HORSES OF THE WORLD
| EXMOOR PONY
Origin: |
 Photo supplied by David Mansell Exmoor Pony Society, UK © |
History:
It is believed that ponies of Exmoor type may date back to the Bronze Age
and that they may have pulled chariots during Roman times. In the Domesday Book of 1085
Exmoor Ponies and their owners are mentioned. The Exmoor Pony is certainly one of the
oldest equine breeds in the world and Britain's oldest Mountain and Moorland breed. For
many centuries the Exmoor has lived in the wild moorland of north Devon and west Somerset
in the south west of England well adapted to the harsh climate. With very little influence
from outside blood a strong, hardy pony developed that was used for shepherding,
ploughing, hunting and carrying the farmer to market.
In 1921 the Exmoor Pony Society was founded to preserve and improve the traditional
moorland type. Ponies passed for registration are branded with the Society's star brand on
the shoulder, below that is the pony's herd number and on the nearside hindquarter is the
pony's own number. The Exmoor Pony still lives in herds on the moorland and is rounded up
annually for inspection. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,200 ponies in
existence in England, Canada and the United States.
Characteristics:
robust built
Head: attractive head; clean cut face; intelligent
expression; wide forehead; large, prominent eyes; heavy top eyelid; eyebrows surrounded by
light buff coloured hair; small, mobile ears; wide nostrils; mealy coloured muzzle; clean
throat
Teeth: very large molars set into the jaw
for maximum chewing pressure; curved incisors meet vertically like a pair of pliers
to cut clean and efficiently
Neck: good length of rein
Shoulders: well laid back
Body: strong body; broad, level back; deep, wide chest; well
sprung ribs
Legs: clean, short limbs
Feet: neat, hard
Coat: hard, shiny, single layer summer coat; double
layer winter coat with fine, springy undercoat and coarse, greasy, water proof top coat
Color: bay, brown or dun with black points; no white markings
Height: not exceeding - stallions 12.3hh, mares 12.1hh
Temperament: good, alert
Qualities: athletic, great strength, hardy, vigorous,
economical to keep
Today:
Exmoor Ponies are excellent all-round riding and performance ponies for
older children. They also do well in the sport of driving.
