Outline:
Scottish Highland ponies, which originate from Scotland and are part of the ‘
‘In Danger’ category on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist
will be featured at this year’s Scottish Game Fair (4-6 July).
Highland ponies usually reach heights of around 14.2 hands high and have origins dating back to the 1500s. Renowned for their robustness and power, they’ve served various roles including military service, agriculture, logging, and stag hunting. Additionally, these dependable animals excel both under saddle and in harness.
This breed was likewise favoured by
Queen Elizabeth II
.
The breeding program for Her Majesty’s Highland ponies ran from Balmoral Castle in Scotland until it was declared that the animals would be moved to Hampton Court after her passing.
The Highland breed
Renowned for their dense, weather-resilient coats and robust structure, Highland ponies are well-adapted to traverse difficult landscapes, including steep inclines and wet, marshy heathlands.
They possess the capability and force needed to transport gear, as well as help with extracting deer. Typical characteristics encompass intelligence, patience, and trainability.
“As the biggest mountain and moorland pony breed in Scotland, these creatures are particularly well-adapted to the challenging terrains found across the country, rendering them reliable and adaptable beasts of burden,” stated an official release.
The exhibition featuring Highland and Hill ponies will be held in the principal area during the Scottish Game Fair, which takes place within the premises of Scone Palace.
“Core reasons for using working hill ponies on estates include responsible gamekeeping and landscape conservation. These animals exert a minimal effect on the hills due to their light footprint, making them a far more environmentally friendly choice compared to heavy, fuel-powered machines,” stated the report.
Discover more details and reserve your spots
here
.
The main photograph features Highland mare Balmoral Ghillie along with her foal and their handler, Kimberly Watson, at Scone Palace, captured by Stewart Attwood Photography.
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Exhibition featuring scarce Highland pony breed set to occur in Scotland
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