Although I've bred a number of horses over the years and kept Highlands for riding since the late 1970s, I only started breeding Highland Ponies seriously, on the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage in 1996.
SNH advised that the best way to provide the invertebrates needed for Choughs (rare birds of the crow family), was to run a herd of ponies which would provide the necessary dung along the coast where Choughs breed.
My aim is to produce quiet but forward-going ponies which will make good all-round riding ponies that are healthy and hardy. Whitefield King Duncan's progeny are highly suitable for dressage, being free-moving and well balanced, with excellent conformation, but equally should do well in any field.
Youngsters usually run on the 400 acres of natural permanent grassland and moorland for three years, so that when they leave, they are well adjusted ponies which have learnt to socialize in small herds, to negotiate rough terrain and to live outside in all weathers. Occasionally, weanlings are sold.
Mares usually go to a stallion only every second year, which means they can run with their foals (always outside) until the following Spring. By that time they are easily weaned with other youngsters in a stress-free way.
The farm (600 hundred acres in all) covers nearly three miles of coastline on the Isle of Islay - which is due west of Glasgow in Scotland, UK. Islay has a mild climate and although it can be wet and windy from time to time, it also has a good level of sunshine. Frosts and snow are rare here. We have two or three ferries a day, and two flights a day from Glasgow (a two hour ferry journey or a forty minute flight).
Above: I'm Jane Dawson, the boss ! With my Wiemaraner, Aneka.
Below is my adorable Border Terrier "Ratty", who is a very cheerful little dog, despite looking so miserable here !
Above, checking Tamara just after she'd foaled, is Gilbert, who's been my right hand man and chief assistant since the mid 1980s.
Above: is Andy, farrier, fencer and chief pony handler, who was working at the farm part-time. He's now rather busy with his own stock and farriery.
This photo was taken some years ago, of Andy riding Money Spider - daughter of my "best horse in the world" Branta, who was the daughter of my late husband's Irish Draught mare Solway. I'm in the process of writing another book - this one about Spider and others, but it may be a long while in the writing...........
Money Spider's daughter Miss MoneyPenny (by Whitefield King Duncan) is the fourth generation of her family and has now been sold.
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In the distance you can see the new house "An Linnean" being built. It is now finished and taking reservations for self-catering holidays. An Linnean is run along with Ellister House by my daughter Lucy.
It is well worth staying in May/June for the foaling season, as both houses overlook the foaling field; and during October during the Red Deer rut - as we are surrounded by many stags keeping their hinds together.
Above you can see the old farm house "Ellister House" with the waterfowl ponds to the left. My own new house is just behind Ellister House (shown diagramatically) and An Linnean is at the top of the picture, beside the reservoir.
(The photo above is a very old one, taken in winter).
I have now moved into my new house, above, and I am loving every minute of living there - with ponies in view from every window. My study has fantastic views over Lochindaal and to the Mull of Kintyre as well.
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My older daughter, Heather, is now running self-catering accommodation from my old house - Lagmore House - which is beside the Atlantic, in possibly the best location on the Isle of Islay.
The house is actually two separate ones with an adjoining door in the middle - ideal for two families. The conservatory has fantastic views and is great for birdwatching.
Lagmore House is in the village of Portnahaven, (a couple of miles south of the farm) and is actually two self contained parts with adjoining door between. Ideal for family in the right hand half and granny and grampy in the left half ! A sandy bay is only a two minute walk away.
Here are links to the three houses' websites if you're interested in a holiday on Islay. Links open in the same window.
Ellister House Or copy and paste the url: www.easterellister.co.uk
Lagmore House Or copy & paste the url: www.lagmorehouse.co.uk
An Linnean Or copy & paste the url: www.anlinnean.co.uk
