Horses : HIGHLAND PONY

Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom.

Australian Status:

International Status: The Highland Pony is listed as Vulnerable both in its home country (500-900) and globally by EST.

Arrived in Australia: There was the occasional import of a Highland Pony, mainly stallions, before and after but the first largely reported import was in 1888 of the Highland pony stallion, Glengarry, imported by Mr McNaughton, Clarence River, N.S.W.. Glengarry was imported as an aged stallion and much sort after, producing numerous partbred offspring in Australia but unfortunately died in 1889.

Some of the other imports include a stallion named Scotchie imported by W. Harris of Hoxton Park, NSW in 1890's. The stallion, Hyskeer, a full brother to King George's Highland Pony, in 1921 to Moonyoonooka Station, Geraldton W.A. 

It wasn't until the import of a stallion and mare in 1961 for the Barrymore stud, in Victoria, and later 3 mares and a stallion to the Taranganba stud, Queensland, that saw purebred Highland Ponies being breed in Australia.

Australian Population: 81 mares of breeding age, 96 mares in total and 7 fillies 2 and under. 24 stallions LIVING, 2 of those are retired; 95 geldings, 4 colts - possible stallions - and several upgrades.

Many thanks to Amy Young for updated numbers. 

History: The Highland Pony is one of the 3 pony breeds native to the Scottish Highland and Isles and is one of the largest of the Mountain and Moorland breeds of the British Isles.

Descendants of the Celtic ponies, it is rumored that Robert the Bruce rode a Highland Garron into the famous battle of Bannockburn.

There used to be two distinct types within the breed, the mainland and the Western Isle types. The Mainland type, in the past sometimes referred to as a garron, was the larger both in height and build then the Western Isle type. 

In the mid 1800's the true Highland Pony almost became extinct due to the fashion of cross local mares to travelling draft stallions. A few breeds that were particularly worried about the breeds future started more focus breeding programs, these included the Duke of Atholl and J.H.M. Mackenzie.

The breed's first studbook registrations were with the National Pony Society, starting from 1894. The Highland Pony Society was formed in 1923 though some breeders continued to use the National Pony Society through to 1972.

Traditionally used as all purpose utility ponies by Highland farmers and crofters. There sure-footedness, placid temperaments and willingness to work coupled with their immense stamina, make them ideal for work over rough and often inhospitalable terrian. They are also traditionally associated with deer stalking, being used to carry the carcass back after a successful hunt. 

Breed traits: Height 13 to 14.2hh. Strong, solid pony draft - the heaviest of the British native breeds - once used for farm work, carrying deer for hunters and sheep for shepherds in Scotland and on its nearby islands. Full mane and tail. Good bone, short cannons. Very hardy - able to live outside in very cold weather due to a double coat of a thick undercoat and long overcoat. Sure-footed. Colours are mostly variations of dun which includes a dorsal stripe, and at times zebra stripes on the legs, also black, bay, grey, chestnut including liver chestnut with silver name and tail. A small star is the only acceptable white. Strong robust build, nuggetty with well-sprung ribs, powerful quarters, good gaskins, some leg feather. Wide forehead, same width as depth of jowl. Large eye. Docile nature.

The Highland Pony makes an excellent family pony, being able to carry an adult with ease but gentle enough for a child. In Australia and Britain the Highland Pony, with it's trustworthy and dependable nature are often used as sturdy mounts for people with disablitlies..

Uses: jumping, packing, riding, farm work, trekking, pony club, Riding for Disabled.

Breed Organisation: Highland Ponies Australia http://www.highlandpony.com.au/ and the Australian Pony Stud Book. In its home country The Highland Pony Society http://www.highlandponysociety.com/

Additional Notes: Link to the blog with the detailed census Highland Ponies in Australia - blog with census numbers for 2020.

Foal chart for the past decade https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ITBYj0UhDawC8lkRonYK-Ym23ElDiZYm/view?usp=sharing

Photos: Top; Stallion Tarabrae Mallee, kindly supplied Amy Young. Middle Photo; Highland Pony Harridene at his first show in a slide, he has a wonderful temperament, by Anne Ryan. Bottom photo; Best Presented lineup at the 2020 Warragul Agricultural Show, kindly supplied by Amy Young.

Page by Janet Lane

(population updated 08/05/2020 by A.Y.)

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