ABOUT EXMOORS

Exmoor ponies are thought to be Britain’s oldest native breed.  They are listed as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, their numbers having fallen just after the Second World War to approximately 50 animals.

Exmoors on Winsford Hill

Exmoors are usually between 11 to 12.3hh in height.  The colours of an Exmooor pony can be brown, bay or dun, no white is allowed either in coat colouration or hoof.  They have characteristic pale colouration around the “mealy” muzzle, ees and flanks as well as a prominent “toad” eye.  They have large heads, nostrils and a deep jaw; it often surprises owners of larger equines to hear that my Exmoors all fit cob bridles and the smallest bit I own is 5”!  Their summer coat is very short and hard, changing to a double layered dense coat in winter; an insulating layer of hair with longer waterproof guard hairs covering this.  It is common to see Exmoors in winter with unmelted snow or frost on their backs, showing how well insulated their coats must be.

Frosty pony                                  Mealy Muzzle                        Toad Eye

The action of an Exmoor is supposed to be straight and smooth, without exaggeration—this makes them ideal long distance riding ponies since they are very sure footed over a variety of surfaces.  They also have a great attitude and determination NOT to be beaten which helps them in this discipline.

All Exmoor foals are inspected by two society appointed inspectors at approximately 6 months of age to check whether they conform to the minimum breed standards.  The foals should have no white markings in their coat or hooves and should have no gross abnormalities in the teeth development.  Foals which pass these criteria are registered with the Society, branded or microchipped for identification, and are then eligible for breeding at a later date.  Potential stallions go through a further inspection process at approximately two years old, where a more rigourous inspection is carried out, checking conformation and movement as well as rechecking the requirements from the previous inspection.  Colts passing this inspection are granted a licence from the Society and can be used as breeding stock.  Only foals from two registered parents will be eligible for inspection.

The Exmoor Pony Society was formed in 1921 with the aim to encourage the breeding of Exmoor ponies of Moorland type.  The main aims of the Society are

¨ To promote and encourage the breeding of Exmoor ponies

¨ To form and publish a stud book

¨ To institute an annual show

¨ To inspect all ponies eligible for registration

¨ To examine and approve pony stallions