In the 1950s as the use of tractors became more widespread on our farms, the Highland pony was displaced. The breed found a new purpose, pony trekking. Today ponies are used for jumping, dressage and endurance amongst other disciplines, but it is as family ponies that most make their mark.

With staggering ability as ridden, driven and working ponies bringing deer off the hill, the ‘garron’ as the Highland is sometimes known can turn its hoof to most things. The greatest show of these ponies is undoubtedly at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston near Edinburgh in June each year. Other highlights include the breed show, but it is on the studs, out on the hills, in show rings, fields and paddocks that this special breed stands proud.

Heidi Sands has captured the essence of the breed on film with her beautiful photographs, depicting them in their natural environment at work and at play.

Born in rural Lancashire Heidi Sands has spent the last 20 years living and working on Speyside in north east Scotland. Her writing career took off in 1995. Contributing more than 300 illustrated articles to UK wide magazines with equine, rural or agricultural themes, she studied art and design, including photographic studies, at Preston Polytechnic and Blackpool and Fylde College in the 1980s. Farming in partnership with her husband, Heidi’s interests include native ponies and fell walking in the Lake District.

Imprint: PiXZ Books. ISBN 978 1 906887 76 6, hardback, 110x155mm, 64 pages. Published March 2010.