A field guide to the Exmoor Pony and how to find them
In the heart of the windswept Exmoor National Park in southwest England, Exmoor ponies can be found emerging from the mist or wandering along the deep pink heather-edged paths. These remarkable ponies, with their unyielding spirit and untamed beauty, provide a living link to the past.
The Exmoor pony is one of nine native breeds of horse in the UK and is one of the oldest. They were mentioned in the Doomsday Book around 1086AD when Exmoor was a Royal Forest. Originally used by hill farmers for all types of work they are used to living in harsh environments and leading a semi-wild life.
In 1945 it was estimated that only 4 stallions and 46 females remained in the world, but slowly over the years their numbers have crept up and there are now 3892 registered Exmoor ponies in the UK with an active gene bank for the species being developed. Approximately 600 of these are registered to the Exmoor moorland herds.
Any time spent with wildlife is special, but the gentle nature of these ponies never fails to make me smile. I have spent a lot of time on Exmoor over the years and even now an encounter with a herd is special. You never know when you will see them and usually I am as surprised to see them as they are to me.
![An Exmoor pony standing in heather and bracken](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-heather-819x1024.jpeg)
The Exmoor Pony
The Exmoor pony is one of the mountain and moorland pony breeds native to the British Isles, and so falls within the larger Celtic group of European ponies.
Standing between 12 to 13 hands high (one hand is about 10 centimetres), their stout bodies and sturdy legs are adapted for the challenging moorland terrain.
The most striking feature is their dense, shaggy coat, which evolves into a thick, weather-resistant cloak in winter. This distinctive double coat allows them to endure the harshest of weather conditions protecting them from the cold and wet weather.
Their colouring is typically a rich bay or brown, often accompanied by a pale muzzle and underbelly. A dark dorsal stripe runs down their back, giving them a distinct, primitive appearance.
History of Exmoor Ponies
The first written records of ponies on Exmoor date back to the Doomsday Book of 1086, when Exmoor was designated a Royal Forest.
In the centuries that followed, the Exmoor pony population fluctuated in size, but the breed remained relatively unchanged. In the early 1800s, however, the Crown sold the Royal Forest of Exmoor, and the new owner attempted to “improve” the ponies by crossing them with other breeds. This experiment was unsuccessful, and the breed’s purity was threatened.
In 1921, a group of concerned breeders founded the Exmoor Pony Society to protect and promote the breed. The society created a stud book to register pure-bred Exmoor ponies, and it continues to work to preserve the breed’s unique characteristics.
![the head of an Exmoor pony standing in brown bracken](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-head-819x1024.jpeg)
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park is a beautiful and diverse landscape in the southwest of England. It was designated as a national park in 1954 and covers an area of over 692km2. The national park crosses the border between Somerset in the east and Devon in the west with the north coast plunging down into the Bristol Channel.
Exmoor has a long and rich history, dating back to the Stone Age. The first humans arrived in the area around 10,000 years ago and left behind evidence of their occupation in the form of flint tools and arrowheads.
The Romans also had a presence in Exmoor and built a number of roads and forts in the area. These include the coastal fortlets at Martinhoe and Old Burrow After the Romans left, Exmoor became a Royal Forest and was used for hunting and forestry.
In the Middle Ages, Exmoor was divided into a number of manors, and the land was used for farming and grazing. The park was also a popular destination for pilgrims, who travelled to the Holy Well at Withypool to seek cures for their ailments.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Exmoor became increasingly popular as a tourist destination. Visitors were drawn to the park’s dramatic scenery, its ancient woodlands, and its abundant wildlife.
Exmoor National Park is a land of contrasts. It is home to rugged moorland, lush valleys, and a dramatic coastline. The highest point in the park is Dunkery Beacon, which rises to 519 meters above sea level.
Exmoor’s moorland is characterised by its rolling hills, covered in bright yellow gorse, deep purple heather and grass. This moorland is home to a variety of wildlife, including Exmoor ponies, red deer, and buzzards.
Exmoor’s valleys are home to a variety of woodland and farmland. The woodlands are home to a variety of trees, including oak, beech, and ash. while meandering rivers, like the Exe and the Barle, carve their way through the moors, their tranquil waters reflecting the serene ambience of the landscape.
![A wooded valley on Exmoor close to Dunkery Beacon](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-Dunkery-valley-1024x819.jpeg)
Best places to see Exmoor Ponies on Exmoor
Exmoor is divided up into commons and each common is grazed by specific farmers. The herds of Exmoor ponies will graze specific commons and are managed and monitored by the farmers and the Exmoor Pony Society.
This makes finding the ponies slightly easier as they are within set boundaries. The roads across the moor are dotted with cattle grids which mark the boundaries between each common. Fences and natural boundaries allow the farmers to manage the ponies and keep them within certain areas of the moor.
