morrichhighlandponies.co.uk/index.htm

The Morrich Stud is a small herd of pedigree Highland ponies located in the far north of the Highlands of Scotland where the breed originated. The foundation stock is carefully chosen from traditional lines with the aim of breeding primarily for temperament but with a careful eye for conformation. These hardy ponies are noted for their willing and generous natures which enables them to compete in their own right at all levels or to produce a great cross.

Josethdene is here and is currently running with three mares. available at public stud initially except to a few chosen mares. He is a 9 year old stallion from the famous Ballinton Stud, bred by Scott McGregor who emigrated with most of his ponies to Australia to be near his daughter. Salinadene, his mother, was one of Scott's favourite mares but considered too old to travel so she was left in the UK. An obituary for Salinadene can be found at http://www.debbiespears.co.uk/links.htm (scroll down). Josethdene has sired at least nine foals so he is a dad already.

Josethedene was chosen because of his excellent breeding and superb temperament. As a trainer, temperament is of supreme important to me! But he has also excelled at shows as his "for sale" advertisement (reproduced below) on the Highland Pony Society web site confirms:

JOSETHDENE 194/99 (Licence HP0204)

9 year old grey stallion, 14.1hh (Maverickdene x Salinadene). A very handsome boy with manners to burn. He has many show ring wins that include championships at: Ponies UK Summer, NPS Summer, Northern Horse Show, NPS Scotland, Breed Show, HPEC area shows, etc. He also enjoys success at unaffiliated dressage and arena eventing. He loves to jump and has been round local farm rides. I would dearly love Joseth to go to a breeding home in order to utilise his rare bloodlines! Therefore, part exchange for a show quality youngster would be very seriously considered. Open to inspection and vetting.

A copy of Josethdene's pedigree can be seen at: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/josethdene

It is hoped to be able to make Joe available to a limited number of visiting mares next season.

The Highland pony was probably first used as a pack horse where water transport could not be used and before there were many roads in Scotland. Of course, it was also used as a riding pony but archaeological evidence points to the ponies being smaller -- probably about 12HH -- than they are today. Later, after the invention of the horse collar, this breed of pony has traditionally been used as the work horse of the Scottish small farmer or crofter, so it is appropriate that they are now being bred on a small working farm.

They are strong, hardy, very docile, and easily managed. New comers to the Highland often remark on their wonderfully willing temperaments. Growing to a maximum height of 14.2HH, these ponies are amazing! They have long been used on Highland sporting estates for carrying grouse and deer off the hills. (See picture). They can carry a stag of up to 15 stone (210lbs or 95kgs) or a man of similar weight over the roughest terrain.

More recently, the ponies have become popular for pony trekking and competition as they are an easy-care breed quite suitable for the whole family. In the recent past, the Highland was is such demand for crossing to produce a Hunter/show jumper/sports horse that they were listed by The Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The only "problem" with the Highland is their ability to live off poor quality grazing in harsh conditions. So, not only can they live out all year, but they will put on weight (and so are in danger of Laminitis) at the mere mention of the word "GR*SS"! Over winter, they grow a thick woollen water repellent coat which keeps out the wind.

My name is Derry Argue and I have had a long career as a breeder of pedigree working pointers and Lleyn sheep. I qualified as a chartered agricultural surveyor and for a few years worked managing large sporting estates in the Highlands until setting up my own business. I was probably responsible for popularising the Lleyn in Scotland and used to have my own special sales of the breed, with sheep brought up from Wales, in Inverness. These days Lleyns are a common breed in Scotland and no longer put in the Exotic section at shows! My dogs have been exported to nearly 30 countries world-wide (go to http://www.adviegundogs.co.uk for more information) so I am well versed in pedigree breeding. Although I have owned horses and unregistered Highland ponies in the past, the establishment of this small pedigree herd in my retirement fulfils a life long ambition.

The name, Morrich Highland Ponies, is taken from the name of the large area of sandy wasteland, The Morrich Mhor, next to the Dornoch Firth, currently used by the Ministry of Defence as a weapons training area. There is some uncertainty about the meaning of the name but it probably means "the big sandy barren area near the sea" in Gaelic.

Why is the farm called Miller's Place? Nobody seems to know but this is possibly where those who milled the corn lived in the past. The farm has certainly been occupied from ancient times as I found a midden (rubbish dump) of mussel shells one day when digging a hole for a dead sheep and also picked up a flint chip the archaeologists tell me ancient man would have used as a knife. Flint arrow heads and antlers of giant elk have also been found. The farm lies just below a "raised beach" which is a high bank thrown up by the glaciers many thousands of years ago. The land is very flat and good drainage depends on keeping the ditches clean. The soil is fine sand but there is clay through it which means it grows good grass -- probably too good for Highland ponies!

