The Rum ponies

The Rum pony holds a unique position on the island. It is a specific breed with historical lineage, a working animal used for bringing culled deer down from the hills and is just lovely to see around Kinloch.

The Rum pony is related to the Western Isles pony, being smaller than the Skye or highland varieties (13.1-13.3 hands, rarely >14). Thickset, powerful, with long thick forelocks from top of the head to the muzzle, long manes and thick bushy tails. Variety of colours – mouse dun, chestnut with silver mane and tail. All have eel-stripe along back and zebra stripes on forelegs – leads some to suggest link with primitive North European breeds.

The origin of the Rum ponies is not clear. A popular theory is that they were off-loaded by the Spanish Armada in 1588 as they tried to escape the British fleet. However, the Admiral of the Spanish fleet actually ordered them be thrown overboard on the East coast of Scotland, with the majority being mules.
More likely, is that they were transported to Scotland from West Mediterranean / Spain along well established trade routes.

A lovely docile animal the Rum ponies welfare is a high priority, every year a farrier comes across to the island and gives the ponies a new set of shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

text adapted from snh source.
images © George Logan