Exmoor pony
Origin
England
History
The Exmoor is the oldest of the British Mountain and Moorland ponies and has remained pure since prehistoric times, because its remote habitat ensured the breed´s immunity from influence by alien blood.
The Exmoor´s principal ancestor is believed to be Pony Type 1. Like that primeval pony, the Exmoor has a distinctive jaw formation and the beginnings of a seventh molar, which are found in no other equine. In the Bronze Age, the Exmoor was used to pull chariots.
The Exmoor Pony Society was formed in 1921 with the aim of improving and encouraging the breeding of Exmoor ponies of moorland type. The society produced its first stud book in 1963.
There are still herds on Exmoor, whose purity is jealously guarded by breeders and by the Exmoor Pony Society which is determined to ensure the continuance of the moorland herds to enable up country" breeders to return to the foundation stock in future generations. Small numbers are bred in other areas, but the breed tends to lose type outside its natural habitat.
Description
- Head:
wide forehead; prominent, wide-set eyes; mealy muzzle and wide nostrils; short ears - Conformation:
-laid-back shoulders and shoulder blades close at the withers
-compact body, deep at the girth, with a level back and breadth over the loins
-long and well spaced ribs
-short legs, set square to the body
-it has also what is known an ice tail", being very thick with a fan-like growth at the top - Average height:
11.1 to 12.3 h.h. - Colour:
bay, brown or dun with black points and a mealy coloring on the muzzle, around the eyes, and on the inside of the flanks. There are no white markings - Temperament:
Exmoors are independant-their survival depends on the ability to think and act for themselves. It takes those born on the moor a little time to grow accustomed to human ways. Once confidence has been gained, however, they become active and dogged performers - Today:
if properly schooled it is a good, tough pony for a child or a small adult. As harness ponies, the Exmoors can be easily matched, and they have great stamina. They also make valuable base stock for the breeding of bigger horses.