Four mares were purchased in 2006 - 2007. These included an in-foal yellow dun mare, Meeceside Gracie, from 100% Whitefield breeding; a grey dun mare, Glentrowan Belina, with foal (Upperlochton Fergus) at foot ; and two grey dun mares purchased not in foal, both sired by The Cock 'o the North. These are Mary-Mac of Tormore and Kinkell Breagha. The first two mares have now been served by two sons of Cock 'o the North and the latter two have been served by Sporradene of Kildavie. A fifh mare, Lalgarve Mistletoe, was purchased in 2008 and is being schooled by Holly Philp. Mistletoe is currently running with Sporrandene of Kildavie. You will find photographs of these ponies and links to their pedigrees below.

Free Loading
Training a horse to load by itself on command:

As a dog trainer and falconer, I am fascinated by the learning process! Two of the mares (10yo and 13yo) had real problems loading into a trailer when they arrived. One would stop when she was led within 25 yards of the trailer and the other would just stop on the ramp and freeze! Three of us more-or-less lifted this last one to get her loaded to go to the stallion and it took two of us 2.5 hours to load the 13yo to bring her here!

The usual way to load a horse is to lead it in. But that is a problem because most accidents happen when a handler is in a confined space with a nervous horse. I read of another way; simply train the horse to load itself! So the mares have been trained to load on command. The first step was to familiarise them with the trailer which was left attached to an old Land Rover and left in the same field over winter. Then hay was left in the trailer so they learnt to go in and out to feed. Next, the trailer was left backed up to a gate. To get to fresh grass every day, as the electric fence was moved, the ponies had to go in at the rear ramp and out of the front ramp! Initially, they'd do that at the gallop, then after a while, they'd walk through, then would linger to pull at a hay net.

Left:
Gracie walks through the trailer. She has come from a bare section of the field beyond the trees fenced off with tape, through my small corral (left) formed by hanging a couple of extra gates in the gateway, then through the trailer.

When they reached that stage, the front ramp was closed and the ponies were worked in a small corral. If they so much as put a foot on the ramp, the pressure was taken off and they were allowed to rest. Everything up to this point was done with the centre partition removed. Gradually, they were asked to go further into the trailer. Each day, the pressure was removed when they put a foot an inch or two further up the ramp. After a while, they would go half way in -- but come out immediately. This is all part of the process and I read that they should be allowed to come out without any force being applied. It reassures a prey species to know that it has a safe escape route from danger.

Gradually, the ponies relaxed and would pull at a hay net hung part way down the trailer. Inch by inch, they were encouraged to feed further and further in. Each time they went to go into the trailer I'd shout "Load up!". Finally the day came when I had a visitor. As we stood leaning on the outside of the coral I explained what I had been doing. Then I shouted "Load up!". Molly obligingly walked straight into the trailer on cue. My visitor was most impressed. Now, at this stage, the mares are taken from the field to the corral where they go into the trailer for treats (a small ration of bruised oats, chopped apples and carrots. They canter down the field and go straight into the trailer without being asked while I bang the sides, clatter bum bars, and generally de-sensitise them to strange noises. Molly is even tolerating my rocking the trailer from side to side on its springs!

Left: Gracie is now at the fence ready to get some fresh grass, Molly (one of my previously bad loaders) follows through the trailer.

The mare and foal were put through a similar routine. At first, the foal would not go into the trailer, but after mum had gone through, he was pushed through and soon got the idea. After a few goes he was walking through quite unconcerned. Success!! I really do enjoy training as it makes me think how the animal's mind is working and that is always interesting.

Stop press: Since having an accident when two wheels came off the trailer with Molly and Breagha on board, Molly is again reluctant to load. Breagha couldn't care less and loads without hesitation which is an interesting insight into how the horse's mind works! More work needed on Molly!

Above: Glentrowan Belina with her foal (sired by Lord Barney of Tormore) a few minutes after birth and later the same day.

Left: Janet and John Parkin, owner of the foal's sire, Lord Barney of Tormore, kindly showed Bell and her foal at The Dornoch Show (where they were First) and The Black Isle (Third) in the Mare & Foal class and Best Foal.

Gracie foaled a filly on the 9th March 2007. The foal was very small and weak and had to be bottle fed, than assisted to the udder every few hours for the first few days! Gracie was fantastic! She submitted to being milked and the foal being man-handled up to her without flinching and often without being tied. I was advised to make a coat for the foal and one leg of a pair of waterproof leggings were just the job. After three days of sleepless days and night, the foal got the hang of things and hasn't looked back since.

