Good luck with your research, it is interesting, Arab x ponies were certainly very popular when I was younger, despite their reputation for being a bit 'hot' and looking delicate, they're really quite hardy, being bred to withstand the high daytime temperatures and then low night temperatures of the desert and their stamina is amazing.
This bit made me laugh though -
And finally we had a Shetland. A tiny horse, but as vicious as they come. Bit me more than once and broke skin. I was terrified of him and I was double his height at around 8 😂
Because they're small and cute people tend to think they're sweet and ideal children's ponies, they really aren't 🤣 they're fiercely independent (hello Houdini Shetlands) and like to do things their own way, and if you try and get between them and their goal, well more fool you 🤣. They're incredibly strong, intelligent and self opinionated.
That said I have found they are the best teachers though because they won't put up with any crap, treat them badly and you'll know all about it! My DD used to ride and look after one (well obviously under supervision) and he taught her so much about how to treat a horse with respect, you really do have to earn their respect because they will not tolerate anything else, and sometimes even then they're little sods.
He put me on my arse more than once as well, and the riding stables I worked at as a teen had a retired Shetland that roamed the yard and terrorised everyone and everything in sight, he was the absolute boss and even the big horses, the goats and the geese backed off when he told them to.
They also teach you how to be quick and read when you're about to get nipped or booted, or knee dropped out of the way 🤣.
I loved the one we had time with though, such a character and so clever and resourceful, he used to stand under the horse I looked after at the time for shelter or under the haynet and actually pull the hay out of the bigger horses mouth as they were eating 🤷🏼♀️🤣.