BREED DESCRIPTION:
The breed is a strong, well balanced, compact pony with all its features in proportion to its height. It is one of the largest of the British Native Breeds, and should show substance and strength - short cannon bones , well developed forearm and second thigh, deep chest, well sprung ribs, strong quarters, broad flat hocks and knees, and hard round feet.
Height: 13.0hh to 14.2hh (Breeding stallions are required to be 14.2hh or under for licensing).
Head: 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, strong second thigh, and clean, flat hocks.
Legs: Flat, hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones (ideally 8" - 9"), oblique pasterns, and well shaped, broad, hard dark hooves.
Mane and Tail: Hair should be natural flowing and untrimmed with full tail.
Merryboys Imperial, TN (Photo by Jill Meuller)
Colours: 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. Foal coats often change and many ponies change colour gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original colour. Others show a slight seasonal change in colour between winter and summer coats. Broken colours are not allowed.
Stallions: With white markings other than a small white star are NOT eligible for licensing with the Highland Pony Society in Scotland.
Action: Straight and free moving without undue knee action.
The breed is a strong, well balanced, compact pony with all its features in proportion to its height. It is one of the largest of the British Native Breeds, and should show substance and strength - short cannon bones , well developed forearm and second thigh, deep chest, well sprung ribs, strong quarters, broad flat hocks and knees, and hard round feet.
Height: 13.0hh to 14.2hh (Breeding stallions are required to be 14.2hh or under for licensing).
Head: 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, strong second thigh, and clean, flat hocks.
Legs: Flat, hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones (ideally 8" - 9"), oblique pasterns, and well shaped, broad, hard dark hooves.
Mane and Tail: Hair should be natural flowing and untrimmed with full tail.
Merryboys Imperial, TN (Photo by Jill Meuller)
Colours: 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. Foal coats often change and many ponies change colour gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original colour. Others show a slight seasonal change in colour between winter and summer coats. Broken colours are not allowed.
Stallions: With white markings other than a small white star are NOT eligible for licensing with the Highland Pony Society in Scotland.
Action: Straight and free moving without undue knee action.