OK, for me Shetland is a different animal, and I KNOW Wally will jump up and down on my head for saying this , and hope she can add to it...BUT...Shetlands were not bred as Children's ponies. They were bred to pull sleds and carry baskets and live on NOTHING- thin air. They were bred with broad backs and independent natures.
Why would you blame a Jack Russel Terrier for killing a rat?? Would you also blame it if it failed to discriminate between a newborn kitten and a rat??
Well, I would not.
Not all kids are nice and kind to ponies.
If a Shetland is treated meanly (not cruelly) it has the genetic ability to defend itself- it has come from stock that has brains and has had to look after itself.
SOME ponies will make this decision at the start of their lives and not wait to be treated badly.
SOME JRT's will decide that cats are rats and kill them, not all.
Not all Shetlands will use their intelligence against you.
Some will.
Surely as in Native Shetlands, there are American lines that are better known for temperament than others??
The main difference between Miniature Horses and Shetlands- at the start, and for me, is that I bred for beauty and temperament, not bone and hair and intelligence!! (Taking soundness and conformation as a given in both breeds)
Today, 25 years later, that is still my aim.
There is no reason why a Shetland should not be a good kids pony, but if a Miniature I breed is not good with kids I figure I am going badly wrong.
Until more Shetland breeders on both sides of the pond, take this attitude the prejudice will continue.
Oh and I changed everyones attitudes to Arabs by sending a few out there to do everything- once I had the Pony Club people contradicting all the prejudice I had just about won the argument, so basically you just need to get a few good pony's in children's ridden classes and ideas will soon change.
Lead by example.