I just wanted to share these wonderful photos of some of our HiPos in N. America that were showcased at an Equine Fair in Massachusetts, US, last weekend. We are ‘off the radar’ as a well known pony breed over here, but we are slowly making hoofprints(and they are large!!) There are roughly 60 ponies in N.America and we are spread out scantily over the continent. New England has the best representation, but where I am on the west coast of Canada,there are only 2 ponies within 2 hours of each other. For interest sake, Glenfiddich and MacKenzie in the photos hail from Circle H ranch in BC, where Ann Armann settled from Scotland and imported 2 colts and 5 fillies. My MacDougal is a full brother of Fiddich and almost identical…except Glenfiddich has a much more splendid mane & forelock. Sit down with a cuppa’ tea, and enjoy all 300+ slides-our numbers are few but we are enthusiastic about our HiPos… 8-)!
I’ve heard of Connemaras, Exmoors, Dartmoors, Shetlands, Welsh Ponies, Dales Ponies, but never a Highland Pony. (You know, for relatively small islands Britain and Ireland have a lot of ponies…) What sort of pony is this?
I’m pretty sure it is a Scottish breed… very hearty, super sure footed and very cute 
Queen Victoria used to ride and drive Highland Ponies when in Scotland. They’ve been around a while.
We had a Highland Pony breeder here in Iowa at one time; not sure if they’re still around or not.
Can you tell us a little more about the breed? They look really hairy! What kind of temperament do they have? Are they suitable mounts for children? Do they cross well with other breeds? Which equine sports are they good at?
Enlighten us!
Scottish Highland Pony Description…
Adapted from"Is A Highland Pony For You"
"They are VERY large ponies! A 14hh Highland can easily weight 1000lbs or more, and carry most adults with ease. It’s true that this breed is a pony with it’s height ranging from 13.0 to 14.2. BUT this “pony” breed is the largest British Native Pony with draft mixed in it’s back-ground. They are large boned, large bodied, and strong. You actually need a bit of leg to get it around them, so even average adults can have issues with lack of leg on a Highland. In the UK, Highlands are ridden by many adults, but there are certainly plenty ridden by children too. Often a mother and daughter will compete using the same pony.
The Highland is used for any number of disciplines from trail riding, to fox hunting, driving, Dressage, Pony Club, etc… You won’t be doing much 5 - 6 foot stadium jumping on a Highland, but they are ideal for someone who would like to compete at lower levels of any discipline. Talents vary from pony to pony, but many Highlands LOVE jumping and make great Hunters. Some move very well and are competitive against Warmbloods in the Dressage arena. Some Highlands work cattle too! Highlands were originally farm ponies and were used for everything from riding & driving the family into town to ploughing and timbering, so they are great versatile, all-rounder ponies.
Temperament:-Again, this will vary from pony to pony, but keep in mind a Highland is more like a Cold Blooded horse. They tend to be laid back and steady, but still retain the Native Pony intelligence and toughness. They are very smart and usually easily trained. A Highland will tend to bond with you and trust you in times of trouble (this is a VERY helpful trait!). One thing to keep in mind is they do have a draft heritage and are very strong. This means that when a Highland misbehaves, it can sometimes be in the form of pushing their way out of a situation - like through a fence or past you! Like all horses and ponies, Highlands must be trained and taught to behave, to tie, to stand, etc… Because of their substance and steady nature, many people in Scotland get their very first ride on a Highland. Many Highlands are used at Trekking centers, riding centers, and in Riding for the Disabled programs. FYI… a good trekking pony is usually ridden for 2 to 3 years before it’s ever used as a working pony.
Is it true anyone can ride a Highland?
Although it’s true that there are well trained and suitable Highlands for the entire family, each pony is different. Some Highlands are very steady and laid-back, while others are very forward & keen. You should make sure ANY animal you think about getting, regardless of breed, is individually suited to your needs & experience. If buying young stock, make sure you are prepared to get help with training and plan for that contingency.
Is it true that Highlands can live on air?
NO! NO! and NO! Highlands DO need to eat and drink water too Some Highlands can appear to live on air, but of course they need to eat! Like ALL equines they need water and fiber in their diet. Most Highlands do fine with just grass/ hay diets. Some can’t be on grass 24/7 and need to be off grass and hay for a portion of the day. I recommend anyone planning to own a Highland have a paddock so they can keep their pony off grass if necessary. If your Highland is in work, it may need more food to keep it in good flesh and may even need a bit of grain. Feeding should be according to the needs of your individual pony and their activity level. Lactating mares and breeding stallions need special considerations as well.
