My little pony: Huge Shire horse becomes stable mates with Shetland pony who's HALF her size

  • Shona, a miniature Shetland pony made friends with Anna, a horse twice her size
  • The unlikely duo from Cheshire are tallest and shortest residents at the stud farm
  • There is 44 inches between them but they can often be found playing together

An adorable miniature Shetland pony has found friendship with a huge Shire horse who is more than twice her size.

Standing at just 32 inches tall you might assume Shona, the 28-year-old Shetland pony, would be intimidated by Anna, the six-year-old Shire horse - who stands at a whopping 19 hands high or 76 inches tall.

However, the pair, who live at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre near Tarporley in Cheshire, have become best pals.

An adorable 32-inch tall miniature Shetland pony called Shona has found friendship with Anna, a huge 76-inch tall Shire horse - more than twice her size

An adorable 32-inch tall miniature Shetland pony called Shona has found friendship with Anna, a huge 76-inch tall Shire horse - more than twice her size

They can often be found playing together, sleeping next to each other and even eating out of the same trough.

The unlikely duo are the tallest and shortest residents at the stud farm but immediately hit it off when Anna was born six years ago and have been virtually inseparable ever since.

Janet King, 63, who runs the Shire stud farm and visitor attraction with her husband Alistair, 73, said: 'They really are little and large.

'Shona, who is 28 now, has the run of the farm and it was clear from day one she preferred the company of the Shire horses to her fellow Shetland ponies.

The unlikely duo who live at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre in Cheshire are the tallest and shortest residents at the stud farm can often be found playing together.

The unlikely duo who live at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre in Cheshire are the tallest and shortest residents at the stud farm can often be found playing together.

'However, she took a real shine to Anna and they seem to love each other's company.

'Shona is so small she can run under Anna's belly, it's lovely to watch.

'When Anna was heavily pregnant, she just wouldn't settle at all and it was only when Shona came to be with her that she finally relaxed and settled down. 

'She obviously just wanted her best friend close by.

Despite the 44 inch height difference and the age gap, of 22 years, they can often be found playing together and are virtually inseparable

Despite the 44 inch height difference and the age gap, of 22 years, they can often be found playing together and are virtually inseparable

'Her foal was bigger than Shona when he was a newborn and Anna let Shona come very close to him which is quite unusual but just goes to show what a strong bond they have.

'Anna is quite a diva and is a bit of a baby when it comes to some things considering her size. 

'She likes having a lot of fuss and that's probably why she likes having Shona around so much - she enjoys the attention.'

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