The accuracy of ageing mini-Shetland ponies and donkeys was assessed by cor
relating the appearance of specific dental features with the known ages of
106 mini-Shetland ponies and 63 donkeys. The ages of the animals ranged bet
ween 2 days and 26 years. In both species the eruption of the deciduous and
permanent incisors occurred later than in horses. On the other hand, the a
ppearance of the dental stars on the permanent incisors of mini-Shetlands a
nd donkeys was seen at a younger age than in horses. As in most horse breed
s, the disappearance of the cups, the clinical crown lengths, the presence
of hooks on the upper corner and the presence of a Galvayne's groove are un
reliable features for dental age determination in the pony and the donkey.
Specific dental characteristics of both the mini-Shetland pony and the donk
ey are discussed.