The Highland Pony has been in Scotland for centuries, changing a little bit each time an invading army came to the area, bringing with them horses native to their country. Among those horses include Percherons, Hackneys, Fell Ponies, and Dales Ponies. Because of the many different bloodlines of horses within the breed, the breed has developed into two: a small, light one and a large, muscular one.
Due to their stamina, strength, and sure-footedness, the ponies were used for farm work, such as plowing, as well as hauling timber across the land and carrying deer back home after a hunting trip. During the second World War, the pony was used as a war horse.
Today, the pony is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who owns the largest herd of stallions, which are bred during the breeding season.
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| Highland Pony credit |
Breed Description and Uses
The Highland Pony is small, standing only 13 to 14.2 hands high. His hooves are hard and solid, perfect for climbing the Highlands, and feathering covers his fetlocks. His hindquarters are powerful, chest deep, shoulder large, and neck arched with a pretty little head.
Highlands come in dun, gray, black, chestnut, and cream, and some come with dorsal stripes or zebra stripes on their legs.
Highland Ponies are still used as hunting ponies–not the jumping, though they are good at that too, but the kind when you stalk and shoot animals. They are also as a pack pony, and those crossed with Thoroughbreds make great eventers.
Oh what a cute pony!! I need one!
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a pony. :)
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