A new member

[REBMAR]

I have just become the proud owner of a Highland pony.
He arrives on Saturday.

[ShariN]

Congrats!! Can't wait for pictures.
Have always loved highland ponies!!!

[lh-sc]

Congratulations! Tell me about Highland ponies; I never heard of them before. Here in the US we only have Welsh ponies.

[Julz]

Highland Ponies are native to the Highlands of Scotland...they are around 14.2hh and are working ponies, originally for the game keepers to carry back the dead deer.... They are heavily built - 450/550kg for an adult - and although called 'ponies' are more like horses with short legs.

The Highland pony or garron - a Gaelic word - was a crofter's (small farmer's) horse which could do all the work on the crofts in the highlands of Scotland. Before the coming of made roads 200 years ago, their use was as pack animals for transport and on the land. Latterly they have also been used in carts and other wheeled vehicles.
For the last 170 years Highland ponies have been the main means of transporting deer and other game off the hill, using special pack saddles like this on a mouse dun pony, as well as many other jobs on the Scottish sporting estates.
Pony trekking was begun in Scotland in 1955 using Highland ponies because of their quiet nature and ability to carry weight.

What are they used for today?

Their traditional job on the hill, plus all kinds of riding and driving.
Highlands make an ideal all-round family pony, able to tackle most things but not specialist in any. For example, they can be keen jumpers up to say four foot high, and will tackle long-distance riding or cross-country courses of medium height and difficulty.

Where they do excel is in their ability to carry the heaviest load or person over the roughest and steepest ground. They have an inbuilt sure-footedness on hill slopes which can well exceed the nerve of their rider. And doing all this while living outside no matter what the weather. Highlands generally dislike being stabled. Many still work on the sporting estates, packing loads or dragging timber, and are probably the commonest pony used for trekking in Scotland today.

How old is the breed?

Too old to know how old it is!

And usually take off with me..... ;D ;D

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/j1c/highland.jpg

[ShariN]

Congratulations! Tell me about Highland ponies; I never heard of them before. Here in the US we only have Welsh ponies.

There are Highland poinies in the USA and Canada... the purebreds are just very spendy.
http://www.kellwould.com/

http://www.highlandponies.com/

http://www.highlandponies.com/

I know it is a big no no but I have been very tempted to bred my Grey Icelandic mare to a Highland stud.

[Brandy Snap]

congrats on your new pony!!

I used to ride a 13.2hh highland gelding. He was very cheeky and used to buck everyone off appart from me! (we had an understanding - I stayed on his back for a whole ride, and he'd get carrots at the end of it!)

[naughty_noo_noo]

i loaned a wee highland pony called karen after a bad fall from my own horse - she gave me my confidence back and more and now im riding, jumping and hacking!!! i love her too bits <3 i still ride her now and again, here's pics: