good spring of ribs for which

the Shetland has been noted for centuries.

The ribs should be extended back as close as

possible to the point of the hip. In other

words the pony should have a rounded barrel.

GIRTH ............... when viewed from the side the pony should

be deep in the heart girth.

COUPLING....... the back and the loin areas are short; the hip

or croup is long and level; then the pony is

said to be short-coupled, which is desirable.

These last three points -rib spring, girth and

coupling should be closely watched, for to

lose them would be to lose the hardiness for which the Shetland is justly famous. At a

glance from side, the belly line is longer than

the backline. This indicates several things:

the heart girth is deep, the ribs well sprung,

the coupling short and the foreleg set well

forward which it must be to have the angle of

shoulder necessary for good “shoulder

action.”

FLANK ..............should not be “cut-up.”

STIFLE...............round, full and strong.

HOCK JOINT....When a pony stands with the hind legs

squarely under him, a plumb bob should fall

from the point of the buttock straight down

the back of the hind leg from the hock to the

ankle. From a posterior view, the point of the

hock should be the same distance apart as the

fetlocks. The joint itself should be large, but

neat and clean, with the bones defined, else

the hock will look “meaty”. A pony that is

cow hocked or sickle hocked shall be faulted.

GASKIN.............well rounded, wide and muscular.

THIGH ...............the distance from the stifle to the buttock

should be deep and full.

POINT OF BUTTOCK..........gracefully and symmetrically

rounded; viewed from the rear should be

wide.

TAIL...................should spring from the line of the back, not

hung down below as though an afterthought.

Tail should be long and full.

DOCK ................The portion of the tail arising from the back,

should come out boldly.

CROUP ..............There should be a pleasing, gentle curve, but

comparatively speaking, it is a horizontal

croup. Viewed from behind, the croup should

be oval, not broad and flat, and not come to a

point.

POINT OF HIP.. .should be laid in smoothly to give a pleasing

appearance. The angle of the line from the

points of the buttocks should be low and the

distance great.

LOINS................full, broad and strong; should blend

smoothly.

BACK................ short and wide, not flat, but in proportion to

the neck of the pony.

ACTION............ Free, true and forcibly straight forward. The

walk should be a relaxed flat footed walk, a

four beat straight movement. The trot should

be easy going, square with elasticity and

freedom of movement, that is open and

reaching, capable of covering ground when

asked to do so. Stiff legged extension (pea

shooting) or lack of freedom of movement to

be faulted. Up and down motion (piston-like)

without extension shall be faulted.

SOUNDNESS.... As a minimum requirement, all Shetlands

must be serviceably sound for show purposes.

Any pony showing evidence of lameness,

deformity in feet, broken wind or complete

loss of sight in either eye shall be refused an

award.

COLOR.............. Shetlands may be of any color, either solid or

mixed, except appaloosa. No particular color

is preferred, no discrimination shall be made

because of the color of eyes, such as glass,

watch, hazel or blue. Recognized Shetland

colors are as follows: Albino, Bay, Black,

Brown, Buckskin, Chestnut, Cremello, Dun,

Grey, Grullo, Palomino, Perlino, Pinto

(Tobiano, Overo, Tovero, Sabino) Roan (Bay,

Red, Blue), Silver Dapple, Sorrel, White.

Classic Shetland Movement

1. The Classic American Shetland is a pony that

possesses style and substance. It is more refined

than the original imported Shetland.

2. Judges should realize there are Classic ponies that

are eligible by registration to enter Classic

Shetland competition, but are too extreme, making

them off type. If the entry looks so extreme as to

look as if it should be exhibited in a Modern

Shetland Open or Pleasure class, then it is too

extreme. These off type ponies are not to be placed

ahead of ponies of correct type set forth by

Standard of Perfection

3. The Classic American Shetland has a natural,

straight, and springy way of going. Extremes in

length of neck, body, legs, and action are

undesirable.

4. Motion more extreme than the above example are

not desirable.

