Highland Ponies

suzanne7575

suzanne7575

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Jul 25, 2007
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Scotland
I have always loved the look of highland ponies but I admit i know nothing much about the breed and not sure if they would be for me

I presume they are hardy and can live out? what kind of size are they and would they be capable of carrying a 5'3" adult who weighs between 9 and 10 stone.

What kind of disciplines are they good at. I love to do showing both ridden and in hand but also enjoy dressage, showjumping and XC a novice local level and generally just hacking and schooling. Would a highland pony be capable of these things.

Also how hard is to find a highland pony for sale? As you can see i live in Perth (scotland) so you would think i have a better chance than some????

Thanks
 
suzanne7575 said:
I have always loved the look of highland ponies but I admit i know nothing much about the breed and not sure if they would be for me

I presume they are hardy and can live out? what kind of size are they and would they be capable of carrying a 5'3" adult who weighs between 9 and 10 stone.

What kind of disciplines are they good at. I love to do showing both ridden and in hand but also enjoy dressage, showjumping and XC a novice local level and generally just hacking and schooling. Would a highland pony be capable of these things.

Also how hard is to find a highland pony for sale? As you can see i live in Perth (scotland) so you would think i have a better chance than some????

Thanks
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yes they are hardy and can and will live out. the average height is 14.2 (i believe). they are very good weight carriers and 9/10 stone is nothing really. they are shown quite a lot but can do well in most disciplines. my friend has a highland and she had him over a 4ft jump... as for courses i'm not sure, he wouldn't manage a course with all jumps at 4 ft and nor would he manage if it had a spread on it but with training i'm sure they are good all rounders.
 
This Breed can turn their hooves to pretty much anything. I have 2 Highlands a 13 year old 14.1 and a 3 year old 14.2 who has not yet been started. I am 5ft 9in and about 11 stone and my older pony carries me with ease.
We have done showing a bit of jumping, long distance rides and about 2 years ago had her broken to drive.
They are extremely low maintenance and will happily live out all year. Also as you may Know they are extremely good doers!
The Highland Pony Society are based in Perth and will give you lots of help and advice they also have a sales list. Susy Robertson runs the office and the number is 01738 451861.
I cannot sing the praises of this breed highly enough and if you want to see a lot of Highlands showing their paces the next Breed Show is at Strathallan Castle in Auchterarder on Saturday 18th August.
Good Luck.
 
thanks hairy highland, i pass the HPS office every time i get the bus into perth :)

When i have looked at sales lists there never seems to be too many older ponies for sale mainly youngsters. Although i would love to have a youngster my main priority (when i get round to actually buying) will be to have something that is ready to be ridden. I will mainly be hacking out but would like to do some showing and riding club stuff so would want something older that has been there done that or a 6/7 yr old i can bring on to do these things, but mainly just a pony i can havefun with from Day 1. does the HPS usually have older ponies for sale or just lists of youngstock available?
 
Thta's what Ive found too :rolleyes: All the ponies I have seen for sale are youngsters.

I ride a friend's Highland, she is fab! Years ago it seemed to be uncool to have a Highland, but she is the best:D SHe is forward going, fun, and full of character:D
 
I am looking at a Highland pony here in the states..will see what comes of it.;)

As for them carrying weight! No problem..they were bred to be multi use ponies and that includes adults riding them!

Here is a good starting link for you. You have many more for sale over there.
http://www.highlandponysociety.com/
 
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Yes, they are good weight carriers, and because they are quite chunky - they take a lot of leg up and they can be ridden by adults and quite tall teenagers! They do come at about an average of 14.2 but I've seen bigger. They're great (can you tell I'm a fan!!!) the ones I've met have all had nice even temperaments - they can shift when they have to as well - so don't think they're a plod!!
 
Mature Highlands

There are often older Highlands on the HPS list and I have seen recent ads in Native Pony Magazine and Scottish Equestrian. Prices do vary a lot depending on what the pony has done. If you can visit the Breed show you can often hear of more experienced Ponies coming up for sale as the society are a very friendly lot and always happy to help a new convert!
 
There's a nice 12 year old highland mare on horsemarketer just now ;) i do agree, a lot on the market are young, green and often unbacked. But i often see a few older been there done that types in scotads. Keep an eye on www.nativeponymart.co.uk and http://www.thenativepony.com/ highlands are fantastic ponies, i learnt to ride on one and we had a go at showjumping, xc, dressage, everything. They are super allrounders.
 
suzanne

there is a Highland Pony Enthusiasts board - and a fair few people local to you. if you want the info, you might want to talk to Happy Highlande....
 
The Lass next to us at the Black Isle show had a working Garran Highland, a big stocky fellow who regularly carries a 20 stone stag down the mountains, along with a 2 stone pack saddle!

I don't think even a weedy Highland would have much trouble with 10 stone!
 
Swiftly, why would it have been uncool to have a Highland?Are they now the latest fashion accessories then (LoL)!!!!!!
 
I dunno - when I took the Highland I learned on along to PC I got sniggered at for having a fat, hairy pony that didnt fit in with posh show-jumper types:p

That was 20 years ago:rolleyes:
 
well if you go to the western isles pony club you're the odd one out if you don't have a fat hairy pony of some description.

I love highland ponies, used to ride 2 with a lady who had a small stud. It was great fun.

We now have a pony who is supposedly an unregistered highland, but she's a fairly ropey one. SHe has all the character and temperament of a true highland. She will turn her little hooves to anything, dressage, SJ (well up to 2ft6, single jumps up to 3ft3), XC, hacking, will let the little ones ride, but can be cheeky too. She knows her own strength on the ground, but doesn't often use if against you.
 
Hey Ive gotta highland pony .thyre super! glenn can jump about 3ft ? well thats as high ive ever jumped him . and we have done well in m&ms . glenn can carrry about 16 stone comfertably xx theyre built well . xx
 
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