Of all the breeds of pony native to Great Britain, the Highland Pony is both the largest and the strongest. This surefooted little horse hails from the north of Scotland, one of only two breeds to truly originate in this area. The Highland Pony evolved naturally, with very little input from humans. It was shaped entirely by the harsh environment so characteristic of northern Scotland. This resulted in a strong breed with few natural flaws.
The Highland Pony was prized by farmers (also called crofters) in Scotland as an all-purpose horse. It could haul the plow one day and bring home a hunter's kill the next. Able to haul up to 200 pounds of deadweight, this larger pony was a favorite as a pack animal and trail horse. Today the Highland Pony is popular as a family pony, especially for young children.
Standing from 13 to 14.2 hands high, the Highland Pony is typically a dull dun in color. Other acceptable colors include black, brown, chestnut, and even gray. Most ponies have a flaxen mane and tail, especially the darker coat colors.
Because of its natural origins, this breed usually sports some primitive markings. This can include a dorsal stripe, zebra patterning on the legs, and feathering at the base of the legs. There may also be a short beard on the chin.
With a muscled neck and a broad forehead, these little horses have a strong and muscular appearance. They are popular for pulling smaller carts and are great with children and other animals. They also make an appearance in the show ring, particularly in driving and other sporting events. Today, The Highland Pony Society is the society most concerned with the breeding and preservation of this strong pony.
Most warmblood breeds are named after their region of origin, and the Hanoverian is no exception. This majestic breed originates in Lower Saxony, which is now part of northern Germany but was once the kingdom of Hannover. Hence the name.
The Hanoverian, however, isn't an ancient breed. In 1714, King George I of England (who was the original elector of Hannover) decided to send several English Thoroughbreds to Hannover in an attempt to refine the native stock in that region. His son (George II) wanted to supply the military with top cavalry mounts and create the perfect working horse for the local farms. To do so, he created a state stud at Celle in 1735. At first, he used black Holsteiners, but eventually Thoroughbreds were added to the breeding program. And thus the Hanoverian was born.
The original station in Celle is still the center of the Hanoverian breeding program. Many of the best examples of this prime eventing breed come straight from Celle, and all true Hanoverians can trace their lineage back to this first stallion station.
The Hanoverian can stand between 15.3 to 17 hands high. Acceptable colors include bay, black, brown, chestnut, and gray. The Hanoverian is purely a sporting horse, so the conformation of the haunches is of the upmost importance. For this reason, horses that do not conform to the established standards are not bred. In fact, they are typically sterilized to avoid accidental breedings.
This breed has powerful hindquarters, but also possesses the grace necessary to compete in dressage. They can really move, typically covering ground with a spring in their step. The movement is full of grace, power, and impulsion, giving them an aptitude for jumping. They can also be used for farm work or employed as trail horses. In short, they are versatile enough to suit most purposes and beautiful enough to attract just about anyone.
Many of these stunning horses can be found competing and winning in dressage, jumping, eventing, and combined driving. They're even seen in the hunter ring. Today, the American Hanoverian Association is primarily involved in their breeding and conservation in North America.
The true origins of the Haflinger horse are a little murky, but they may have been present in the southern Tyrolean Mountains of Austria and northern Italy since medieval times. Perhaps even longer, though independent evidence of this is hard to come by. At any rate, this horse breed is named for the village of Hafling in the Tyrolean Mountains where they served as farm horses. This stocky breed has always been a general purpose horse, so its uses on farms was almost limitless.
The breed has been kept fairly pure throughout the centuries, with only one known outcrossing having occurred during the recorded breeding of Haflinger horses. This outcrossing happened in the 1800s when the stallion Folie was bred to a Haflinger mare. Folie's sire was half Arabian, making Folie only mostly Haflinger (he was one-quarter Arabian). All other recorded breedings have been pure.
All Haflingers have a similar appearance. Chestnut, whether light or dark, is the only acceptable color. The mane and tail are always white (or very near to white). White markings, particularly on the face, underbelly, and legs, are common. Standing from 13.2 to 15 hands high, the Haflinger horse is a sturdy but elegant medium-sized breed. They are also athletic enough for farm or other work.
Today the Haflinger is used primarily for riding and driving, though there are still some used for farm work in the Tyrolean Mountains. They are no longer confined to Austria and Italy, but can be found around the world.
In the late 17th and early 18th century, rutted tracks were replaced with smooth roads in Great Britian, at least in the cities. This meant that the heavy cart horses of previous centuries were just too bulky and slow for the new carriages that were developed. A light, fast carriage horse was needed, and this is where the Hackney has its roots.
Thought to be descended from Friesians, the Hackney horse was selectively bread from the Arabian, the Norfolk Trotter, the Thoroughbred, and the Yorkshire Roadster. The Hackney was beautiful and had a lovely gait, but that wasn't all that led to their widespread use. When it became known that the Hackney could trot 60 miles in a single day, the demand for these lovely horses outshone the supply very quickly.
The Hackney ranges in size from 14 to 15.3 hands high. The smaller of the horses are more accurately referred to as ponies. Regardless of size, the Hackney horse is an elegant equine with a small head, delicate muzzle, and pretty little ears. They have a high-stepping gait that is their trademark and a lean and graceful body. Hackneys can be found in most colors and patterns, including bay, black, brown, and chestnut. Spotted hackneys, though unusual, are not unheard of and are particularly lovely.
Today, the American Hackney Horse Society is the most popular society to deal with this lovely show horse. Known for its graceful trot, this horse breed is a popular driving horse is found often in the show ring.
