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Strathspey Highland Ponies |
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Highland Pony Characteristics |
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The Highland Pony… Little changed by centuries of breeding, this is an animal shaped by its often hostile environment. Adapted to thrive on the open hill and able to cope with the unpredictable Scottish climate, this powerful, hardy, yet placid pony has featured strongly throughout Highland history. Used as military ponies during Jacobite times, for cattle and sheep droving, whisky smuggling, croft work, deer stalking, driving, and riding, the characteristics and temperament of this attractive pony make it the most versatile of our native breeds. ADAPTATION TO ENVIRONMENT A special attribute of the Highland pony is it's ability to withstand all the rigours of the Scottish climate and cope effectively with the Highland terrain. This requires special physical adaptations which the Highland pony has evolved through natural and artificial breeding selection. COAT CHARACTERISTICS The coat deserves special mention. It varies according to season from a sleek summer one to a very thick winter coat, consisting of short dense underhair protected by long greased guard hairs, 3-4cm long on outwintered ponies. The copious production of hair grease ensures the undercoat stays dry in even the wettest weather. The characteristic long, thick mane, forelock and tail help to keep the areas of the body which lose most heat, dry and warm, while in the summer, offer protection from ferocious midges and biting flies. The thick feather of the lower legs helps water run-off and protects the soft heel region from wetting and cracking. Behaviour such as standing with the hindquarters into the wind and rain, offers increased protection against wetting and chilling. COLOUR Coat colour is reflective of the natural environment and would have played an important role in camouflage prior to domestication. Various shades of dun, such as yellow, cream, mouse and grey, with a dark coloured "eel" stripe running down the back are the primitive colour types, as are zebra markings on the limbs. Grey is a mutant colour but is now very common with bays, blacks and browns being less common. An interesting fox dun colour is found in the ponies of the Western Isles, notably Rum, whose ponies also feature attractive silver manes and tails. PHYSICAL FEATURES The physical features of the breed are very distinctive. With a height ranging from 13-14.2 hands high, the overall appearance is one of well-coupled strength and upright carriage. Two distinct types within the breed are recognized, the lighter "Western Isles" type and the larger, heavier "Mainland" variety, with many ponies falling in between the two extremes. The main physical attributes of the breed include a small, neat head with a wide forehead; large, expressive eyes; a slightly dished face and a straight, narrow nose. The ears are hairy but neat and the jaws deep and well rounded. The muzzle is large and broad with wide nostrils and the neck should be well developed, particularly at the base, with an arched crest. The chest is deep and well sprung with well developed forequarters, a compact back and loins, and the tail well set on. Hindquarters are powerful and muscular. Limbs should be straight with short, sturdy cannon bones, flat knees and neat hocks well let down. Good sloping pasterns are desired and hooves are rounded and hard with dark horn. In movement, the pony strides out freely and lifts all of it's feet cleanly both in the walk and trot. The carriage of the head is upright and alert and the attitude of the pony is kindly and of even temperament. |
