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Cuteness overload: Shetland ponies wear Shetland wool sweaters on Shetland Isles

Michelle Obama favors Jason Wu, and Duchess Kate fancies Alexander McQueen. But in a high-fashion horse race, even the first lady of the United States and the future queen consort of England might have trouble coming in ahead of these Shetland ponies rocking custom wool sweaters in Scotland. (Should we take a gallop poll?)Why are these ponies all dressed up? Some bona fide geniuses at VisitScotlan
\"Come visit us!!\" (Yes, that's a direct quote from Shetland ponies Vitamin and Fivla, who donned sweaters to entice people to come to Scotland.)
\"Come visit us!!\" (Yes, that's a direct quote from Shetland ponies Vitamin and Fivla, who donned sweaters to entice people to come to Scotland.)Rob McDougall / VisitScotland / Today
By Laura T. Coffey

Michelle Obama favors Jason Wu, and Duchess Kate fancies Alexander McQueen. But in a high-fashion horse race, even the first lady of the United States and the future queen consort of England might have trouble coming in ahead of these Shetland ponies rocking custom wool sweaters in Scotland. (Should we take a gallop poll?)

Why are these ponies all dressed up? Some bona fide geniuses at VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organization, thought it up. (Spoiler alert: It’s a Jedi mind trick!!)

Fivla, the white pony, is 17 years old. Known for her calm and loving nature, she is good friends with Vitamin, the black pony, who is 18 years old.
Fivla, the white pony, is 17 years old. Known for her calm and loving nature, she is good friends with Vitamin, the black pony, who is 18 years old.Rob McDougall / VisitScotland / Today

VisitScotland released the adorable photos of two diminutive ponies “posing in their winter woollies,” knowing full well that we’d all gasp and overdose on cardigan cuteness. The agency then seized the moment to tell us all the reasons to travel to Scotland in 2013. (As if the ponies wouldn’t be enough of a draw, there’s also an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, a Viking fire festival in late January, a whiskey festival in May and a music festival in July!)

Working it: Fivla the Shetland pony dazzles in a sweater made from the wool of Shetland sheep. Shetland knitter Doreen Brown designed the custom look.
Working it: Fivla the Shetland pony dazzles in a sweater made from the wool of Shetland sheep. Shetland knitter Doreen Brown designed the custom look.Rob McDougall / VisitScotland / Today

For their part, Shetland ponies Fivla and Vitamin (that’s right — Vitamin!) remain relaxed and docile in Scotland’s Shetland Isles, despite all the hubbub over their recent photo shoot.

Fivla and Vitamin pose calmly in their \"winter woollies.\" Both ponies stand about 42 inches tall.
Fivla and Vitamin pose calmly in their \"winter woollies.\" Both ponies stand about 42 inches tall.Rob McDougall / VisitScotland / Today

VisitScotland noted that the ponies are wearing sweaters created by Shetland knitter Doreen Brown using Shetland wool — “some rather plush knitwear that wouldn’t seem out of place in any trendy city hangout.”

Indeed!!

How do you dress a pony in a sweater? Watch this video!

TODAY.com writer Laura T. Coffey wants a little bit of Scotland in her backyard. Where can I find one of these ponies?!?! Here’s where to find Laura on Facebook and Twitter.

Ruff weather ahead

Slideshow  14 photos

Ruff weather ahead

Winter’s here and man’s best friend is dressed for the weather in colorful handmade wares from Web merchants. What’s your pet wearing for winter? Send us your pictures!

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