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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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