Left: Meeceside Gracie with her first foal, just two days old on 11th March 2007. But see below!

As you can see, the foal's poor start didn't do her any harm and she was soon racing around the field trying to out-pace her mum and splashing through the puddles like any kid!

Note the zebra stripes on the foal's legs which are peculiar to the breed. These will disappear with age and she will probably be a grey dun.

Belina was bred by Heather Turnbull and is an extremely pretty mare who breeds nice foals. She is the mother of Fergus. She was served by Lord Barney of Tormore again in 2008.

Click here to see a copy of Mary Mac of Tormore's (Molly's) pedigree.

Molly loves people but as she was on the hill for a few years before being broken can be a bit wary. But she is a credit to her father, The Cock o' the North.

Although served by Sporrandene of Kildavie in 2007 and 2008 she has returned to Josethdene after tested empty.

Click here to see a copy of Kinkell Breagha's pedigree. Breagha is a solid, reliable type, a typical of many "east coast" highland ponies built for strength. Before she came to me she was being ridden out daily by an 11 year old boy.

Although served by Sporrandene of Kildavie in 2007 and 2008 she has returned to Josethdene after tested empty.

Meeceside Gracie 296/98

Click here to see a copy of Gracie's pedigree. Gracie has a superb temperament and is exactly what a Highland pony should be though I do not claim she would win many shows. She was served by Highfield Glen Albyn in 2008.

Awaiting photograph -- Mistletoe was purchased from Jane Dawson of Ellister Islay Highland Ponies and has been running with Sporrandene of Kildavie.

Sire of Mary-Mac of Tormore and Kinkell Breagha, two of my foundation brood mares. This famous stallion is now dead but I used two of his sons (Lord Barney and Just William - see below) on two mares (Meeceside Gracie and Glentrowan Belina) in 2007. Glentrowan Belina has been served by him again in 2008 because her previous foal turned out so well. To see Cock o' the North's pedigree, click here.

Sporrandene of Kildavie "Mac": Sire of Gracie's foal, above.
To see Sporrandene of Kildavie's pedigree, click here.

Two mares, Mary Mac of Tormore and Kinkell Breagha, were served by Sporrandene of Kildavie "Mac" in June 2007. Unfortunately, both mares were blood tested empty. They were returned for service in 2008 but again returned empty. They have both been served by Josethdene since arriving back home at the Morrich Stud.

Lord Barney of Tormore (a son of Cock o' the North) served Glentrowan Belina in June 2007. She has gone back to him this year, 2008, because he produced such a nice colt from the last service!

Just William of Tormore (a son of The Cock o' the North) served Meeceside Gracie in June 2007.

Highfield Glen Albyn owned by Liana Carrol and standing at Chapelton Farm, Muir of Ord, is currently running with Meeceside Gracie. Click here for Albyn's pedigree.

This colt has been well handled. He loads easily, is good with the farrier, comes to call and is easily caught. He has a superb temperament with a great action in all paces (See videos). This boy should have a great future in the show ring as he has the breeding and the looks. He is expected to be a grey dun with dark legs, tail, and mane, and around 14.2HH (145cms) high at maturity. Price, which includes VAT, on application. A VAT receipt will be issued on request.

For a video clip of Fergus in action, click here: Upperlochton Fergus 3b - Fergus was weaned gradually, first being put into an adjacent field, then into a field 150 yards away, which is where you'll see him in this clip. He is upset at missing mum and takes it out in galloping harmlessly up and down the field. After half an hour or so he is quite settled, but meantime it does mean you can see him in action and what great potential he has! He is, of course, now fully weaned. Broadband is probably needed to view the video clip.

Putting in the posts. Each post is too heavy for two strong men to lift, but they were sunk into four foot holes by myself working alone with a cunning arrangement of "A" frames and the quad.

All the posts have been secured with rammed hard core in the holes and the roof timbers are being nailed in place.

Completed at last. The shelter measures 30ft long by 12ft wide and has since be strengthened on the advice of my architect with bracing on all posts. I made a mistake with the placing of the nearest post which is a few inches out. But the ponies don't seem to mind!

Since finishing the shed, I've install gates and a divider so a section can be partitioned off. Kyla, the foal, will be put in there for gradual weaning and handling. There are also hay racks to be fitted along the back wall and possibly a self-fill water bowl.

I have been exporting my own dogs, and occasionally hawks, all over the world for more than thirty years, so if you are overseas and interested in acquiring a Highland pony, please let me know. If I can't help, I probably know someone who can!