The ponies are registered with the Gotlandruss Pony Preservation Society and/or Equus Survival Trust. Gotlandruss ponies are intelligent and lively, but unusually gentle, and easy to breed, train, and handle. This makes them a perfect children's mount. They also excel in dressage, driving, trotting, jumping, and working with people with special needs. An average Gotland pony is about 11.3 to 12.2
hands. The Gotlandruss Pony Preservation Society sets a maximum height for purebred Gotlands at 13 hands. Since this is an ancient breed, the dorsal stripe and 'zebra' leg marking, with an occasional 'face mask' are sometimes seen. Small stripes, snips, stars, or streaks are permitted on the forehead, as well as an occasional white coronet or pastern. The eyes should be large and wide-set, yet bright and expressive. The ears should be of medium size, well-set, and lively. The head should be of medium size, with a broad forehead, tapering evenly to a shapely muzzle with large, well-defined nostrils, and firm even lips. . The neck should show depth without coarseness, and be smoothly joined to the head and body. The breast is muscular and deep, leading to a deep chest with well-sprung ribs. The shoulder is long and sloping, and joins smoothly with the well-defined withers. The back is of medium length, muscular and smooth, with a loin that is wide, long, and muscular. The frame is generally light and narrow, with heavily muscled sloping quarters, leading to their trademark low-set tail. Thighs and gaskins are muscular and strong; hocks and knees are broad and sturdy. The legs have a clean, chiseled appearance, with dense bone and good tendons. The pastern is sloping, and shows a pronounced elasticity of movement. The hoof is round and arched, with a good heel and frog, and is unusually tough and stong. Chestnuts may be missing. The hide is elastic, with a very short and smooth summer hair, and a dense, warm winter coat. The mane and tail are full, and fetlock-feathering is light. Gotlands are free and elastic at all gaits. The walk is smooth and energetic; the trot is prompt, reaching, and square; the gallop should be airy and light. At all gaits, the impression should be one of ease and lightness.
