by M. Y. Mim

Many hands help the tiny - 13hh to 14.2hh - Scottish Highland Pony survive and thrive. Organizations such as the Scottish Highland Pony Society of North America, Equus Survival Trust, The Highland Pony Society, Highland Pony Enthusiasts Club of America, and the original Highland Pony Enthusisasts Club (in the UK) "promote the unique and versatile Highland pony, and act as a resource for Highland pony breeders, owners, and enthusiasts throughout North America," in the words of the Scottish Highland Pony Society of
North America.

Equus Survival Trust lists the Highland Pony as "Vulnerable," meaning that only  500 to 1500 active adult breeding mares exist globally. Lee Ann Bunn, a member of the Highland Pony Society, Equus Survival Trust, and member and Treasurer of Highland Pony Enthusiasts Club of America (HPECA), serves as an outstanding spokesperson for the breed.

Well carried and alert with kindly eyes. Broad muzzle and with a deep jowl. Neck and Shoulders: Reasonable length of neck going from wither with a good sloping shoulder, and well placed forearm. Body: Well-balanced and compact with deep chest with plenty of room for heart and lungs, ribs well sprung.
"Quarters and hind legs: Powerful quarters with well developed thigh, second thigh, and clean, flat hocks.
"Legs: Flat, hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones (ideally 8" to 9"), oblique pasterns, and well shaped, broad, hard dark hooves.
"Mane and Tail: Hair should be natural flowing and untrimmed with full tail.

"Colors: A range of duns: mouse, yellow, grey, and cream. Also grey, brown, black, and occasionally bay, and liver chestnut with silver main and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and some zebra markings on legs and shoulders. A small star is acceptable, but other white markings are discouraged.
"Action: Straight and free moving without undue knee action.
"My farrier loves to describe them as a draft horse left in the dryer too long!
"Temperament:The Highland Pony should have a true native pony nature - very smart, sensitive, and self-sufficient.

"They learn quickly AND easily, being many a trainer's 'dream job.' Highlands are very versatile and can do any discipline - dressage, driving, hunters, combined training, trail riding, etc. We even have a few ponies working cattle in America!

Many Highland Pony owners also have a great sense of humor! It does seem that a certain kind of fun-loving horse person is attracted to this fun-loving pony breed."

Lee Ann's breeding program involves introducing new stock imported from Scotland - mainly to increase the gene pool here in the USA. There are only approximately 50 ponies in North America. Lee Ann points out that Scottish Highlands are late maturing ponies, not fully matured until six to eight years old. They should not be ridden until their third year, and then only lightly. Jumping shouldn't even be attempted until the pony is at least five years old, or owners risk damaging the open joints and growing bones.The plus side of a late-maturing breed is a long life: Scottish Highland Ponies often live well into their thirties.

Some Riding Centres in France now use Highland ponies exclusively for both riding and driving. As useful, safe hunters, and long-distance ponies, they excel in rough steep country, where cleverness and steadiness are essential. Pony trekking was founded on the broad backs of Highland Ponies in 1952, to give summer work for deer ponies, Ewan Ormiston opened the first trekking centre at Newtonmore, Scotland. Since then, the activity has spread throughout Britain, taking the breed with it.

Peter Kapp and Wendy Rowe, members of the Scottish Highland Pony Society of North America, and owners of Lonetree Farms, echo Lee Ann. "As the native equine of Scotland, these hardy ponies have adapted over centuries to survive in a harsh environment on the windswept moors and mountains. This ancient and versatile breed has played many roles in Scottish history, from carrying warriors into battle to serving as an all-purpose draft animal on the small Highland farms, or crofts."

And certainly as the perfect family equine. With so few remaining members of the breed, we salute the different organizations and enthusiasts for maintaining the hardy, sweet Scottish Highland Pony.

Sources: Equus Survival Trust, www.equus-survival-trust.org/; Highland Pony Enthusiasts Club of America, http://www.hpeca.org/; Lone Tree Farm, http://www.highlandponies.com; The Scottish Highland Pony Society of North America, http://www.highland-pony.org.