Highland pony folk, a few more questions

M

MyBoyChe

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 April 2008
Messages
4,609
Location
N. Bucks
Visit site
Going to look at a 14.2 pony this week and am ridiculously excited, his owner/breeder has emailed me some pics and he looks stunning, so fingers crossed. Now, thinking ahead can anyone who knows these ponies recommend me some types of saddle to try, pref a dressage cut, also do they tend to be full/cob size for headcollars, bridles etc. Anything else I need to take into account before I take the plunge. Ive owned a connie before but other than that have only had horses (I have just bought a shettie for grandchildren but she doesnt count, she is a little monkey but she is small enough for me to manhandle so to speak!!) I do know weight management may well be an issue but any other specific things I need to think about?
 
My 14hh mare has a Wintec wide saddle and a Torsion Deluxe Treeless saddle, you do need a saddle with a straighter flap or it interferes with the shoulder ime. She wears a full size headcollar, cob are too short in the cheek. She currently has a full size Derby House bridle but it's all the top hole, her last bridle was an IV horse cob size cheapy all at the bottom hole! She wears 6'3" rugs and I can't think of anything she has that my Shetland hasn't got (other than 2 saddles :P) Greenguard muzzle is a neccessity in my opinion and I find the dressage/showing reins with the rubber on the inside a godsend because her mane doesn't get caught up in them like it does in ordinary rubber reins.
Good luck with your viewing and post plenty photos if you buy him!
 
I had a saddle exchange comfort intrepid for my 14.2 highland is a vsd cut, so fairly straight but still has a good knee roll as well. So was good for jumping. Also nativeponysaddle company do some good ones. Person who has him on loan now bought a kent and masters cob gp which is really nice and adjustable think you can get a cob dressage as well.
He's a 6ft3 in rugs though does have some 6ft and some 6ft6 just depends on brand. Headcollers think he's full size and bridles ended up having to have one made to measure as cob ones were too small and full too big.
Weight management wise only had to muzzle mine at one yard as grass was fertilised, before that had him with my instructor who breeds highlands so her grazing was a lot better suited to them. As long as your aware though you shouldn't have a problem.

They are fantastic ponies have known a lot from instructor breeding them and would definitly have another. Enjoy if you do end up buying the one your going to see.
 
I have had success with Saddle Company saddles on highlands in the past, they do adjust out really wide (has to be done by a Saddle Company fitter) and your local fitter can do any minor adjustments to the flocking. Failing that my standby saddle has been a really cheap imported saddle which is hugely wide.

My mare is 14hh but often needs 6'3 rugs to accommode her shoulders and body and agree on the restricted grazing front, they really don't need much grass at all. Her bridle is a cob size but you may need to get a wide brow band
 
My 14.2 higland is 6'3 in rugs, cob/full headcollar and full in bridle. In a 17inch m/w Jeffries saddle.

My 4 year old highland who is still growing she's 14.1 now is same in all of the above bar saddle she is very short backed so in a treeless saddle and having a made to measure 16.5 saddle next year.
 
I have a Highland x TB and I ended up having a made to measure bridle. Neither FS or Cob did it for us. I cobbled together a bridle and in the end had one made, didn't cost huge amounts.

My boy seems to fall between FS and Cob but if you are going to keep him, in the grand scale of things not expensive. Do bear in mind mine isn't full Highland, (I wish).
 
Thanks everyone, useful advice. Im hoping he will take a 6'3 in rugs as Cliche has more rugs than he needs so has been told he may have to share! In his photos he does look more like a full size in the head dept so again maybe my spare stuff will do to start off with, if not I can feel a huge shopping trip coming (what a shame!!) My plan is to put the shettie and Highland in together and keep moving them round the paddock with electric fencing onto the rough stuff that my delicate Tb wont eat, they will be muzzled as required. If anyone else has any good tips keep them coming please :)
 
Just read this and think you have made a great choice - but perhaps I am biased having been involved with them for nearly 30 years.
Re tack - saddles you really have to try them to see what suits the pony and you. Many of the highland and cob type saddles can be very wide and a bit uncomfortable on the hips and knees.
I use an ideal gp which has some knee roll but can still show in it and it has a narrower twist. But many others suit such as fylde rays, native pony ideal highland and cob, etc
Re bridle - if it's a big highland you will likely need full size headpiece, browband and noseband but cob size cheek pieces. You can sometimes get away with a full size bridle in cheaper makes but not in the good makes.
Rugs - all mine are in 6'6" as find 6'3" just a bit neat on the shoulders and tend to rub. Mine are between 14 -14.1hh but they are chunky. Keeps their knees warm but they are much happier in them looser ;)
Hope you have lots of fun and look out for highland pony events in your area- a great way of meeting like minded folk :)
 
My 14.2 highland is a fine highland. She's never been bulky. BUT we've no idea if she's full highland or not.

I've just been trying saddles today and she went well in Kent & Masters, Ideal, Saddle Company Saddle (and they fitted without moving). Jeffries saddle suited me much better - she went nicely in it too. Her current saddle is a GFS Eventing one (I want a new one for her now though).

She's a cob bridle but with full noseband.
Full headcollar.
6' rug although 6'3 fits her to. I find horseware amigo/rambo best fit for their shoulders. Masta rubs her shoulders.
 
Thanks both, appreciate your input. I have a saddle fit booked for 12th Oct. The choices I think will be between Ideal, Kent and Masters, Black Country and Thorowgood. Ches full size bridle fits without the noseband!! His 6'3" rugs, most WB are way too tight around the neck, we need something cut differently, not sure what tho so again when we are at the saddle shop we will be trying rugs too. I am using the time to do lots of groundwork, pony has to learn the commands with my Bucks accent, I have also had a little sit on bareback but he is so round Im very wobbly :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top