Even if you do not read the whole thing you can see the obvious difference, with the shetland having a very specific type being laid out.

 

[skylineminis]

Looking back at pictures from some of my really old Pony Journals, I'd say you just about have the mini well represented as well as the other breeds represented very nicely.

There was NO miniature horse in my pictures

The first three were purebred ponies the others were horses.

Do you mean to tell me you would take that first horse and show against the Shetlands at a Shetland show?

That's guts!!!!

I'm not into playing games. I know there are AMHR horses that also carry Shetland papers but, they're not the same type. Are you saying the first horse is the same as the next two? They sure don't look the same. Oh, you mean by papers!!!! Well, Duh.... There is no way in heck of telling by looking at a horse if it's AMHR, ASPC, or AMHA without looking at it's papers. How stupid do you thik I am? I guarantee, I'm not.

You keep talking about the taller Minis and Shetlands. When myself and a handful of friends first brought AMHR to Texas, we were booed and fused at. Most people brought only their 34" and under horses. I was one of very few that brought the "B" size horse to the show. I was very proud of my 36"-38" horses. I prefer them over the 34" and under. So, don't presume that I only have tiny horses because I don't. I had "B's" and was showing "B's" before "B's" were popular.

I said, everyone should breed what they like but, bringing in "hotter than normal" blood through the Shetland crosses is not a good thing for the image of what the miniature horse is perceived to be. Maybe that's just in my book, but, I'm free to have my book and what I feel is good for the miniature horse industry and it's future. Fads come and go but, the basic "mini" will win in the end. Yes, they look pretty but, how well are they going to stand up to time? I prefer the well boned horse that has substance and can do something without worrying about broken legs or pastern.

And yes, I knew the first three was ponies. I didn't think I needed to distinguish the fact, but the first one is/was perceived to be a Mini because it's under 38" which I really thought the Shetland pony had a Minimum height. Guess I thought wrong there.

 

[Leeana]

Do you mean to tell me you would take that first horse and show against the Shetlands at a Shetland show? That's guts!!!!

I believe that was an Island shetland which is hugely different from the American Shetland. Runamuk?

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

We bought four ASPC/AMHR weanlings this year. Two became new geldings on Saturday, one is a stunning silver dapple pinto filly and the other a gorgeous dark liver chestnut pinto colt. Three of them may stay under 34" (my bay gelding is already over) and will be hardshipped into AMHA when they are old enough. We bought them to add to our breeding program because we just LOVE they way they move! We like performance horses, and need a little bigger horse since neither one of us is a little person! And the two boys we gelded were bought with the intention of becoming show geldings- I LOVE geldings!

My bay gelding was wild and unhandled when we got him. We literally had to grab him in his stall as he ran by to catch him. Then one day, it was like a lightbulb clicked on in his head- I waited, he walked up to me and I haltered him. Now, he's out in a five acre and I can walk right up to him and catch him. He is now the sweetest fella. The other new gelding came around much faster and is a sweetie. The filly and colt are still pretty wired, but she DOES come up for snacks and sometimes scratches. The colt needs some work still, but is much better than when we got him. All four were never touched till they were weaned.

Yeah, IMHO, the ponies have a bit more "spice" than the Minis, but we WANT that in a show horse. My parade/fun day horses are far more laid back. Each has his/her own job and they do it very well. We have horses that do the parades/fun days/trail drives and some that show and a few that do both. We have some that it would take a firecracker under their tail to set them off (and I don't even think THAT would work on Frosty

) and some that is you look at them sideways they're outta here.

Lucy

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I know there are AMHR horses that also carry Shetland papers but, they're not the same type. Are you saying the first horse is the same as the next two? They sure don't look the same. Oh, you mean by papers!!!! Well, Duh.... There is no way in heck of telling by looking at a horse if it's AMHR, ASPC, or AMHA without looking at it's papers. How stupid do you thik I am? I guarantee, I'm not.

I said, everyone should breed what they like but, bringing in "hotter than normal" blood through the Shetland crosses is not a good thing for the image of what the miniature horse is perceived to be.