While the ponies are not truly wild and are owned by farmers, other than the annual ‘gathering’ they spend the year roaming and grazing the hills
Some of the places you can see Exmoor ponies on Exmoor include:
- Winsford Hill
- Dunkery
- Room Hill, Exford
- Codsend
- Withypool Hill
- West Anstey Common
- Haddon
- North Hill
- Butter Hill
- WoolhangerSimonsbath
- Rodhuish Common
A map from the Exmoor Pony Society lists all the current herds and their locations.
![two exmoor ponies standing under a tree](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-pair-1024x819.jpeg)
Exmoor Pony Centre in Dulverton
If you want to see Exmoor ponies without having to search for them, then a visit to the Exmoor Pony Centre in Dulverton is the place to visit. Close to the beautiful ancient clapper bridge called Tarr Steps, the centre is home to about 35 ponies.
The centre has resident ponies who may have health or behavioural issues meaning they cannot roam with the herds on the moor. Others are kept to care for foals that may be in need of help while some are waiting for their forever homes when they cannot stay where they are.
The Exmoor Pony Centre is run by the Moorland Mousie Trust, a charity that manages environmental grazing schemes across the UK. The Exmoor pony has the perfect characteristics to be used to manage grassland and they are left to roam wild, grazing and helping with conservation projects and rewilding.
Sites away from Exmoor where you can see grazing Exmoor ponies include
- Lydeard Hill on the Quantocks in Somerset
- Woolacombe National Trust in North Devon
- Pathhead in Gateshead in Tyne and Wear
EXMOOR PONY CENTRE
Ashwick, Dulverton, TA22 9QE
Hours – 10 am to 4 pm (Closed Tues) | Website – https://www.moorlandmousietrust.org.uk/
The centre is closed from the end of October until April
How to stay safe and respect Exmoor Ponies
These small ponies are fairly calm and chilled but do remember that they are wild animals and can be easily spooked.
- Always keep your distance from the ponies, especially when they have foals with them.
- Just take your time to sit and watch them. They will slowly graze their way towards you.
- Never approach the ponies or attempt to pet them.
- Do not feed the ponies.
As well as not approaching them, you should take care when driving across the moor especially when it is dark or foggy. The ponies can sometimes be found grazing close to the road and will not move for you.
![A road winding across Exmoor with low clouds](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-landscape-1024x819.jpeg)
Conservation status of Exmoor Ponies
Exmoor ponies hold the status of “endangered” on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust list, emphasising the importance of conservation efforts. In 1921 the Exmoor Pony Society was formed with the aim to ensure that the Exmoor pony would remain roaming free on the moorland.
Exmoor is divided up into commons and each common is grazed by specific farmers. The herds of Exmoor ponies will graze specific commons and are managed and monitored by the farmers and the Exmoor Pony Society.
All older ponies are branded with the younger animals now being microchipped instead. This ensures that the welfare of the ponies on the moor can be monitored and foals registered.
After the Second World War when numbers were very low due to poaching and a change of use to the moorland, the gene pool became very small. The registration and bloodline of all Exmoor ponies are carefully recorded both on the moor, in the UK and overseas. This allows an increase in herd numbers over time and a successful increase in the overall number of ponies. A gene bank project to try and continue the species is also active.
In the autumn each year, similar to the sheep ‘réttir’ in Iceland, the ponies are “gathered” and taken off the moor to their home farms This allows the farmers to identify any that need support through the winter and and identify and rehome the season’s foals.
![An exmoor pony with a fringe over its eyes](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exmoor-pony-fringe-819x1024.jpeg)
Differences between Exmoor and Dartmoor Ponies
The Exmoor pony and the Dartmoor pony are two of the native pony breeds of the United Kingdom. They are both hardy and versatile ponies, but there are some key differences between the two breeds.
Appearance: Exmoor ponies are typically stockier and more powerful than Dartmoor ponies. They have a characteristic “mealy” muzzle, which means that the skin around their muzzle is pale or white. Dartmoor ponies can have any solid colour, but the most common are brown, bay, and black.
Temperament: Exmoor ponies are known for being intelligent, independent, and hardy. They can be stubborn at times, but they are also gentle and affectionate. Dartmoor ponies are also intelligent and hardy, but they are generally more outgoing and friendly than Exmoor ponies.
Uses: Both Exmoor ponies and Dartmoor ponies can be used for a variety of purposes, including riding, driving, and conservation grazing. Exmoor ponies are particularly well-suited for endurance riding and working on rough terrain where they are the more commonly found conservation grazers. Dartmoor ponies are popular as show ponies and for competing in a variety of equestrian sports.
Characteristic | Exmoor pony | Dartmoor pony |
---|---|---|
Appearance | Stockier and more powerful, with a “mealy” muzzle | Less stocky and more delicate, with no characteristic muzzle markings |
Temperament | Intelligent, independent, and hardy | Intelligent, hardy, and outgoing |
Uses | Endurance riding, working on rough terrain | Showing, competing in equestrian sports |