I have Highlands because they are the perfect animal for me. I’ve always been a “pony person” and have always enjoyed the extra personality that ponies tend to have. Some people don’t like an animal that can laugh at them, but I always seem to be laughing “with” my ponies. And that’s part of it, Highlands have a sense of humor. Also, another owner pointed out to me that they thought of Highlands as “the dogs of the horse world”. What they meant was that Highlands are more like companion animals. They are “with you”, not just a ride. Highlands love to have fun and many of the things you think as fun are for them too. This is another thing Highland owners enjoy about their ponies. If you’re out enjoying a nice hack, it would be nice to think your pony is too. And with a Highland, both of you are most likely enjoying that ride
AND being a busy person, when I can’t ride for a week or two (or longer!), I don’t have to worry about getting on my Highland. They’re pretty much the same as the last time I rode them… very big plus for us older, full-time workers!!
I have worked with Thoroughbreds when I was younger, doing Hunter courses, a little cross country, and Dressage with them and other breeds. I just really got to the point that I wanted to enjoy myself and not worry about the animal under me so much. My Highlands will walk when I tell them to walk and trot when I tell them to trot and stop and stand when asked to stop and stand. They also like a good gallop every now and then too. Me too!
And finally, after managing in several barns in my youth, I really appreciate an economical animal. I remember feeding those Thoroughbreds anything and everything and STILL not keeping the weight on them. Of course, with Highlands it’s the other way around, but I find it much easier on the pocket to not feed much And with the great feet they have we rarely shoe unless it’s needed for some reason. Our stallion has never been shod - even in consistent, hard work.
It’s time to admit that most of us just want to “Go ride and have fun!” And a Highland can do that for you.
If any of the above is true for you, you may be the perfect person to enjoy owning a Highland Pony!
I’ve got 6.
3 are my own. 3 belong to customers. They’re here for training. 2 to be put to harness from get go and one to have some issues sorted out.
They’ve a tendency to be pretty opinionated which often manifests as stubborn. If an owner isn’t up to managing them, then they’re happy to rise to the challenge of managing the owner! They’re very stoic and hardy. Love inclement weather. They’ve compact short coupled muscular conformation and so they’re strong. They’re up to weight. That means they are adaptable and suitable for adults or children. They can jump and can hold their own in the hunt field and have a good high knee action but with great forward impulsion so make great driving ponies.
They’re easy keepers and absolutely have to be on spartan grazing. They’re greedy and will run to obesity all too easily and then to laminitis so rather than constantly worrying about what to feed them, you need to obsess about how to control diet and restrict grazing. They’re a breed I often recommend for folks with limited time or for whom a good reliable all round sort is a pre-requisite.
In truth what I actually say is anything stupid enough to put up with carrying a dead deer up and down mountains is a pretty reliable and steady horse. 
All mine are either dun or grey in colour and those are pretty common colours for the breed.
Take a look at my post 10 here and you’ll see some doing what they were originally bred for and what we still use them for in this part of the world:
http://www.themanestreet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=580237&highlight=highland#post580237
Post 3 here shows them just chilling out in the paddocks:
http://www.themanestreet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=523076&highlight=highland#post523076
I’m glad to know there are some Highland Ponies over here. One of the nicest dressage videos I’ve seen on YouTube is a test done by a rider on a Highland Pony.
I have a close friend who raises Highland Ponies in California!
We went to high school together, and after we graduated, I got into the Welsh and she ended up with the Highlands! Yay for hardy native breeds!
They are indeed a very cool breed. You can see Wendy’s ponies at http://www.highlandponies.com
Where can one find Highland Stallions in the US?
I’ve always loved Highlands and Dales, for the ‘depth’ of body they bring to the equation.
I was on a UK based board for some time, and really fell in love with many of them.
pintopiaffe- there are a couple I know of.I don’t think we have more than 5 on the continent?
Circle H Ranch in BC-Ann Armann has two -
http://www.highlandponies.ca/about.htm
and Wendy Rowe has a lovely looking one…
http://www.highlandponies.com/
Q.H.D.Q.
Is this the Youtube dressage you are referring to? My favorite…
http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=highland+pony+dressage+championship+to+music-+you+tube&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=ipwMS82xJ4fgsQOd7sWtAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQqwQwAA#q=highland+pony+dressage+championship+to+music-+you+tube&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=ipwMS82xJ4fgsQOd7sWtAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQqwQwAA&qvid=highland+pony+dressage+championship+to+music-+you+tube&vid=-5788671660735212605
I believe the OP, and her Highland Ponies, are now in Virginia.
And there is a Highland Pony farm, MacCrimmon Stud, in Maryland.
Also, Queen Elizabeth rides and breeds Highland Ponies.
