Highland Pony

The Highland Pony is a native British pony, and is the largest of Britain’s 9 native breeds. Its pedigrees date back to the 1880s. It was once a workhorse in the Scottish mainland and islands, but today is used for trekking and general riding.

Breed Characteristics

The Highland varies greatly in color, height, and conformation due to the fact that a Highland may be entered into the studbook by pedigree alone, not by a physical examination.

The breed is strong and sturdy, with hard, sound feet and a sure-footed ability to handle mountainous countryside easily. The Highland’s legs are generally short, with broad knees. They are easy keepers, hardy, and tolerant of bad weather. Their backs are short and strong, with deep chests, and muscular hindquarters. They usually have a short head, broad between the eyes, with wide nostrils capable of dilation, and a slightly dished face. The ponies are very docile, and intelligent.

Highland ponies almost always have primitive markings: dorsal stripe down the back, stripes banding the legs, and shoulder stripes. They usually have dark points. They are the only British native breed to have these markings occur frequently.

The breed comes in dun, brown, black, and gray. White markings should be very minimal.

The ponies usually stand between 12.1 and 14.2 hands high.

History of the Highland Pony

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. There has also been use of the Arabian to upgrade the stock.

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.

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.