Yes, they look pretty but, how well are they going to stand up to time? I prefer the well boned horse that has substance and can do something without worrying about broken legs or pastern.

And yes, I knew the first three was ponies. I didn't think I needed to distinguish the fact, but the first one is/was perceived to be a Mini because it's under 38" which I really thought the Shetland pony had a Minimum height. Guess I thought wrong there.

I guess I am confused on your points and trying to understand you

If you cant tell the difference between a mini and a shetland by looking and only by papers then where is the issue???

How do you know that the "hot" horse is always a shetland?

How can you percieve a mini to be any horse under 38 but then say it is not a height breed.

Really I dont care if you do or dont ever own shetlands or not or like them or not it is your choice but.. to say that or imply that shetlands can easily break there legs and are not using horses.. have you watched a modern class? Those horses work more and harder in the 5-10 min they are in the ring then a mini showing most of the day. There legs hold up just fine.

This isnt about anyone having to like shetlands or not it is about choosing to like or want YOUR STYLE Of minis and being ok enough with YOUR CHOICe to not tear down an entire breed.

 

[Reble]

Thanks Lucy, Fields of Dreams

great info,

So you do not think it is a trend and it is better for the performance classes?

Just keep it nice ladies do not mind hearing everyones views?

 

[runamuk]

Do you mean to tell me you would take that first horse and show against the Shetlands at a Shetland show? That's guts!!!!

I believe that was an Island shetland which is hugely different from the American Shetland. Runamuk?

you've done your homework

I was trying to show in illustration and then with a standard, that most BREEDS have distinct characteristics that are quite obvious that set them apart. It is called breed type, even a cruddy arab will look like an arab. Miniatures seem to only have height as a consistent theme, I was trying to understand where it is set in writing a specific breed type

Personally if I could shrink a saddlebred to under 38 that would be my ideal. The current standards do not differentiate on what a miniature should look like so dual registered shetlands and heck hackney's for that matter are fair game. The only way that will change is if the standard is changed and only one specific type is acceptable.

 

[Buckskin gal]

What some people may forget is we do have a Standard of Perfection but that Standard implies we can breed for a "type" of are choosing. With the Standard of Perfection in mind we need to know the Standard of Perfection of the type of horse we are striving for. Read our Standard...I am thinking of the AMHR Standard which states ........."and the type of horse represented. " For me that means I have a choice of breeding for Morgan type, Arabian type, Quarter horse type etc etc. All should be equally worthy of consideration by a judge and will be if they are fair minded and know the Standards of all the breeds of horses that our minis can represent. What seems to happen is some judges get hung up on a certain type of mini and that sets a trend for what gets shown. Regardless of what is going on in the show world, we have the choice to breed according to our standard and still be right on the money for conformation in the type we like. I do notice that many do not want to strive for the smallest most perfect horse in miniature as our Standard calls for but they choose what is comfortable for their own size/heigth or what fits them for performance...nothing wrong with that because we do have a right to choose. I think it is wonderful that we do have choices and can strive for the "look" we like....I just wish judges were following the Standard more and not just choosing what they like. Personally, I don't want to pay a judge to tell me what they like best in the ring I want an opionion on which horse best fits the Standard for the type it represents. I think balance and conformation is so very important and I do have some concern for our minis because extremes are easily taken to win. I do try and keep in mind that some like em hot and some not;some like em tall and some like em small. Preferences are ours but I still have to keep in mind that Standard of Perfection which does call for certain things. I do want a mini that is showy but I don't need them hot because of my own circumstances. Do keep in mind our standard calls for good bone, balance and soundness and they aren't to be skittish. I think heads can get too small and make for an unbalanced horse, I think legs can get too long and make for an unbalanced horse same as I think too big of head makes for unbalnce and too short of legs can make for unbalance. I think nothing should stick out as extreme be it any part of the horse but there should be a beautiful blending of all parts together. Now, can we all go about breeding and owning what type we like and keep everything in balance be it disposition, or body? Hope so. Mary

