Highland ponies - Opinions please :)

R

RubyR

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 September 2006
Messages
122
Visit site
Hi. I have always loved the look of Highland ponies and have ridden a couple and really enjoyed them. I'd love to buy a youngster, show in-hand and then get down to ridden work - hacking, te trec etc. However, I think I think I'm too big - I'm 5'7'' and 12 stone but have ridden for about 10 years. I'd obviously look for a Highland of about 14.2 hh but do you think I should look for a different type, something bigger? If I did get one, it might give me the incentive to lose weight :) I could do with losing a stone. Also, what are people's experience's with Highlands? Many thanks .... just dreaming of a new horse on a Sunday afternoon.
 
I've ridden loads of highlands ponies. they're fab :D They can turn their hooves to pretty much anything.
They'd carry you no problem at that weight. 12 stone is not that heavy at all. I've ridden racehorses at the same weight.
You won't find many bigger than 14.2hh but they are usually wide enough that they take up your leg.
 
if i remember correct, they where bred to bring home stags that weigh about 16 stone from the hill, so why don't you find a riding school or trecking centre which has one and have a go :)
 
Highlands are cracking ponies, my favourite natives, incredibly versatile and can do anything you like (within their physical limits, jumping a 5' course might be asking too much, but there are some that would probably give it a go!) I had a little 13.2 when I was about 10 and he was fabulous, best pony ever.

They would certainly take your weight, it is more a question of whether you would feel comfortable at your height on them, as has been said, go and find some and give them a try. They are very popular at trekking centres, we used to have purebreds and cross them with clevelands to get a bit more height.

Huge bonus for me is that they come in lots of pretty colours!:) I wish I could find some here :(
 
I've only ever ridden one (and it was a nappy little git) but understand them to be fairly stubborn??? Bit like Shelties but sounds like the other posters haven't shared this experience.
 
I've had a couple of Highland mares, one was about 14 hands and not heavy, I had a lot of fun with her, she could really gallop. The other was a bigger and heavier 14.2 Garron, much steadier girl. It was easy to imagine her carrying the Stags, at 12 stone she would not have known you were there. Had two foals from her, one by a SecD and one by a TB stallion, both were good sorts and went on to do useful jobs.

One thing I would say is that the Garrons will get tremendously overweight if not strictly controlled. Without doubt, the most obese horse I have ever seen was one of these...not one of mine, I hasten to add :)
 
A highland wouldn't struggle with your weight at all, as long as the pony has no back issues etc.

They can be stubborn, strong willed and a little pig headed at times, but they are generally brave non spooky types who will do a little bit of everything. They can be bargey, but all horses have the ability to be bargey if mishandled.

When ridden they can be prone to go on the forehand but will carry themselves correctly if ridden correctly and will have a go at what ever you ask them. As long as you don't want to regularly jump 4'6" +, or compete at the highest levels of dressage you will be fine.

They are often hardy and don't often fall ill or lame, I am sure there are many out there with health issues but as a stereotype they tend to be very hardy in all senses of the word.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGSOKZlL4ww

my 14.2hh highland jumping with all 5'7, 12 stone on her back.

they can be stubborn, but like anything, get them on your side and youve got a hell of a pony. mine turns her hand to anything, they aren't as ploddy as peolpe seem to think but I have had sooo much fun with mine.

mine is a lot slimmer than they generally are and I think she takes up my leg fine :)
 
fidleyspromise said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGSOKZlL4ww

my 14.2hh highland jumping with all 5'7, 12 stone on her back.

they can be stubborn, but like anything, get them on your side and youve got a hell of a pony. mine turns her hand to anything, they aren't as ploddy as peolpe seem to think but I have had sooo much fun with mine.

mine is a lot slimmer than they generally are and I think she takes up my leg fine :)
Click to expand...

Wow, what a cool dude!!!!!
 
I had a highland x tb on loan once - lovely pony but looked more like a little tb tbh.

I don't have any experience of pure highlands myself but do hunt with a lady that rides one. He is hunted in a double bridle as I think he can get quite strong, but he is very mannerly, jumps like a stag and she has told me he can turn his hand to just about anything.

He is about 14.1hh and could definately take a fair bit of weight.
 
I took one to Pony Club camp (a million years ago lol).

From what I remember we did everything. It was an excellent week :D:D

I was about 5'8"-ish, and about 8 stone (that was a looooong time ago lol).

