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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. THE HIGHLAND PONY
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. Unfortunately, Highlands have made a reputation for themselves when crossed with other breeds, notably the Thoroughbred, to produce a Hunter/show jumper type so they are in demand for crossing and becoming rarer as a pure breed . ABOUT THE BREEDER My name is Derry Argue and I have had a long career as a breeder of pedigree working pointers and Lleyn sheep. I was probably responsible for popularising the Lleyn in Scotland and used to have regular sales in Inverness opf tups brought up from Wales. 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 fulfils a life long ambition. STUD NAME - MORRICH The name, Morrich Highland Ponies, is taken from the name of the large area of sandy wasteland next to the Dornoch Firth currently used by the Ministry of Defence as a weapons training area, The Morrich Mhor. There is some uncertainty about the meaning of the name but it probably means "the big sandy wasteland near the sea" in Gaelic. MILLER'S PLACE Why is the farm called Miller's Place? Nobody seems to know but this is possibly the area 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. The farm lies just below a "raised beach" which is a high bank thrown up by the glaciers 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! FOUNDATION STOCK 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. You will find photographs of these ponies and links to their pedigrees below.
Free Loading 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; 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 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: 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.
2008 Foals
Above: Glentrowan Belina with her foal (sired by Lord Barney of Tormore) a few minutes after birth and later the same day.
Click on thumb nail pictures to enlarge them.
Left: At age a few weeks.
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.
MEECESIDE GRACIE 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!
Left: Gracie's foal at one week old.
Progressing in leaps and
bounds and her novel rain coat dispensed with!
Click on thumb nail pictures to enlarge them.
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!
Gracie with the same foal on the 7th August 2007. 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.
Glentrowan Belina
Glentrowan Belina: To see Bell's pedigree, click here.
Mary Mac of Tormore
Click
here to see a
copy of Mary Mac of Tormore's (Molly's) pedigree.
Click here to see a copy of Kinkell Breagha's pedigree.
Meeceside Gracie 296/98
Click here to see a copy of Gracie's pedigree.
Lagalgarve Mistletoe 2003 Awaiting photograph -- Mistletoe was purchased from Jane Dawson of Ellister Islay Highland Ponies and will be put to Sporrandene of Kildavie shortly.
Stallions Used - past and present
Sire of Mary-Mac of Tormore and Kinkell Breagha, two of my foundation brood mares. This stallion is now dead but I have used two of his sons (Lord Barney and Just William - see below) on two mares (Meeceside Gracie and Glentrowan Belina) this year, 2007. To see Cock o' the North's pedigree, click here.
Sporrandene of
Kildavie "Mac": Sire of Gracie's foal, above, and owned by Holly Philp at
The
Lochalsh Highland Ponies.
Two mares, Mary Mac of Tormore and Kinkell Breagha, were served by Sporrandene of Kildavie "Mac" in June 2007.
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! To see his pedigree, click here.
Just William of Tormore (a son of The Cock o' the North) served Meeceside Gracie in June 2007. To see his pedigree, click here.
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. FOR SALE
An exceptionally nice registered two year old Highland Colt For Sale; The picture shows him at a yearling and still a gangly teenager! "Upperlochton Fergus" - foaled 15/5/2006.
Sire: 2002 Supreme Royal
Highland Champion "Coulnacraig Highlander"
Left: Fergus in the frost, January 2008.
Full pedigree at http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/upperlochton+fergus
This colt has been well handled. He boxes easily, allows his feet to be lifted, comes to call and is easily caught. He is very nice natured, good looking, with great action. (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 completely weaned. Fergus meets the Lochalsh herd! Click on this link: Lochalsh Herd - there is no soundtrack on this clip but you will see Fergus's interaction with the herd until, finally, he is inspected by the alpha gelding who reports back to the leading mare. This mare then approaches Fergus and he is accepted (provisionally!) into the herd. His final integration into the herd is completed in a few days. Broadband is probably needed to view the video clips. NEW FIELD SHELTER
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.
EXPORTS 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! Click on pictures to enlarge them!
Left: Lunch break. This is a shooting party, shooting grouse over pointers. Three teams of three Guns have come together for a lunch break. The dappled grey Highland pony has been used to carry lunch in the panniers which can just be seen in the background between the pony man and the pony. They will now be used to carry the dead grouse home. The Labradors are used to retrieve grouse shot over the pointers.
LINKS I found this site a great help in understanding the mind of the horse: http://www.aebc.com.au/articles and here's another good one on training... http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/process.shtml and one more on training a horse to load.... http://www.lesliedesmond.com/index.php?id=63 and a really excellent Australian one on loading that compares all the known methods: http://www.horseproblems.com.au/loading_and_floating_the_horse.htm and of course The Highland Pony Society: http://www.highlandponysociety.co.uk
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