Exmoor Pony
The Exmoor pony is found mainly in Exmoor, in the southwest of Devon, living a semi-wild existence. Although it was once prolific, the breed is now greatly reduced and there are ongoing, strictly monitoring breeding program to ensure its continuation. The Exmoor pony is one of the better know feral ponies in Europe and they run free over the moorlands, although some are bred at private studs. They are truly primitive breed with dun coloring with mealy muzzle and belly.
The Exmoor pony is the oldest and purist of the British native pony breeds. The
ponies have roamed the bleak, open moors of southwestern England, known as
Exmoor, for centuries. They are believed to be the direct descendants of the
horses that walked onto Britain before it was an island. Archaeological evidence
dating back over 60,000 years bears an uncanny similarity to the Exmoor Pony of
today. 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 Przewalski's 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 overly influenced by other breeds, due to the relative geographical
isolation and their moorland habitat.
Natural selection has designed a pony suited to survival in a cold and wet
climate without the provision of food or shelter by mankind. Two features unique
to the breed are the “hooded-eye”, or heavy upper brow to protect the eyes from
wind and rain, and the “snow-chute”, a group of short course hairs at the top of
the tail designed to channel rain and snow down away from the body. The
snow-chute, or ice-tail is shed each summer and regrown each Autumn. Their
summer coat is sleek and shinny, but in winter they grow a double layered coat
to provide both insulation and waterproofing enabling them to stand out in the
worst of weather and remain dry at skin level. Exmoors are always brown with
black points and show the characteristic mealy or buff colored ring around the
eyes and muzzle. The forehead is very broad, the eyes large and pronounced, the
ears small and the jaw deep. The body is deep and the ribs well sprung. The legs
are short and clean with well developed joints and ample bone. The hooves are
neat, hard, and well shaped. Their action is straight and true, showing no
tendency to animation or sweeping. The preferred height range is 11.3 to 12.3
hands for stallions and geldings, and 11.2 to 12.2 hands for mares. Ponies weigh
on average 700-800 pounds. The general appearance is that of balance, strength
and definite pony character.
Traditionally, Exmoors were used for herding and tending livestock on the moors
but they are more than capable of competing, and winning in such disciplines as
jumping, driving, dressage and long distance rides with not only children but
adults aboard. Their weight carrying capability for their size also makes them
suitable for the disabled. Exmoors enjoy working, are quick learners and posses
an almost cat-like ability to jump.
First imported into North America (Canada) in the 1950’s, the breed has remained
virtually unheard of until the last 10-15 years. There are several herds of
Exmoors throughout North America, and foal number are on the increase. The
Exmoor is a rare breed, there being only some 800 ponies globally and less than
40 Exmoors in North America.