 

[Reble]

What some people may forget is we do have a Standard of Perfection but that Standard implies we can breed for a "type" of are choosing. With the Standard of Perfection in mind we need to know the Standard of Perfection of the type of horse we are striving for. Read our Standard...I am thinking of the AMHR Standard which states ........."and the type of horse represented. " For me that means I have a choice of breeding for Morgan type, Arabian type, Quarter horse type etc etc. All should be equally worthy of consideration by a judge and will be if they are fair minded and know the Standards of all the breeds of horses that our minis can represent. What seems to happen is some judges get hung up on a certain type of mini and that sets a trend for what gets shown. Regardless of what is going on in the show world, we have the choice to breed according to our standard and still be right on the money for conformation in the type we like. I do notice that many do not want to strive for the smallest most perfect horse in miniature as our Standard calls for but they choose what is comfortable for their own size/heigth or what fits them for performance...nothing wrong with that because we do have a right to choose. I think it is wonderful that we do have choices and can strive for the "look" we like....I just wish judges were following the Standard more and not just choosing what they like. Personally, I don't want to pay a judge to tell me what they like best in the ring I want an opionion on which horse best fits the Standard for the type it represents. I think balance and conformation is so very important and I do have some concern for our minis because extremes are easily taken to win. I do try and keep in mind that some like em hot and some not;some like em tall and some like em small. Preferences are ours but I still have to keep in mind that Standard of Perfection which does call for certain things. I do want a mini that is showy but I don't need them hot because of my own circumstances. Do keep in mind our standard calls for good bone, balance and soundness and they aren't to be skittish. I think heads can get too small and make for an unbalanced horse, I think legs can get too long and make for an unbalanced horse same as I think too big of head makes for unbalnce and too short of legs can make for unbalance. I think nothing should stick out as extreme be it any part of the horse but there should be a beautiful blending of all parts together. Now, can we all go about breeding and owning what type we like and keep everything in balance be it disposition, or body? Hope so. Mary

"type" of are choosing.

All should be equally worthy of consideration by a judge (quote)

I must agree with Mary, the Judges need to have more of an open mind. Let us choose.

We had a Judge tell my Husband at the end of a show, we should get into taller horses because our Stallion only 32.25" will never be able to extend like the taller ones. He also went as far as told us to see if the winner of the driving class, had a colt for us to buy. He did not know the persons he was talking about had one of our colts coming up in the next couple of years to breed and drive....

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

Thanks Lucy, Fields of Dreams

great info,

So you do not think it is a trend and it is better for the performance classes?

Just keep it nice ladies do not mind hearing everyones views?

I don't think it's a trend, I think that people are finally realising that pony=junk is just not true anymore. And that "pony" does NOT mean stubby-legged, barrel bellied, mean, nasty creature. When we had Chet gelded on Sat the tech couldn't believe that he was a purebred Shetland pony. Nope, he's not stubby, just the opposite, as his legs go on forever! And several people that were at the clinic with their big horses couldn't understand that these kind, quiet fellas were Shetlands. "But ponies are mean" was what WE heard...

I like them for the performance classes because of the way they move, a bit more "fire', maybe is what I'm trying to say. Chet is destined to be my driving horse. HOPEFULLY he'll have enough pizazz for single pleasure, I'm positive he WON'T replace my western CP horse....

Lucy

 

[HGFarm]

I have not read all the posts yet, but my horses are AMHA/AMHR 34 or less because that is what I like. I still mostly show AMHR, but show both and like both. I have seen some really handsome Shetlands, but I like what I like, as everyone has their own preferences.

I do know a few folks that have Shetlands, and the FEW that I know seem pretty full of themselves.. but can't really state an opinion as to just how 'hot' they really are.

I think the R horses have caught on more in recent years. A few years ago you couldnt give one away here- we had no shows and no one really had them much at all, except for pets. Once they started having shows here, etc... they have really grown in popularity. Dont know if other regions are the same???