Key Characteristics

The double winter coat enables the ponies to live out in all weathers. The long tail, thick mane and forelock offer protection against the sun and biting insects in the summer months. The breed's ability to thrive in a hostile environment, combined with its strength and even temperament, suited it for many purposes. 

• The typical Highland pony, standing up to 14.2 hh, is well balanced and compact with powerful quarters, a deep chest and plenty of room for heart and lungs.
• Colours vary from shades of dun and grey to brown, black and occasionally bay and liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dark coloured dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs and shoulder.
• Ponies have a the double winter coat which is shed in spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. 
• They also have a long tail, thick main and thick feathering on the lower legs.

History

• The Highland Pony evolved from the sixteenth century with some influence of other breeds - mainly Norfolk Roadster and Arab - and became adapted to the variable and often severe climatic conditions of Scotland.
• It has been used as a military pony, for general farm work, forestry, driving, riding, deer stalking and other sporting and showing activities.

Appearance

• The typical Highland pony, standing up to 14.2 hh, is well balanced and compact with powerful quarters, a deep chest and plenty of room for heart and lungs.
• Colours vary from shades of dun and grey to brown, black and occasionally bay and liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dark coloured dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs and shoulder.
• Ponies have a the double winter coat which is shed in spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. 
• They also have a long tail, thick main and thick feathering on the lower legs.

Uses

The strength and even temperament of Highland Ponies make them good work horses. Indeed they are still used in areas inaccessible to machines, such as in logging or to extract deer carcases from the hill.

Highland Ponies are great for riding and are suitable for both children and adults.

Very hardy, having evolved in the cold exposed uplands, the Highland Pony thrives on extensive rough grazing. It is well suited to conservation grazing, particularly in extensive systems and where the climate can be more extreme.

It is said that sport of pony trekking was started Newtonmore in 1952 by Ewan Ormiston using Highland Ponies. The same herd still exists today. 

Breed Societies

For more information please look at the Highland Pony Society