Highland owners

Gluttonforpunishment

Gluttonforpunishment

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OK all you highland owners, tell me about their general temperaments etc. A old school horsey friend suggested they make good family all rounders but I know absolutely nothing about them. Now I'm 5'11" and currently weigh in post baby at 13 stone but that is dropping and my normal weight is around 11.5 stone. Would I be far too big and heavy? Friend says height range is between 13.3 and 15 HH so I guess I'd need to look for one at the upper end.
Pony would be mainly for hacking and fun rides.
So people tell me all, I haven't ridden anything other than TBs or warmbloods for years so am completely out of my comfort zone here.
 
Highlands are 13-14.2hh although they do go over height and therefore some deem them as not show quality ( reality is there are overweight ponies who do well in show ring)

No white markings, should be registered. Intelligent, don't suffer fools ( they are not over grown Shetlands), can be stubborn.

Generally they are quiet to handle, accept all family members, cheap to keep. 3 of ours are very genuine and quiet. 4 th thinks he is a race horse and can be stupid! We clip and rug but they will live out all year round.

Do anything with them, dressage, show, jump etc.

I am 5ft 7 and about 1/2 a stone more and a 13.3 does carry me but she does feel smaller. My 14.2 takes the leg up well, suggest a 14.2 for you. Depends on pony type some traditional ponies have shorter backs etc.

You will require a decent budget, pony prices have not fallen that much. A decent pony could cost around 5k but a good hacking friend a little less.

Warning... They are addictive.... Had them 21 years.... Now got 4 ranging from 3 to 22!
 
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My mum has recently acquired a 5 yr old Highland pony and he is getting on really well with us. I have been riding him a fair bit too and his temperament is great so far! Very willing, basically unflappable with all that he has seen. I have popped a crosspole on him and he rose to the challenge and his flatwork is really coming on. We are hoping to do an Intro test next week! He will mainly be a happy hacker for my mum but we are hoping that he can do a bit of everything and I have strong desire to pinch him and take him hunting! ;):D

A couple of pics of the pretty boy:
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Excuse how muddy he is! :eek: These pics are from about 6 weeks ago, need some recent ones! :p
 
I have 2: one 7 year old and a three year old. Both backed by myself. I'm 5'9 and similar in weight to you (normally not post baby!).

As Highlands says, show "quality" highlands have no white markings and are sub 14,2 - however since I've never seen a fit, slim highland showing, I generally disregard such silly rules :D You can find them overheight if you prefer and many will have some white marking - such as a small star (which is perfectly registerable even on a stallion afaik).

A slim, fit, riding highland type can be reasonably athletic and very engaging to ride - I'm no fan of obese plods! In my mind, a good highland is sparky, forwards and bold; they're very honest types - once you have them onside, they'll do anything you ask... But they can be stubborn and rather inclined to avoid work if you don't!

This is my 7 y/old:

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He's a proper go anywhere, do anything type - turns his hoof to TREC, dressage, horseball, trick training and all sorts with success and loves to jump - the aim is to have him out eventing over the next few years :o

My 3 year old thinks he's a proper horse and jumps for fun :cool:

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He's bold as brass and super quick to learn. He's also very forwards under saddle and possibly a little cocky (hence he was backed early and turned away before he gets too big for his boots!).

If you want a pony brain, you can't go far wrong with a highland in my humble opinion.
 
JFTD is so right, so many are far too fat. Mine are fit but admit I do keep some weight on ( don't worry they don't go obese or lami) otherwise look like connies! They are quite capable of 25 mile pleasure rides!

JFTD think you would approve of Freddie.... Very switched on!

 
Highlands said:
JFTD is so right, so many are far too fat. Mine are fit but admit I do keep some weight on ( don't worry they don't go obese or lami) otherwise look like connies! They are quite capable of 25 mile pleasure rides!

JFTD think you would approve of Freddie.... Very switched on!

Click to expand...

I've been questioned on what mine is many times, with considerable incredulity! Connie? Eriskay? Spanish bred? Nope he's a highland... Oh... what's he crossed with?! :D I don't mind - I take it as a compliment!

Freddie looks sweet. Heavier than I would keep him, but not fat ;) I'm obsessive with my weight tape! I'm sure he's lovely to ride :)
 
Agree with what's been said before.
Mine is rising 4 and just been backed. He's 14.2++ and thinks he's a warmblood! Can't wait to get on him :)
I bought him as a rising 2 yr old, he's always been quite 'sparky' and is capeable of impressive airs above the ground and rodeo movements when loose lol!

He's a fast learner but my one piece of advice is to make sure you set boundaries so they know what is and isn't acceptable, especially given their size and strength.

I'm 5'11 so height shouldn't be an issue :)

Good luck in your search!
 
Highlands are small tractors with legs and if they are not kept so fat they can not move are as agile as any small pony. Perfect for adults as they ride like a horse but without the upkeep They do have very definite personalities and need tactful firm handling but once they are taught they are a joy. You just have to realise they can destroy anything without even noticing and if you happen to be in the way...Make sure you get one that has been taught about personal space.
 