As others have said, strong, opinionated, friendly, willing. Loved the one I rode :D
 
Oh they are certainly on my "most favourite" list of M&Ms - I was at the Three Counties Showground this weekend and there were a couple of mares there that were stunning.

I love the dapple greys with a touch of "pink" in the dapple.

Yummy!
 
You're a similar height / weight to me and my highland doesn't struggle. He's 5 and turns his hoof to anything - he'll make a cracking RC pony / dressage pony in time. They're interesting animals, smart, cheeky, full of fun. Can't go far wrong with one in my opinion...

8-3.png


dressage1.jpg
 
Great ponies! I have had mine since he was a foal, he's six now and 14 hands. They are a very slow maturing breed generally, my boy has only really this year decided to be a grown up! He has just been doing 'pony rides' for some friends who have never been near a horse before. He gave everyone a ride from a two year old who screamed with excitement to 14 plus stone Dad. He didn't struggle even with Dad and didn't put a foot wrong. He is forward going, surprisingly agile for such a big pony and is so much fun. No 'proper' highland would have any trouble carrying you at all. My six foot plus friend who is considerably more than 12 stone rides mine occasionally and they both love it!

Good luck with your search :)
 
We have a highland x tb mare. shes 15hh and has the best qualities of both and is very pretty. i would agree on the stubborness and she can try and push her luck but a great all rounder,quick and clever and well worth thinking about..
 
I've had mine since weaning, she's 17 now. She is 14hh, carries me fine at 5'6" takes your leg with being so wide, and my daughter rides her too but she's about 3 stone with boots etc. They are lovely ponies, very clever and I've had no health issues with mine bar melanomas but those aren't anything to do with being a Highland. Mine is the pony everyone wants to hack nervous horses or riders with as she's unflappable and won't kick out if she gets rear-ended!
 
I had one on loan many years ago and he was a cracking pony.

He was 14.2 and I am 5'5 and probably about 12 stone then and he certainly had no trouble carrying me or my slightly heavier husband.

He turned his hoof to anything I asked - jumping, dressage, long distance, all riding club activities and even side saddle. I used to take him to playgroup and the kids all rode him too.

There don't seem to be as many about as say Ds or Connies and they also seem to command a higher price.

Sadly don't have any photos as he was pre computer!
 
Highlands are "easy keep", live out 24/7, don't need rugs (they grow their own!), and, like Highland cattle, thrive on poor quality grazing. As a previous poster has said, the only problem is their ability to put on weight at the mere mention of g-r-a-s-s.

Due to some mismanagement (not mine!), I had three foals born outside during the severe winter of 2009/2010 with only a wood for shelter and they did not bother at all, mostly staying outside the wood. They do have a field shelter, but that's to salve my conscience and most of the time they don't use it!

All the other comments are accurate.

BTW, lovely pony jftd!:D

Here's my stallion, fresh out from his mares and competing at a show:

DSC_0500b-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
i'm 5'10 and have bought a 2 yr old highland who is expected to mature at 14.2 (at least as his butt is already there or there abouts!)
There are plenty of tall riders with highlands as they take up the leg soooo well.

I'd thoroughly recommend them as a breed. Full of fun but also sensible!!
 
Thanks for all the replies.

JFTD you have a gorgeous pony - love the dressage pic.

Looks like a Highland could be on the cards - just need to find one now :)
 
RubyR said:
JFTD you have a gorgeous pony - love the dressage pic.

Looks like a Highland could be on the cards - just need to find one now :)
Click to expand...

Thanks very much :D I also have a yearling, who I think will turn out nice. I could recommend a breeder with some nice youngsters, if you like :p
 
I've got a highland mare and i would highly recommend one!! She's fab, easy to do, lives on fresh air and is full of the joys of spring to ride.... She's 14hands and I'm 5'6 and i look extremely small on her as they really take up your leg! Mine is as bold as brass, not too strong yet does get extremely excitable in certain situations. Here's a pic of my little lady!!
Hope you have lots of fun looking for one, they really are so much fun!!

DSC_15061.jpg


DSC_0219.jpg
 
I agree - Benjis girl, you have a stunning pony. Not that I have one but a Highland could easily carry the height and weight of original poster and don't let the 'adults shouldn't ride ponies' brigade put you off. Native ponies rule!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top