Go behind the scenes at The Queen’s Highland pony stud at Balmoral

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Balmoral Castle with the Highland ponies in the foreground - (LtoR) Balmoral Pageant, Blamoral Beacon, Sunblush of Gaick, Blamoral Serene and Balmoral Brave.
(Image credit: Jim Crichton)

In this week’s Royal special issue of Horse & Hound magazine (16 November 2017), Melanie Scott gets given an exclusive tour of The Queen's Highland pony stud at Balmoral Castle. Here’s a sneak peek...

The perfect view from breakfast?
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

The perfect view from breakfast?

This line up of ponies (from the left: Balmoral Pageant, Blamoral Beacon, Sunblush of Gaick, Blamoral Serene and Balmoral Brave) are oblivious to their paddock's backdrop — and the owner that might be enjoying watching them graze...

Haynets at the ready
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

Haynets at the ready

The team have prepared the haynets for when the ponies come off the hill, having dropped the deer off to the larder area

Rosettes galore
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

Rosettes galore

The office is a hub of activity for the admin that needs to be done for the Highlands, all of which are bred to work on the estate as a priority

An immaculate yard
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

An immaculate yard

There are only a few stables on the farm steading, which are rarely used — instead there is a covered tying-up area where the ponies are prepared for their work

A saddle to do a job
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

A saddle to do a job

The working ponies wear a specifically designed deer saddle while working out on the hill

The main estate office
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

The main estate office

The team is led by Sylvia Ormiston, the estate stud manager, who has had the job here for 10 years

A quiet moment
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

A quiet moment

Sylvia shares a moment with the foal Balmoral Bonnie

All mod cons
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

All mod cons

The stud may be the domain of The Queen, but it is kitted out with all the necessary modern facilities for a slick-running operation

The outdoor yard
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

The outdoor yard

On the day of H&H's visit the main stable block is a hive of activity with ponies and ghillies preparing for a day out on the hill

We don’t envy whoever is in charge of tack cleaning…
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

We don’t envy whoever is in charge of tack cleaning…

The working tack room for the hill ponies is packed with kit. The deer saddle is based on a pre-World War One pack saddle which is hinged at the wither and cantle to allow it to fit a variety of ponies

Ready to go
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

Ready to go

Balmoral Ulleam (William) is tacked up with the deer saddle

True love?
(Image credit: Picture by Jim Crichton)

True love?