Garron

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A garron or garran (from Scottish Gaelic: gearran) is a small, sturdy horse or pony. The term occurs in Scotland and Ireland and generally refers to an undersized beast.

In Scotland, a garron is one of the types of Highland pony. It is the larger, heavier type, bred on the mainland. The Isles' kind of pony is generally smaller and slightly finer, but still within the standard of the Highland pony breed. There is less difference today than there once was between these two types.

The word garron may also characterise a Highland cross of a Clydesdale horse with ponies. Farmers used such garrons, especially in the Highlands and Islands, where a full-sized Clydesdale would not have been as economical. These horses were valued for their hardiness and ability to work on slopes. Highland deer-stalking estates kept garrons to bring the stags off the hill, as some still do, for tradition or where ATV access is not practicable.

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