Breed Registries | History & Origin |Population |Area of Breeding
Uses | Conformation | Breeders

Highland Pony History & Origin

Some say that the ancestors of the Highland lived in Scotland before the Ice Age. The breed was influenced by the horses from invading armies, and by various out-crossings. In the past, there were two types: the small and light pony of the Western Isles, and the larger and heavier mainland-bred Garron. Both types have integrated now, and there is less distinction.

In the 16th century, French and Spanish horses, including the Percheron, were taken to the Scottish highlands. In the 19th century, a Hackney type and the Fell Pony and Dales Pony were added.

The breed was originally bred to work on the small farms of Scotland, hauling timber and game as well as ploughing. They are still used for such work, but are usually enjoyed as all-round ponies, good for jumping and trekking, due to their quietness, stamina, and ability to carry weight.

Highland Pony Population

There are an estimated 5500 Highlands in the world today, with most in Europe. Although some are still bred for their substance and stamina, the trend is to breed for a pony more suited for riding and driving. The breed is also commonly crossed with thoroughbreds to produce good event horses.

Highland Pony Area of Breeding

Highland Ponies have been exported from Scotland to many countries and there are studs in France, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Germany, Australia, Canada and USA.

Highland Pony Uses

Its strength, sure-footedness and equable temperament made it an invaluable workhorse for the crofters of Scotland who used the Highland as a multi-purpose animal - for ploughing, forestry, riding and haulage. The sporting estates found the Highland useful for bringing deer and game from the hill and many modern day estates have reverted to the ponies as being more environmentally friendly than 4x4 vehicles. In the First World War, the Lovat Scouts used Highlands as army mounts and they were also used by the military in the Boer War. With the advent of pony trekking in Scotland in 1955, the Highland came into its own and the breed became more widely known. Nowadays, the Highland makes an excellent family pony, as it is a good all-rounder and will turn a hoof to riding, driving, dressage, jumping, cross country and long distance riding as well as being extensively used for RDA (Riding for the Disabled) work. Highlands are able to carry an adult of up to 15 stones in weight. In the Mountain and Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year at Olympia, Highlands were champion and reserve in 1999.

Highland Pony Conformation

The height is 13hh to 14.2hh.

Head should be well-carried and alert with a kindly eye, broad muzzle and deep jowl. Reasonable length of neck going from wither with a good sloping shoulder and well-placed forearm.

Well-balanced and compact body with deep chest. Ribs well sprung. Powerful quarters with well-developed thigh, strong second thigh and clean flat hocks. Flat hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones, oblique pasterns and well-shaped broad dark hoofs. Feather hair at back of legs soft and silky.

Mane and tail should be natural, flowing and untrimmed.

A range of duns - mouse, yellow, grey, cream. Also grey, brown, black and occasionally bay and liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs. Shoulder stripe often present. A small star is acceptable but other white markings are discouraged. Foal coat often changes and many ponies change color gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original color. Others show a slight seasonal change in color between winter and summer coats. Broken colors are not allowed.

Stallions with white markings other than a small star are not eligible for licensing by the Highland Pony Society. No white markings (other than a small star) nor white legs or white hoofs are acceptable in the show ring. The Highland Pony Society actively discourages white markings of any description other than a small white star.

*References:
- Highland Pony Society, UK
- The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
- Fourmerk Highlanders

Highland Pony Breeders

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