HIGHLAND PONY BREED DESCRIPTION
Highland Pony Characteristics
The Highland Pony is one of the two native pony breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. It has adapted over many centuries to the variable and often severe climatic and environmental conditions of Scotland. The winter coat consists of a layer of strong, badger like hair over a soft, dense undercoat which enables this breed of pony to live out in all weathers. This coat is shed in the spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. This essential hardiness is combined with a kindly nature and an even temperament.
Highland Pony Breed Description
The Highland Pony is a strong, well balanced, compact pony with all its features being in proportion to its height. It is one of the largest of the British Native Breeds and should show substance and strength.
HEIGHT: Not to exceed 14.2hh (148cms).
HEAD: Well carried and alert with kindly eye. Broad muzzled with a deep jowl.
NECK AND SHOULDERS: Reasonable length of neck from wither with a good sloping shoulder and well placed forearm.
BODY: Well balanced and compact with plenty of room for heart and lungs. Ribs well sprung.
QUARTERS AND HINDLEGS: Powerful quarters with well developed thigh, strong second thigh and clean flat hocks.
LEGS: Flat hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones, oblique pasterns and well shaped broad dark hoofs. Feather soft and silky.
MANE AND TAIL: Hair should be natural, flowing and untrimmed with a full tail.
COLOURS: A range of duns, mouse, yellow, grey, cream. Also grey, brown, black, bay and occasionally liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs and shoulder. Foal coat colour often changes and many ponies change colour gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original colour. Others show a slight seasonal change in colour between winter and summer coats. Broken colours are not allowed. A small star is acceptable but other white markings are discouraged.
N.B. STALLIONS with white markings other than a small star are NOT eligible for licensing.
ACTION: Straight and free moving without undue knee action.
CAPABILITIES: A ride, drive and pack animal which can adapt to many equestrian disciplines.
The Highland Pony is one of the two native pony breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. It has adapted over many centuries to the variable and often severe climatic and environmental conditions of Scotland. The winter coat consists of a layer of strong, badger like hair over a soft, dense undercoat which enables this breed of pony to live out in all weathers. This coat is shed in the spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. This essential hardiness is combined with a kindly nature and an even temperament.
Highland Pony Breed Description
The Highland Pony is a strong, well balanced, compact pony with all its features being in proportion to its height. It is one of the largest of the British Native Breeds and should show substance and strength.
HEIGHT: Not to exceed 14.2hh (148cms).
HEAD: Well carried and alert with kindly eye. Broad muzzled with a deep jowl.
NECK AND SHOULDERS: Reasonable length of neck from wither with a good sloping shoulder and well placed forearm.
BODY: Well balanced and compact with plenty of room for heart and lungs. Ribs well sprung.
QUARTERS AND HINDLEGS: Powerful quarters with well developed thigh, strong second thigh and clean flat hocks.
LEGS: Flat hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones, oblique pasterns and well shaped broad dark hoofs. Feather soft and silky.
MANE AND TAIL: Hair should be natural, flowing and untrimmed with a full tail.
COLOURS: A range of duns, mouse, yellow, grey, cream. Also grey, brown, black, bay and occasionally liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs and shoulder. Foal coat colour often changes and many ponies change colour gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original colour. Others show a slight seasonal change in colour between winter and summer coats. Broken colours are not allowed. A small star is acceptable but other white markings are discouraged.
N.B. STALLIONS with white markings other than a small star are NOT eligible for licensing.
ACTION: Straight and free moving without undue knee action.
CAPABILITIES: A ride, drive and pack animal which can adapt to many equestrian disciplines.