Garron

A garron or garran, from Gaelic gearran, is a type of a small sturdy horse or pony. The term occurs in Scotland and in Ireland,^[1] and generally refers to an undersized beast.

In Scotland a garron is one of the types of Highland pony.^[2] It is the larger, heavier type bred on the mainland. The isles' type of Highland pony is generally smaller and slightly finer, but still within the breed standard. There is less difference today than there once was between these two types.

The word garron was also used to describe a highland cross of a Clydesdale horse used in farming, especially in the highlands and isles where a full size Clydesdale would not have been as economical. These horses were valued for their hardiness and ability to work on slopes.^[3]

Also, see garrano, an ancient Portuguese breed of pony.

Mentions in literature

Garrons are also mentioned a number of times in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. There, garrons are used in cold, mountainous areas, generally to the North near the Wall.^[4]

The word is used by R.S. Surtees in the first chapter of Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities.

Garrons is used frequently in Susan Fraser King's novel Lady Macbeth especially to describe mounts for ladies and children in historic Scotland.

References

1. Garron, Dictionary,com
2. Ewart, J Cossar (1904). "The Multiple Origin of Horses and Ponies". Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. XVI (1799): 266–267. Bibcode:1904Natur..69..590.. doi:10.1038/069590a0.
3. Topham, John. A Highland Garron horse ploughing at Coubal, Shetland (accessed 2014-10-15)
4. Martin, George R R (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Spectra. p. 202. ISBN 0-553-57342-X.