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| About the PBSA |
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The aim of the Association is to improve communications amongst island breeders in Shetland, encourage projects which can improve the quality of Shetland’s ponies, and to promote them within the Islands and world-wide and to look after the interests of Island breeders. |
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The need was felt in the Shetland Islands for closer communication amongst Island breeders and also with the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society and so, in 1971, the Pony Breeders of Shetland Association was born. A meeting was called at which Mr Dougal Dick, the then past president of the SPS-BS, was a guest, and a committee was formed under the chairmanship of the late Mr John Johnson of Lunna Farm. Shortly afterwards a second meeting was convened to formalise a constitution and the aims of the Association. This meeting was attended by the late Major and Mrs Maurice Cox whose invaluable expertise and guidance the Shetlanders were grateful to receive. Major Cox, at that time, was vice-president of the SPS-BS. |
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One such scheme was the Scattald Stallion Scheme whereby stallions were specifically selected to run with mares on the scattalds (common grazings) in summer. Many of these stallions were provided by Major and Mrs Cox and so it comes as no surprise that Marshwood blood is to be found in most of Shetland’s home-bred stock. Another project was the Filly and Colt Schemes whereby breeders were encouraged to retain their best youngstock and to allow their maturity to develop well before breeding from them. Neither of these schemes are now in operation but their legacy remains. |
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To further this programme of improvement the PBSA has recently introduced its Voluntary Stallion Evaluation Initiative which is designed to enhance the current SPS-BS Voluntary Veterinary Scheme. This initiative is seen as educational to all involved in that it gives guidance to stallion owners who value the views of people regarded as knowledgeable in the area of quality of breed characteristics and for others, the confidence that these ponies, having successfully gone through the procedure, have the endorsement of such people. After evaluation, discussion and question are freely encouraged. |
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Shetland breeders are determined to continue to maintain and to improve upon the quality they have achieved in their ponies. Good ponies continue to be bred in Shetland the traditional and natural home of the Breed. |
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