Photos: Cute Ponies

To most equine lovers, one of the first ponies that comes to mind when you think of cuteness is the Shetland Pony. Its short, little legs and stout body coupled with a thick, long, sometimes shaggy mane can draw an “Awwww!” out of anyone. (And wait till you check out the babies!) Because of its ability to carry considerable amounts of weight, the Shetland pony, which inhabits the Shetland Islands off northern Scotland, originally received the task of pulling carts of peat and seaweed. Though its original origins aren’t known for sure, the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society believes Shetlands originated from a Cob type pony of Tundra, a Mountain pony breed from southern Europe, and an Oriental horse.