Ponies are well adapted to life on Exmoor
The Exmoor Pony Society has been safe-guarding the Exmoor pony in its natural habitat and on sites throughout the UK, Europe and North America since 1921.
Exmoor has been shaped by the ponies as much as Exmoor has shaped the ponies themselves. The breed is well known for its role in conservation grazing both returning and preserving sites to ensure that natural habitats survive. Equally, the ponies are well-adapted to cope with life on Exmoor.
Exmoor ponies were the modern tractors of yesteryear being used for herding, log-pulling, ploughing and collecting the groceries! Nowadays, their role is one of a riding pony and they can be seen in the show ring, show jumping, hunting, driving and on endurance rides to name but a few equestrian disciplines.
Each year the moorland herds are gathered into their respective farms in the autumn and a number of the foals, having been registered into the studbook, are sold or, through the Moorland Mousie Trust, allocated to conservation grazing site.
The Exmoor pony is recognised as a rare native breed by the Rare Breed Survival Trust and FAnGR and form part of the Higher Level Stewardship payments scheme.
If you would like to learn more about the Exmoor pony or are considering the use of ponies for conservation grazing sites then please contact the Exmoor Pony Society.
MORE: Sue McGeever, Secretary, Exmoor Pony Society, Woodmans, Brithem Bottom, Cullompton, Devon
EX15 1NB Tel: 01884 839930 or 0845 607 5350 Email: secretary@exmoorponysociety.org.uk
