Exmoor Pony Breed

From: Horse Breeds

Exmoor Pony
This wonderful looking pony has a kind and generous temperament with lively active paces and a willingness to please., making it an excellent all round pony suitable of many disciplines such as jumping, hacking and driving.

Originates
Exmoor ponies originate in Exmoor, North Devon, England.

Height
Exmoor height is around 11 to 12.3 HH

Colour is Bay or brown with the noticeable feature of the muzzle and hair surrounding the eye being lighter in colour than the rest of the body.

Conformation

The head is large and attractive with a big kind eye and alert honest expression and small ears.
The neck is short and muscular with a gentle crest along the topline.
The shoulders are muscular and sloping.
The girth is fairly deep.
The chest is reasonably wide.
The back is short, strong and broad.
The hindquarters are well rounded and powerful.
The limbs are short and strong.
The tail is low set and both mane and tail are thick and flowing.

Exmoor Brand
The Exmoor brand is in the shape of star and is positioned on the nearside shoulder.

Uses
Exmoor ponies can be used as an all round riding and driving pony.

History
This lovely pony takes its name from the Exmoor National Park which has running through it the river Exe. Before Exmoor became a National park it was a Royal Forest and hunting ground before being sold off in 1818. The park warden of the time took with him around 30 ponies and set up a herd called the Anchor herd.

The Exmoor ponies are very sure footed and agile no doubt due to the fact that the park in which they freely roam has 267 miles of hilly and open moor land full of cliffs, ravines, woodland, forest and waterfalls and 34 miles of coastline with sharp drops and narrow paths.

During the second world war the army used Exmoor as a training ground and almost made the breed extinct, but thanks to some dedicated breeders this wonderful breed is now flourishing and the Anchor herd is still going today.

Exmoor Pony Society
The society aims to promote the Exmoor breed and through careful breeding programs, preserve this wonderful ponies characteristics.