There seem to be several types of Highlands. The old traditional type was bred to carry culled deer off the hill and the last thing you'd want them to do is break into a trot while carrying a stag, hence the myth of them all being slow plodders. Frankly, I wouldn't want to try to put a stag on anything much higher than 13.2. I've had no problems with laminitis or sweet itch or anything else, come to that.

But a good example of a ridden Highland can be seen in Stirlingdene, here:

http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2012/10/07/supreme-horse-and-pony-year-hoys

The white markings thing is, to my mind, a bit of show ring lunacy. The breed standard does allow a "small white star" about the size of a 50p piece in a stallion and larger is acceptable in a mare. As I say, lunacy, when you start to delve into the genetics of these white markings. I wonder how many would refuse the offer of Stirlingdene IF he had a bit of white on him?

Here are a couple of my youngsters at 3 and nearly 4 respectively by the same father as JFTD's Darach:





And, yes, they can be a bit stubborn!


 
I had 2 Highland mares 20 odd years ago. I was 5'8" and weighed 11.5st. One was 14.1 and she was totally brilliant, loved work and could really gallop. The second mare was a Garron, bigger, not so keen on work and not such a nice ride.
They are very good doers and need to be kept in as close a regime to their natural habitat as possible. I have seen some terrifyingly obese Highlands.
 
I had a highland in a few years back to start under saddle and once she realised that she was not the one in charge (her owners had let her do pretty much what she liked since a 2 yr old) she was a pleasure to deal with and a lovely pony who watched where she was putting her feet to hack. would be lovely to have one like her around the place but they are rather expensive to buy on a whim :)
 
Thank you all, food for thought certainly. Slightly scared now at the required budget!! Only thing I'm now wondering is if a highland would be bored with just a hacking / pleasure riding home. I'd rather have an older gelding that's maybe wanting to semi retire - don't think I've got the time or motivation to take on a youngster. Will have to do some digging, do you think it would be OK to approach some of the highland breeders and have a chat or would that be a bit odd?
 
I would certainly approach breeders and I suspect there may be one or two on here but since are designed for carrying people across the highlands its unlikely that one would be bored with a hacking home :)
 
A fun hacking home would be fine - I'm ambitious but my ponies don't know what BE is if it jumped out and bit them on the nose (incidentally my collie once did that to fergs while I was schooling...)

I'd have a wee chat with DryRot via pm if I were you ;)
 
Ive got one, had him just less than a year now after riding mainly Tbs, TBx and a connie. I am not in the first flush of youth and wanted a steadier, slightly smaller and easier horse. He is 14.2 and a big solid boy but has perfect manners and is a joy to deal with. We are happy hackers mixed with a little bit of schooling. I do have to be very careful with his weight as he doesnt do enough work really but that said, I can hop on after not doing anything all week and hes just perfect. I originally started off looking at connies but they seem to be much lighter and sportier now than of old and not what I really wanted. I did speak to several breeders who were, without exception, extremely helpful and welcoming so I would say this is a very helpful thing to do. Good luck with your search, they are truly lovely ponies.
 
I have Highlands, fab ponies. One of my home bred boys is 5 and learning to drive which we are both loving. So far he is very enthusiastic and forward going. There are plenty for sale at present and prices are reasonable due to current climate. Have fun.


 
Just for Patters :p

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Should really get some new ones - had him down on both knees lately in preparation for lying down...
 
I shouldn't post this, but I have to admit to reading this thread for reasons more than just "out of interest".

I can so see my daughter on a highland.....

;)
 
Love this thread as I have a 3yr old highland , agree with all said, mine should make about 14.1/2, hes has a fabulous personality, I planning on doing a bit of everthing on him, but I want to do m&m workers. Love all the photos!
 
I've had my mare since she was weaned, she turned 19 this month :) She's a great character, very calm, happy to do what she's asked as long as its not too repetitive! She jumps when in the mood for it, if not the jumps 'accidentally' get knocked over, she is an angel with my very lightweight daughter who has been riding her off lead since she was 5 (daughter not pony!) has never done anything scary or even too quickly. If she trusts you, she will do anything you ask, even if she's not sure- we limbo'd under a fallen tree on a hack one day!
In summary I would have another in a heartbeat but I probably couldn't afford one!
 
I have a *6* year old now- how time flies.
Have had him for 3/4 years and he is the total opposite of what I ever wanted in a horse: but he is me all over.
Stubborn and likes to pretend he is lazy- a.k.a needs a rather lot of motivation.
His hobby-is most certainly pushing the boundaries, firm reminders really don't do him much good.
He is an angel though- very good at assessing ability of his handler/rider and very kind where he feels necessary.

If you wish something full of character and personality - you wish a highland.
And you weight and height would be a doddle especially for Bailey he is much more traditional type(build like a bull).

His wee half brother in the picture(grey dun) was touching 15hh where as the wee man is only 14.1 and a half! Plenty range of sizes!

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You lot are great! Loving all the photos. JFTD thanks for the advice. Feeling very reassured that I'm not going to be accused of pony squishing if I do find a highland pony partner ;)
 
I can kick Fergs in the back of the knee while riding bareback... And nobody's ever accused me of pony squishing!

I think you'll be alright!
 
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