Highland ponies

hellybelly6

hellybelly6

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Who has a highland or a cross?
Is it me, or are they very very loyal, ingelligent ponies, but take a wee while getting to know you? x
 
I do - have a 14yo mare on loan, and her 7yo son. They are gentle, intelligent, friendly - but can be obstinate and the cue is in the early training. They appear to be so calm and easy going that there might be a temptation to train them quite quickly and assume that gentle nature will see them through, but if not set some fairly firm boundaries their stubborn and obstinate nature can turn them into something quite challenging later on. I have certainly met a couple of tricky ones, but am lucky that the ones I have really are perfect in every way.

Except that they are horses of course, and just as capable of spooking, charging off or rooting themselves as the next horse - they just don't do it very often.
 
Thank you, that is very interesting. Certainly calm and gentle and easy going.

obstinate is def in my pony's character. Do you find that if they do not want to do anything, they 'take root' and will not move one inch?

I also find that boundaries have to be set give an inch and they take 10 miles!

One of the things I liked about my pony, is that he regarded me through his thick fringe as if to say 'who the h3ll are you, what are you looking at?'
 
I love Highlands, they are my favourite breed. The majority I've ridden have been quick learners and fairly brave as well has being friendly and gorgeous to look at
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I do know a very, very stubborn one though.
 
Mine has a very tricky streak in her.
Probably due to being started late and her old owner was an older lady who my pony took the mickey out of.
She can be very bargey but also lovely
 
I have known one or two stubborn Highlands which have been used in riding schools for a long time. I think they grow sour from the lack of variety in their work and that's why I try to give mine as much variety as possible. Nelly, my Highland, is lovely (although I may be somewhat biased!) and she's not at all stubborn. She tries it on occasionally but I don't even have to tap her with my whip, just a growl or swish in her general direction does the trick and she soon comes round to my point of view
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I am quite a novice highland owner, I have had my youngster for nearly 3 years. I bought him as a weanling and he has been a delight in every way. He has bags of personality but tries his hardest to please, he's very laid back and seems to have adopted the attitude that if 'Mum' says I have to it must be ok so I will (thank goodness!) He is not above pushing the boundaries but quickly steps back into line! He has taken everything in his stride so far, he's not backed yet but couldn't give a toss about being tacked up,bitted etc. He has been out to a couple of shows and was a star (even though I was worried he'd end up in the WI tent pinching the cakes
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) Stubbornness is not something he has shown me yet but then again I haven't really tested him, they are such a slow maturing breed I want to take it all very slowly with him. I'm so glad I bought him, no regrets at all.
 
I have a gorgeous highland gelding. Got him as a two year old and he is now 16. He has manners to burn, is a wonderful ride, gentle, affectionate and a real character. He had very strict boundaries as a baby and doesn't put a foot wrong. he is my horse of a lifetime and although he has a wonderful pedigree, he is 15.1Hh. I knew he was going to be big but it didnt matter to me. My sister has a 23 yr old mare, great aunt to mine. She wasn't handled very well as a youngster and was a nightmare until she got to 20 years old.
 
and oh my god, can they jump
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i've known a a few, used to work at a breeding stud and i loved it.
The foals were gorgeous and even the stallion had manners to die for
i wouldn't hesitate to buy one
 
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