Exmoor Pony
The Exmoor Pony is Britain’s Oldest Native Pony Breed!
See below for Photos, Breed Videos and Facts about the Exmoor Pony!
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About The Breed:
This prehistoric looking pony is Britain's oldest native pony breed. Named after the wild moorland they they call home, the Exmoor Pony has remained very pure, with the look and characteristics of their ancient wild pony ancestors. In the Domesday book written in 1068 there are records of ponies in the Royal Forests of Exmoor. Before the 1850's they were called horse beasts as the term "Pony" wasn't known in the area. Over the years semi-wild herds of ponies have lived out on the moor year round. Each Fall the owners would round up their herd and some of the foals would be sold. A tradition that continues to this day. Ponies were used on the farm, in the fields, and as means of transportation. The Exmoor Pony Society was formed in 1921 and there were about 500 ponies on Exmoor. By the end of World War II there were only 50 ponies left. Gradually the numbers were brought back up and the herd rebuilt. Today there are 19 different herds on Exmoor.
Most Exmoor's look very similar with varying shades of brown. They should look like they have a lamp underneath them, shining up. They should look like they have had their nose dipped in a bag of oatmeal. Height range is between 11.2 and 13.2. Built to survive in the wild moorlands, they have solid hooves, can eat tough plants like the gorse shrub, and have thick eyelids that help protect their eyes from the rain. In the winter their tail will grow short hairs on the top called a "snow shute.".
Quest Horses:
Fleeter: Exmoor Pony gelding owned by the Exmoor Pony Centre.
Owly: Exmoor Pony gelding owned by Trekerwys Native Ponies.
Breed Origin: England
Colors: Various shades of brown.
Registry: Exmoor Pony Society
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“The Exmoor Pony then has had a very long history in Britain and shared perhaps thirty thousand years with Man. Since the arrival of the first humans it has contributed to our evolution into farmers and then industrialists. Today the Exmoor continues as our partner in leisure and competitive activities while the free-living herds carry on its role as part of the natural fauna of Britain.”
