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Around 1960, a man named William M. Pugh brought home to
his farm in Smyth County, Virginia, a little Arabian/Tennessee Walking Horse
mare. She gave birth to a lovely colt, who looked like he had been sired by
a Welsh pony. This colt was exceptional because he was small and
flashy-looking and could trot and singlefoot like no other. Therefore,
"Pogo" was the inspiration for the Virginia Highlander. The origins of this
pony breed are the Welsh Pony and the Hackney Pony, the Arabian, American
Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, and the Morgan. After thirty years of a
breeding program, the registry began in the early 1990s with the foundation
stallions, Shadow of the Ridge and Red Cloud.
Virginia Highlanders are gentle and naturally gaited. They are easy to keep,
have kind personalities and keen intelligence, and are also the perfect size
for women and children. The Virginia Highlander is the perfect pony for a
family pet, a show pony, or a trail horse that can keep up with larger
breeds: this breed is the perfect sport pony.
These ponies stand no taller than 15 hands and have
fine heads with wideset eyes of great expression. They are commonly roan,
but are also known to be chestnut, black, and white. There are more than
fifty registered Virginia Highlander horses registered with the breed
registry, which was founded in 1991.
Virginia
Highlander Ponies
Gaited Horses: Virginia Highlander
Virginia
Highlander Pony Info
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