Is
a Highland pony for you?
Questions and answers that may help you decide if a Highland Pony
is the partner you're looking for. This information is based on my personal
experience with Highlands and other owners & their ponies.
This
is a pony, right? That's for kids!
WRONG! They are VERY large ponies! A 14.0 hd. Highland can easily weight
1000lbs or more, and carry most adults with ease. It's true that this
breed is a pony with it's height ranging from 13.0 to 14.2. BUT this
"pony" breed is the largest British Native Pony with draft
mixed in it's back-ground. They are large boned, large bodied, and strong.
You actually need a bit of leg to get it around them, so even average
adults can have issues with lack of leg on a Highland. In the UK, Highlands
are ridden by many adults, but there are certainly plenty ridden by
children too. Often a mother and daughter will compete using the same
pony.
What
can I do with a Highland Pony? What are they used for?
The Highland is used for any number of disciplines from trail riding,
to fox hunting, driving, Dressage, Pony Club, etc... You won't be doing
much 5 - 6 foot stadium jumping on a Highland, but they are ideal for
someone who would like to compete at lower levels of any discipline.
Talents vary from pony to pony, but many Highlands LOVE jumping and
make great Hunters. Some move very well and are competitive against
Warmbloods in the Dressage arena. Some Highlands work cattle too! Highlands
were originally farm ponies and were used for everything from riding
& driving the family into town to ploughing and timbering, so they
are great versatile, all-rounder ponies.
What
kind of temperament do they have?
Again, this will vary from pony to pony, but keep in mind a Highland
is more like a Cold Blooded horse. They tend to be laid
back and steady, but still retain the Native Pony intelligence and toughness.
They are very smart and usually easily trained. A Highland will tend
to bond with you and trust you in times of trouble (this is a VERY helpful
trait!). One thing to keep in mind is they do have a draft heritage
and are very strong. This means that when a Highland misbehaves, it
can sometimes be in the form of pushing their way out of a situation
- like through a fence or past you! Like all horses and ponies, Highlands
must be trained and taught to behave, to tie, to stand, etc... Because
of their substance and steady nature, many people in Scotland get their
very first ride on a Highland. Many Highlands are used at Trekking centers,
riding centers, and in Riding for the Disabled programs. FYI... a good
trekking pony is usually ridden for 2 to 3 years before it's ever used
as a working pony. (pictured above, left a youngster getting his first
pony ride on a Highland Pony at Blair Castle Trekking Center in Scotland).
Is
it true anyone can ride a Highland?
Although it's true that there are well trained and suitable Highlands
for the entire family, each pony is different. Some Highlands are very
steady and laid-back, while others are very forward & keen. You
should make sure ANY animal you think about getting,
regardless of breed, is individually suited to your
needs & experience. If buying young stock, make sure you are prepared
to get help with training and plan for that contingency.
Is
it true that Highlands can live on air?
NO! NO! and NO! Highlands DO need to eat and drink water too :-) Some
Highlands can appear to live on air, but of course they need to
eat! Like ALL equines they need water and fiber in their diet.
Most Highlands do fine with just grass/ hay diets. Some can't be on
grass 24/7 and need to be off grass and hay for a portion of the day.
I recommend anyone planning to own a Highland have a paddock so they
can keep their pony off grass if necessary. If your Highland is in work,
it may need more food to keep it in good flesh and may even need a bit
of grain. Feeding should be according to the needs of your individual
pony and their activity level. Lactating mares and breeding stallions
need special considerations as well.
So
why do YOU have Highland Ponies?
I
have Highlands because they are the perfect animal for me. I've always
been a "pony person" and have always enjoyed the extra personality
that ponies tend to have. Some people don't like an animal that can
laugh at them, but I always seem to be laughing "with" my
ponies. And that's part of it, Highlands have a sense of humor. Also,
another owner pointed out to me that they thought of Highlands as "the
dogs of the horse world". What they meant was that Highlands are
more like companion animals. They are "with you", not just
a ride. Highlands love to have fun and many of the things you think
as fun are for them too. This is another thing Highland owners enjoy
about their ponies. If you're out enjoying a nice hack, it would be
nice to think your pony is too. And with a Highland, both of you are
most likely enjoying that ride (pictured at left: Kellwould Tilly helps
with gate repair - a typical in-your-face Highland moment:-).
Also, I'm an "extra" large 5'5" lady and a Highland can carry me just fine. I'm not looking to do advanced cross country riding, jump a 5 foot fence, or compete at Olympic Dressage levels, so a Highland is suitable for my needs. I'm not easily impressed by a 17.0 hand horse that's lame 6 months of the year and I can't get a bridle on because he lifts his head!! ( I think I'd get vertigo being up that high anyway :-) AND being a busy person, when I can't ride for a week or two (or longer!), I don't have to worry about getting on my Highland. They're pretty much the same as the last time I rode them... very big plus for us older, full-time workers!! :-)
I have worked with Thoroughbreds when I was younger, doing Hunter courses, a little cross country, and Dressage with them and other breeds. I just really got to the point that I wanted to enjoy myself and not worry about the animal under me so much. My Highlands will walk when I tell them to walk and trot when I tell them to trot and stop and stand when asked to stop and stand. They also like a good gallop every now and then too. Me too! :-)
And
finally, after managing in several barns in my youth, I really appreciate
an economical animal. I remember feeding those Thoroughbreds anything
and everything and STILL not keeping the weight on them. Of course,
with Highlands it's the other way around, but I find it much easier
on the pocket to not feed much :-) And with the great feet they have
we rarely shoe unless it's needed for some reason. Our stallion has
never been shod - even in consistent, hard work.
The reason I've dedicated myself to bringing this breed to the USA is that I feel strongly that we are loosing some of the most important things in our equine population - temperament and soundness. In trying to breed that "pretty" show horse or pony, I think we have thrown the baby out with the bath water in many cases. I have seen it happen with everything in the USA from dogs to horses, so I expect the Highland to eventually feel the influence of "show breeding". But I will do my best to breed a sound, economical animal that is a joy to ride and be around.
It's
time to admit that most of us just want to "Go
ride and have fun!" And
a Highland can do that for you.
If any of the above is true for you, you may be the perfect person to
enjoy owning a Highland Pony!
Highland Pony Enthusiast Club of America (HPECA).
Email our Secretary, Sandy Mairs.
Email
us at: 
