The Exmoor Pony

The Exmoor Pony is found mainly in Exmoor living a semi-wild existence.. Exmoor is situated in the south-west of Britain, spanning the borders of Somerset and Devon, its northern boundary being the high cliffs of the Bristol Channel. It is an area of high moorland (highest point Dunkery Beacon, 520m.), divided by steep wooded valleys and interspersed with enclosed farms. This provides a varied diet of moor grasses, rushes, heather and gorse. Although it was once prolific, the breed is now greatly reduced and there are ongoing, strictly monitered breeding programmes to ensure its continuation. The Exmoor pony is one of the better known feral ponies in Europe and they run free over the moorlands, although some are bred at private studs.

They are a truly primitive breed with dun coloring with mealy muzzle and belly. Caves in the Mendip Hills have revealed horse bones identical to modern Exmoor ponies from 12,000 years BC, thought to be from Pony type 1. Pony type 1 derived from north-west Europe and was a small but very tough and hardy pony which probably stood between 12hh and 12.2hh. They lived in harsh conditions and were seemingly resistant to wet and cold, qualities that are still retained in the Exmoor pony and other native (British) pony breeds. Pony Type 1 typically had a small head with a straight profile, broad forehead and small ears, as well as having a particular jaw formation which bears a striking similarity to the modern Exmoor pony.

Comparisons of the Exmoor pony to Pleistocene cave paintings of wild horses from France and Spain, and the similarity of the Exmoor to the Tarpan and Przewalskis horse, suggest that the Exmoor pony could be a relic of the wild horse. The Exmoor largely retained their original features and have not been over influenced by other breeds, due to the relative geographical isolation of their moorland habitat. They are extremely hardy and resistant to many equine diseases, as well as harsh weather conditions. Once a year, the Exmoors are rounded-up, inspected, branded with a star and the number of their herd on the near shoulder, and the pony's number on the left hind quarted. Colts considered below general standard are gelded.

The Exmoor pony has several distinctive features, most of which have evolved from enviromental conditions. They have a highly waterproof winter coat, composed of a double layer; the under layer is short and woolly, with the top layer being longer and greasy. This keeps the rain and cold out, and the heat in. Their eyes have a heavy top lid knownd as a 'toad eye', and their tails have a fan-like growth of bushy hair at the top. They have great stamina, strenght, and durability, and make good childrens' ponies.

In appearance, the ponies have primitive characteristics, including their dun coloring with black points. They have attractive heads which are wide across the forehead and have lighter markings around the eyes. The shoulders are reasonably sloping, they should be deep and wide through the chest, have a compact frame which is deep through the girth and short strong legs and hard hooves. The Exmoor mares have a height limit of 12.2hh and stallions and geldings of 12.3hh

Written by Salina Covich. - 2004 (c)

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