 The island has small herds of ponies , feral goats ( Capra hircus ) and Highland cattle . The pony herd , which now numbers about a dozen animals , was first recorded on the island in 1772 , and in 1775 they were described as being " very small , but a breed of eminent beauty " . They are small in stature , averaging only 13 hands in height and all have a dark stripe down their backs and zebra stripes on their forelegs . These features have led to speculation that they may be related to primitive northern European breeds , although it is more likely that they originate from the western Mediterranean . It is sometimes claimed that they are descended from animals that travelled with the Spanish Armada , although it is probable that they arrived by more conventional means . The goat stocks were improved for stalking in the early 20th century and acquired a reputation for the size of their horns and the thickness of their fleeces . The flock of about 200 spends most of its time on the western sea cliffs . The native cattle were re @-@ introduced in 1970 , having been absent since the 19th century clearances . The herd of 30 grazes in the Harris area from September to June , and further north in Glen Shellesder in the summer months . 
