Kirkcarrion Highland Ponies
Disclaimer: this is my personal home page: any views expressed here are purely my own, not representative of the University of Dundee, the Highland Pony Society, or any other body.
Disclaimer: this is my personal home page: any views expressed here are purely my own, not representative of the University of Dundee, the Highland Pony Society, or any other body.
A good Highland pony should have the basic conformation qualities of all breeds, with particular strength and stamina. The cannon bones are short and around 8-9 inches of bone (circumference measured just below the knee) is ideal. The forearm and second thigh should be well developed, the chest deep with well sprung ribs, the quarters strong and the hocks and knees broad and flat. Hooves must be hard and round and should be black.
Ponies range in height from 13 hands to 14'2, with the average around the 14 hand mark, though there are ponies around which are over the 14'2 height limit and prove good riding cobs. Weight similarly varies but I would estimate the average to be 450-500kg for a mature adult pony. As for colours, this is one of the major appeals of the breed, with most being grey or one of a wide range of dun colours from cream dun (mostly cream), grey dun (grey/cream going white grey with age), yellow dun (biscuit to golden shades) to mouse dun (dark mousey grey). Black is also seen (don't confuse a black Highland with a Dales or Fell!), and occasionally you get fox dun (like a chestnut colour) and brown ponies. Most of the dun shade ponies have not just dark mane, tail and points, but a dorsal eel stripe and often zebra markings behind the knee and on the hock - evidence of the ancient origins of this breed. White markings must be minimal - a small star is permitted but white legs, feet or blazes are not.
Highland ponies were used for traditional crofting as an all purpose pony. They are good in harness and under saddle and are still used on big Scottish estates for deer stalking, carrying up to 20 stones dead weight down steep mountain tracks in all weathers. More recently they were found to be ideal for pony trekking, carrying children and adults with equal ease. Hardy, long-lived and economical to keep, Highlands can live out all year, do best on extensive rough grazing rather than good grass, and require minimal extra feed in winter, though access to hay, straw and minerals is required in bad weather.
All these factors make the Highland a good all rounder. Some ponies are still used on smallholdings and crofts for carting, farmwork and forestry work, but most are family ponies, used for hacking, RC/PC activities, driving, hunting and much more. They are commonly to be found in riding schools and trekking centres, while their kind temperament also makes the Highland invaluable in RDA work. From 20 stone of dead stag on a mountain, it is no problem for a Highland to carry novice riders of all ages, sizes and abilities. Equally, Highlands are increasingly found in the competitive arena - in the in-hand and ridden show rings, private and marathon driving events, WHP classes, dressage competitions, long distance events, jumping - whatever they are asked to do. This is not to say a Highland will do Grand Prix dressage or international showjumping, but a Highland can have a go at most things and will do his or her owner proud!
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E-mail: a.douglas@dundee.ac.uk
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Copyright ©A Douglas 1997 |