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  Highlanders & Hanoverians › General › History, Real & Imagined › 18thc Highlanders rode Shetland ponies?!
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18thc Highlanders rode Shetland ponies?! (Read 17575 times)
01/14/07 at 17:02:39

desertrose   Offline
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Arizona, USA

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Ok, this is another question I have.  I saw paintings of 18thc Highlanders riding what appeared to be Shetland ponies instead of standard horses.  Apparently this was because of the Scotland Highland terrain and the Shetland ponies were more sure footed and such.  What do y'all make of this?  Thanks!  Smiley
 
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Reply #1 - 01/14/07 at 18:18:38

Webmaster Emeritus Kitty   Offline
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Probably not Shetland Ponies per se, but highland ponies...bigger and heavier than island ponies. I always got the impression that they were not primarily for riding, but could be ridden if needed...more of an all-around use animal. Thus endeth my knowledge of garrons, but yes, they were in fact ponies...they keep easier and are sturdier than larger horses, just more economical.
 
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Reply #2 - 01/14/07 at 19:31:05

desertrose   Offline
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Hey Webmaster! Thank you very much for you input.  This really helps me a lot.
 
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Reply #3 - 01/17/07 at 00:54:58

desertrose   Offline
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Arizona, USA

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Okay, a friend just sent me this!  What do y'all think?

http://www.highlandponysociety.com/highlandponies.htm

I think I managed to get Shetland ponies mixed up with Highland ponies...I am such a dweeb!  Embarrassed
 
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Reply #4 - 04/08/07 at 05:09:32

Andy_Robertson   Offline
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Thread Necromancy - sorry

Yup, Garrons are ponies - of the four we have they range between 13.2h and 15.2h. 

The 15.2h pony (although well over breed height already) is only 4 and should make about 16h when mature.

The 13.2h pony can take my weight very easily and I'm 15.5 stone.

Of course being 6'2 I do look silly (but very much like some of the period paintings)

Garrons were used extensively by the army, and the 2nd Dragoons were mounted on them when they made their famous charge at Waterloo.
 
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Reply #5 - 04/09/07 at 00:11:17

desertrose   Offline
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Arizona, USA

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Hey Andy! Thanks for starting thread up again. Well I am a complete idiot because I misunderstood my commander to say Shetland ponies when in fact he said Highland ponies...makes a huge difference. But we all got a big laugh out of it all the same.  Grin

Very thankful for what all you shared to educate. I greatly appreciated it all.

Many thanks!
 
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Reply #6 - 04/10/07 at 06:13:30

Tod   Offline
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Commanding Officer John
Roy Stewarts Regt.
Great Britain

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Andy, go on post a picture of you on your little pony. It'll make my day.
I must tell the lads to get youa  a my little pony gift for your birthday.  Grin
By the way Tony and June and joining RaT, you know you want to. Go on go on go on.
 
Commanding Officer John Roy Stewarts Regt.&&Rose and Thistle (RaT)&&
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Reply #7 - 04/11/07 at 08:44:42

Andy_Robertson   Offline
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Tod wrote on 04/10/07 at 06:13:30:
Andy, go on post a picture of you on your little pony. It'll make my day.



Your wish.....

...
 
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Reply #8 - 04/11/07 at 08:59:33

Vicar Wm Gray Beard Abernethy   Offline
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Quote:
The 13.2h pony can take my weight very easily and I'm 15.5 stone.  Of course being 6'2 I do look silly (but very much like some of the period paintings)


I see the Highland pony, and a fine beast he is, sitting there like a Highland gentleman for the camera!  But didn't Tod ask to see a photo of Andy mounted on his pony?  
Quote:
Andy, go on post a picture of you on your little pony. It'll make my day.

Why not post one of you in your re-enactment outfit riding off to do battle, Andy?
 
Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "Let none tread on me with impunity," the motto of the bull thistle, the flower of Scotland)
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Reply #9 - 04/11/07 at 10:27:37

Andy_Robertson   Offline
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D'ohh

Right, on Feorag (Squiral - the 13.2h pony)
...

And on my Irish Draught x Shire x TB
...

Keep meaning to do a Baggots picture with the highlands, but never seem to get round to it despite making a hat especially for the occasion...
 
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Reply #10 - 04/11/07 at 10:54:57

Tod   Offline
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Roy Stewarts Regt.
Great Britain

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Andy,
one of these we will come and kidnap you, Jules, and Alex plus the horses, dress you up and make you chase the Redcoats, especailly Nick.
It's going to happen you know it makes sence.
 
Commanding Officer John Roy Stewarts Regt.&&Rose and Thistle (RaT)&&
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Reply #11 - 04/11/07 at 10:59:09

Vicar Wm Gray Beard Abernethy   Offline
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upstate New York

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Well, there, now--you look fine on your fine looking ponies, Andy!  Thanks for posting the photos.  Did you take any of them to the Culloden filming?
 
Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "Let none tread on me with impunity," the motto of the bull thistle, the flower of Scotland)
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Reply #12 - 04/11/07 at 18:43:56

Andy_Robertson   Offline
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Ye gods no...!

The cost of transporting them up there would have bankrupted me.

Also especially not aided by thieving pikey bar-stuards stealing my towing vehicles in February  Angry

Stillk one day I intend to give Tod the mounted support that he so desperately needs against the vaguaries of Cobhams Dragoons.

Tod,

Julie's mates with the guy who owns Ruthvern, and he owns a large herd of Highlands who are trained and have appeared in such films as Rob Roy...

Now there's an opportunity  Wink
 
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Reply #13 - 11/29/07 at 07:27:39

Andy_Robertson   Offline
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Oh dear, Julie's not had a new pony all year, so here comes another....

...

His name is James, and he is a lovely chap.  Very personable.

The white foot goes against breed standards, so despite his Sire and Dam being Royal Highland Show winners, he's worthless as a showing pony.

Which is good for us, as we really can't be bothered with that sort of thing.

His face is turning grey now, and by the time he's matured, the rest of him will probably have followed suit.

Shame really, as I like the colour he is now.
 
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Reply #14 - 11/29/07 at 11:47:27

Tod   Offline
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Commanding Officer John
Roy Stewarts Regt.
Great Britain

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Andy we really need to talk, I need horsemen, you've got the kit, I think I can get you horses, I'll ring you Wink, I have a plan
 
Commanding Officer John Roy Stewarts Regt.&&Rose and Thistle (RaT)&&
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