Highland ponies and ear tagging

[rcm_73]

I have recently purchased a Highland mare and she has a piece missing out of her right ear, a kind of neat chunk. I'm told this is where she will have been 'tagged'. I don't know if this is correct or not, can anyone enlighten me further? Also would it be classed as a blemish in the show ring?

 

[Kermie]

Some breeders tag their ponies in a similar manner to cattle - it's not just Highlands, some other native pony breeders do it too. It shouldn't be classed as a blemish though.