Wish to purchase a Highland pony? Look no additional…

Trying to purchase a Highland pony to be your subsequent greatest buddy? If you happen to’re wanting a journey for the present ring, or you’re merely in search of a bigger pony that’s hardy, versatile and enjoyable, this native breed is certainly worthy of your consideration.

What’s a Highland pony?

The Highland Pony is among the three native pony breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands (alongside the Shetland and Eriskay), however there are actually studs situated all through Scotland, England, Wales, Europe and throughout the remainder of the phrase. The Highland pony was initially bred to work on small farms in Scotland, and whereas some ponies are nonetheless labored in components of the countryside, they’re now used for quite a lot of using actions.

The Highland Pony Society (HPS) is the guardian of the breed and presents the next description on what to search for in a great instance:

“The Highland pony is a powerful, well-balanced, compact pony with all its options being in proportion to its peak. It is among the largest of the British native breeds and may present substance and energy. The energy and sound temperament of Highland ponies make them good work horses and they’re nonetheless utilized in areas inaccessible to machines, corresponding to in logging or to extract deer carcasses from the hill.”

Top: To not exceed 14.2hh (148cm).
Head: Properly carried and alert with kindly eye. Broad muzzled with a deep jowl.
Neck and Shoulders: Affordable size of neck from wither with a great sloping shoulder and effectively positioned forearm.
Physique: Properly balanced and compact with loads of room for coronary heart and lungs. Ribs effectively sprung.
Quarters and Hindlegs: Highly effective quarters with effectively developed thigh, sturdy second thigh and clear flat hocks.
Legs: Flat laborious bone, broad knees, brief cannon bones, indirect pasterns and effectively formed broad darkish hoofs. Feather tender and silky. Ponies of Western Isles sort might have striped hoofs which develop out at maturity.
Mane and Tail: Hair must be pure, flowing and untrimmed with a full tail.
Colors: A variety of duns, mouse, yellow, gray, cream. Additionally gray, brown, black, bay and infrequently liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and a few present zebra markings on legs and shoulder. Foal coat color usually modifications and lots of ponies change color steadily as they get older, particularly these with gray hairs interspersed with the unique color. Others present a slight seasonal change in color between winter and summer season coats. Damaged colors are usually not allowed. A small star is appropriate however different white markings are discouraged. Stallions with white markings aside from a small star are usually not eligible for licensing.
Motion: Straight and free transferring with out undue knee motion.
Capabilities: A journey, drive and pack animal which might adapt to many equestrian disciplines.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was recognized for her love of the breed. She was a patron of the society and he or she bred Highland ponies underneath the Balmoral prefix. Her ponies received many titles, together with the in-hand supreme at Royal Windsor.

The Highland Pony Fans Membership says that the truth that Highlands carry out effectively in comparatively gradual work corresponding to trekking, forestry and deer-carrying means that they’ve a peaceful, regular temperament: “This makes them outstandingly appropriate for the nervous or aged, and so they have additionally been used efficiently as mounts for disabled riders, all of whom respect their confidence-giving attributes. Nevertheless, it should not be thought that, as a result of they’re variety and dependable, they’re additionally uninteresting. For a lot of a Highland has proven itself to be a eager, lively journey within the searching area and, appropriately schooled, to have the ability to compete with nice success in Pony Membership and using membership actions – making up by sure-footedness and handiness what it could lack in outright velocity. With the current revival in harness work each for displaying and for pleasure, the ponies are as soon as extra proving their value on this area additionally.

“Secure, dependable, pleasant, a great, comfy journey, constitutionally sturdy and hardy, enticing to take a look at, and with significantly extra versatility than is usually appreciated, the Highland pony has a lot to supply.”

Highland ponies are fashionable within the present ring and so they have type at main reveals. An instance is stallion Benbreac Of Crolia who was the 2018 Royal Worldwide supreme pony, turning into the primary native to land the title, whereas stallion Stirlingdene was supreme at HOYS in 2012.

What ought to I search for in a Highland?

Gillian McMurray is a number one choose and he or she additionally breeds Highlands underneath the Trailtrow Prefix. Ponies from the Trailtrow Stud have featured at Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) and London Olympia a number of instances, profitable better of breed titles on many events. Gillian was supreme at Olympia in 1987 using her basis mare, Dunrowan Dolphin.

“I’d suggest that the majority potential consumers attend some large reveals – corresponding to Blair, the Royal Highland or the HPS breed present – to take a look at lessons of ponies and see how a lot variation in sort there’s throughout the breed,” says Gillian.

“The kind you’ll need for a prime ridden pony would differ in comparison with the horse you’d want for hacking or deer work. If in search of a pony for the ridden job, I’d need one thing with a great size of rein and a great shoulder, nothing too straight. Then, we wish a beautiful spherical hind-end with a brief second thigh; that is the engine of the horse that pushes it forwards. There are just a few ponies on the market which can be too straight within the hind-leg and it does present throughout their ridden work.

“Like with any pony, we wish good straight limbs that don’t deviate from the knee down, in addition to good sturdy toes.

“Motion sensible, the stroll is a very vital tempo. Historically, the Highland would spend the vast majority of its time strolling. Canter isn’t their pure tempo; many can discover it laborious to come back up off their forehand within the canter. Nevertheless, in case you discover one thing with a great hind leg they’ll discover it simpler.”

The place ought to I purchase a Highland from?

There are on-line sale websites corresponding to Whickr which have Highland ponies marketed all year long.

“Attending reveals to see what sort of pony you’re in search of is one of the best place to begin,” says Gillian. “Then, it could be a case of approaching breeders. Some breeders produce for using greater than others, so it utterly depends upon what job you need your pony to do. Most breeders can have youngstock on the market, so in case you’re in search of a pony that’s up and operating, you must take a look at breed fanatic teams, or the HPS has a gross sales listing on their web site.

“Ensure you ask round to see if anybody has seen the horse out and about, particularly if it’s achieved some displaying,” Gillian provides. “This might assist you gage if the horse is appropriate for you and your set-up.”

How a lot ought to I count on to pay?

Costs differ tremendously relying on the age and expertise of the horse.

“I’d be cautious of one thing that may be very low cost because of the basic value of Highlands today,” Gillian says. “There are solely roughly 250 foals born every year, so costs have gone up. At minimal, you may count on to pay something from £2,000 for a foal at weaning, and you’ll count on an inexpensive quantity to be added on every year. A pony prepared for breaking might attain something from £5,000 and over. Profitable ponies with expertise have lately been marketed for across the £15,000 mark.”

I’ve purchased a pony, now what?

It’s time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, one thing that’s strongly really helpful. If the horse is for a kid, maybe asking for a trial interval can be smart, however not all sellers will conform to this.

It’s vital to let the vet know previous to the vetting what you plan to make use of the horse for to allow them to assess it accordingly. If you happen to inform the vet that you really want the horse for the present ring, they need to hopefully inform you of any blemishes or conformational faults which might affect its future profession, even when they don’t affect its soundness or efficiency.

“A vetting is smart, although a five-stage wouldn’t be applicable for a teenager,” Gillian says. “If you happen to’re going to view younger ponies, do take somebody skilled with you. If you’re shopping for one thing up and operating a vetting can be suggested.”

For extra data, you may learn H&H’s final information to purchasing a horse.

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H&H displaying editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the displaying scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the 12 months Present and Olympia and has first-hand data of the present points within the displaying world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each displaying studies and present displaying information within the UK.