Highland Pony Breed Characteristics
Notes for Judges
As a Judge you will encounter Highland Ponies in a variety of breed classes:
Highland Classes/Mountain and Moorland Classes/Any Other APSB Breed classes
Highland Pony’s are a rare breed and in Australia certainly a minority breed. Also now registered as a rare breed in the UK with less than 200 breeding mares worldwide.
The Highland is the largest of the three Scottish native breeds of pony, reaching a maximum of 14.2hh (148cms) and a modern adult pony can weigh as much as 650kg.
The Highland is the heaviest of the native pony breeds of Britain
When judging Highland ponies you may want to take some of the following special features into account. These features are the result of evolution and adaptation to their environment and should be preserved within the breed.
These ponies have long evolved as a multi purpose farm horse, later finding great popularity as riding mounts because of their temperament and comfort, also remember a good highland is supposed to be able to carry an 80kg stag over the roughest terrain. Look at the pony’s suitability for these tasks, could they do the job?
- Are they sound? Have they retained the true pony characteristics including good bone and quality feathers and a long mane and tail? (known as the “trimmings”)
- Have they got good feet? Could they work on rough rocky ground? For even though we are in Australia not Scotland and the climate is fairer and the ground smoother we want to honour and retain these most valued of native characteristics.
HEAD
The head should never be coarse and should be pleasing to the eye. A white star is the only white marking acceptable.
EYES
A Highland’s eyes are set further forward and closer than most other breeds allowing better frontal vision. Eyes should be clearly visible from the front of the pony.
The eyes are often further down the face than most breeds). This increases the ability to utilise binocular vision (can focus quickly on objects directly in front of him) – this increases surefootedness, it also enables highly efficient selection of grasses in rough terrain that is essential for survival on the islands.
NOSTRILS
They have wide nostrils that will warm the freezing air before it passes into the lungs.
JAWLINE
They should have powerful well-aligned jaw with sound teeth that can chew rough herbage.
HEAD POSITION
Poll flexion or dropping down of the head allowing the best possible vision of ground underneath him – is generally the natural “way of going” for a highland pony.
FORELOCK
Thick forelocks provide a hair screen over eyes so they can see and feed in terrible weather. Also protection from flies and insects, dust and sun.
FACIAL HAIR
Highlands have long head and facial hair particularly in winter – it waterproofs and watersheds – this should be left natural for the show ring and is often a lot finer in summer.
MANES
Their extensive manes often falling on both sides of the neck reduce heat/energy loss and waterproof the head, jowls and neck. The tendency of the mane to twist into ropes further aids the shed of water.
Pictured below CroftCnoc Campbell a purebred Highland Gelding
COATS
They have a dense double coat.
COLOUR
Synonymous with their surroundings, designed to blend in with the heather & gorses of the Highland regions. Usual colours are yellow dun, mouse dun, cream dun & grey dun all with dorsal stripes & zebra markings. Grey is also a common colour.
Dun Factors are genetically linked to a calm temperament and highly sought after for stalking.
No other white markings apart from a small star on the face are desirable. White markings on the legs are discouraged.
Pictured below Stanway Shona 12yo Mouse Dun mare
FEATHERS
They have long thick feathers to divert water from the heels and lower legs. These should not be trimmed.
TAILS
They have extremely thick tails, which shields their rear and inner thighs when the pony turns his rump to the wind – this helps reduce heat and energy loss.
They have a “Snow tuft” on top of the dock.
NECK
A well-developed neck and shoulder is important for leverage in draught work and for balance.
BACK
They should have a short strong back capable of carrying large weights
RUMP
A highlands well-muscled rump and second thigh (Power) should suggest excellent power and strength. The rump should be well rounded.
CHEST
They have wide powerful chests (Traction) with good heart-room.
LEGS
They have Short cannons (strength) with approximately 10 inches of bone for a male and 8 for a female.
Highlands should have well set down hocks provide strength of support and leverage particularly for harness and draught work. They can be closer behind than some breeds, although not as close as a Clydesdale.
HOOFS
They should have hard black hooves (large and open) with no white.
Highlands are known for gregarious herd behaviour that makes them good for group riding or trekking.
MOVEMENT
A highland pony should give the impression of power and its best pace should be the walk, if it can’t walk – forget it. It was originally bred to perform most of it’s work at this gait.
“Anyone who has been lucky enough to have followed a sturdy Highland Pony carrying a fifteen stone stag out of a deep corry, along gravelly scree and through treacherous bogs, and who have watched how it swings its tail at every step, like a well proportioned man swings his kilt, keeping up a steady four miles per hour, will fully appreciate how important it is to put the greatest value on a pony that can walk rhythmically.”
The other gaits should be straight & true. Daisy cutting and high knee action are faults as are dishing & straddling.
Highlands have excellent temperaments and good trainability. They are sensible & docile to handle and are a willing and steady companion.
Renowned for their hardiness they will live out all year round and tolerate many adverse conditions.
Overall They should have good symmetry as in any other breed. It is important that judges appreciate & understand the characteristics of the breed in order to judge them fairly against others. Their special characteristics are a direct result of evolution & adaptation to their environment and as breeders & judges of these ponies it is important that these characteristics are maintained and standards upheld.