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Highland Pony |
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Highland Pony |
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The modern Highland pony has developed as a result of numerous outcrosses, though its origins are of great antiquity. Without a doubt, the breed is very old and it is possible that its descent can be connected with the North European Horse. The famous cave drawings at Lacaux, France, that are thought to be 15 to 20,000 years old, depict horses which are very similar in color (particularly the variations of
dun) and conformation to some of the modern Highlands.
Over the years much use has been made of outside blood. Percheron and Clydesdale crosses were used with some regularity and in the 16th Century, the Highlands were improved by French horses sent to James IV of Scotland by the French King Louis XII. The greatest influence, however, was the use of Oriental blood and certainly the Dukes of Athall, who for centuries bred the Highland selectively, used Oriental horses as early as the 1500s. The first recorded stallion bred by the Dukes of Athall was a piebald named Morelle who was foaled in 1853. His son Glen Tilt and grandson Glengarry I made significant contributions to the breed. But probably the most famous of the Athall Stud stallions was the great Herd Laddie. He was sired of King George V's famous pony Jack.
The strong Highland pony was Scotland's original all-purpose horse, and it retains this versatility. Highlands are first-rate riding ponies, up-to-weight and surefooted in the most treacherous conditions. Hundreds are employed for trekking--a Scottish invention, similar to American trailriding. They work in harness and forestry, carry panniers of game and are strong enough (and sufficiently unflappable) to carry deer carcasses weighing up to 250 pounds, when the deer herds are culled. Highland ponies are easy keepers, thriving on rough pasture and needing little extra feed. They have an ability to cross boggy land and are innately surefooted. Sound as a bell and free form hereditary disease, the Highland Pony is a particularly long-lived breed. It is, moreover. docile and affectionate without being dull.
A good Highland pony shows nothing of the early Clydesdale influence. It is wide in the forehead, short between the eyes and muzzle, with good nostrils and a kindly expression. The neck is strong, but never short, and the throat is clean. They have short cannons with hard, flat bones, and are very strong in the forearm. the knees are large and flat with silky feather (never coarse) ending in a prominent tuft at the fetlock. Tails are usually set high and like the mane and feather, are a fine and silky to the touch.
Few breeds have such a range of colors as the Highland pony. There are
duns, mouse, yellow, gold,
cream and fox. There are
greys,
blacks,
browns, sometimes
bays, and occasionally, striking
liver chestnuts with silver manes and tails. Most have dorsal eel-stripes and some have zebra markings on the legs. Though the first recorded sire, Morelle, was a piebald, this color is no longer permitted in the breed.
The compact formation of the Highland pony, as well as it's equable temperament, constitute an excellent base for crossing with the Thoroughbred. The first cross produces a sensible hunter, the second, a potential competition horse. They do not exceed 14.2 hands high.
A bit of history: In the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902), both the Lovat Scouts and the Marquis of Tullibardine's Scottish Horse were mounted on Highland ponies.
For more information on Highland Ponies, visit:
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© 1993-2007 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 2/19/2018 |
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