Is anyone familiar with Highland ponies? I am finding info on the Web that states they can carry 250+ lbs
(allegedly they are bred to be able to carry a standard stag following the hunt, and apparently a stag weights around 250_ lbs). Sturdy little equines!
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They are called ponies but they average around the weight of a standard horse. Reminds me of a Qh in that shorter doesn’t mean small. 250 lbs seems reasonable for the limited distance needed to transport on a sporadic basis before we had cars. The idea of a stag plus rider feels unfair for a horse of any size to me as that would be pushing 400 lbs or more and half of it being literal dead weight.
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There’s a barn near me that breeds/shows them. I see them out a good bit at local dressage shows, and they seem to have no issue carrying a normally sized adult woman. Not sure about a precise weight capacity, but I would think like any equine, a lot depends on the skill and balance of the rider, and what they’re asking the horse to do.
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The garrons (type within the breed) do indeed carry a stag off the hill, at a walk. They are very strong and sure footed. To correct a previous post though, the deer ponies are led (well you can ride in a deer saddle but they’re horrifically uncomfortable) so wouldn’t carry a deer plus a person.
They are solid, substantial creatures and often perceived as ideal weight carriers, they are regularly used in riding schools and trekking centres for that reason. They are also very often already carrying far too much weight as they are such easy keepers! They are slow to develop and mature and most are left to 5/6 before really doing much work.
The truly up to height highlands are fairly sought after. Overheights, though falling outside breed standards, are also popular for larger riders. I’m not sure how many of the good ones are being exported. It really depends what you would want to do, the Island types are much sportier but don’t have the same weight carrying capabilities but the Garrons aren’t as suitable for fast work, jumping etc.
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A horse’s weight carrying capacity is a function of the circumference of the cannon bone. The longtime tradition is 20% of the horse’s body weight, which is what the US Cavalry manual stated. That works, but if you have an overweight horse you could overload him just using the 20% ratio. The typical ratio is a foreleg that is 8" in circumference on a 1000 pound horse.
I have a friend/acquaintance who regularly rides nd competes Highlands. She doesn’t weigh 250lb, but she is definiely not a lightweight.
I just met a highland this weekend and she reminded me of a gray version of my fjord. Incredibly similar build. That said, I know nothing about how much or little the breed varies.
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My large pony was very stocky–looked like a stock horse on pony legs. My vet said I could ride him without hurting him, and I’m significantly overweight. I never tried as I was rarely riding by then, and I only occasionally got on my very quiet mare. The pony did, however, get driven a lot.
Rebecca
Icelandic horses can carry 242lb?
(Indirectly thanking a COTH’er who mentioned these kinds of tours. I was going to pay my real estate taxes, but this sounds better…)
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Yes (
) definitely better than paying taxes. I had to pay my taxes early (to add my trust to my manufactured home). So for me free sailing until December ‘25.
Some of these small horses (don’t call Icelandic horses ponies) are very hardy and can carry a lot. They were good for the Vikings.
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