Highland lovers, a few questions

[thatsmygirl]

Hi, iv got a lovely highland gelding who's 15 months old and currently standing at 12.3hh, what height do you think he will make? He's already built like a bull very bulky so what kind off weight will he be able to carry? I'm going to back him myself when the time comes but worried that backing a 4 yr old when I weight 13stone could be to much to start him off? Just wondered what peoples view was, many thanks

 

[whisp&willow]

whats his breeding?

highlands are a slow maturing breed, but are built to carry weight! they will easily carry 13 st of dead weight down off the hill.

its hard to say without seeing him etc. and all is very much subjective to how he matures, as to how he will cope with backing, and at what age.

x

 

[thatsmygirl]

Thank you, I have no breeding for him recorded which is a shame. What height do you think he will make? I was going to back him at 4 yrs old as somebody else has told me the same about matureing late. Normally I would lightly back and turn away until 4 but might not start him until he's 4 if he looks ready. He's to keep so no hurry.

 

[whisp&willow]

i couldnt say what height he will make.... i have been around highlands all my life, but never had or bred them myself. my best friend has too many to count though!!

if he is 12.3 now then my guess would be about 14hh?? i'l ask my friend what she thinks though!

if he exceeds 14.2 then he is over height for a highland.

as for backing, i would definately wait until he is 4, - i mean you can do all the ground work before then, just dont sit on him!

also if he is a very stocky sort he may take longer to fully mature than the lighter legged highlands out there!

where abouts are you? x

eta: if you are worried about being on the heavy side for backing, do you have anybody who is lighter that could help with the initial backing process?

any pics??!!

 

[appylass]

My highland was about 12.2 at that age, he is now about 14.1 and probably won't grow much more though I think he will level up still. I had mine as a weanling and he was backed at 4, very lightly, he is now 6 and has only really mentally matured enough to work properly this last spring. Like you I bought him to keep so there was no hurry and I'm glad I kept it simple for the last couple of years, he really is a different pony this year. regarding weight, I think it would be best to ask someone who knows you and the pony to judge. They certainly are weight carriers, mine had a 15 stone 6 foot bloke on him for a short plod recently and he coped fine but I wouldn't have wanted him to do anything more than plod!

Good luck with yours and again, it would be nice to see pictures