Home > Caring For Animals > Exmoor Ponies in Conservation

Exmoor Ponies in Conservation

By: Margaret Paxton - Updated: 26 Aug 2014 | comments*Discuss
 
Exmoor Ponies Conservation Breed

Designed by nature and a fortunate survivor of man’s intent to ‘improve’ it, the Exmoor pony is grazing for conservation in selected areas of the UK. This is a good arrangement for both; as Exmoor ponies are themselves an endangered breed. A significant number of Exmoor bloodlines, previously isolated for hundreds, if not thousands of years, became diluted by the deliberate introduction of other breeds.

This dilution of the very characteristics that had enabled the ponies to survive the extreme conditions in which they lived weakened their natural defences and the crossbred ponies died out. The zoological importance of this breed has since been recognised, and the need for its conservation better understood.

Away from Exmoor, the number of ponies has increased, but there are still less than two hundred living wild there.In its new role as a conservation tool the Exmoor pony is invaluable.

Primitive in design (similar to Przewalski’s Horse) with a characteristic ‘mealy muzzle’ and eye ring, together with a double layered coat, that not only equips it with camouflage amongst the mixed heather, grass and bracken of its natural habitat, but also provides a warm and waterproof defence against severe wet and cold, this breed evolved to survive.

The unique bone structure of today’s Exmoor ponies compares almost identically to fossils of Britain’s wild ponies of 130,000 years ago. Since WWII, government pressures on the farming industry, road and urban development, as well as changes in traditional grazing methods and the resultant invasion of tor grass (Brachypodium pinatum) scrub and bracken, have led to the loss of huge areas of chalk grassland and open lowland heath.

A Changing Environment

Tor grass is invasive and smothering, its growth suppresses the important species needed to maintain the classic landscape and endemic wildlife of such areas. This is where the Exmoor further proves its usefulness. The ability to thrive on low-nutrientgrassland, often regarded as useless for other grazing stock, is one of the ponies major advantages.

Two herds owned by the charity, Sussex Pony Grazing & Conservation Trust, have already made a visible difference to the unique landscapes and biodiversity value of both the South Downs and Ashdown Forest.

Ancient chalk grasslands can contain 56 different species of flowers and grasses per square metre. Cowslips, the nationally rare early spider and burnt-tip orchids, and round-headed rampions are among the flowers making a comeback. Brown hares are one of the larger mammals to benefit. Adonis blue, chalkhill blue and silver-spotted skipper butterflies are also growing in numbers as a result of the efficient cyclical grazing of Exmoor ponies.

Ashdown Forest, a Special Protection Area (SPA) has, amongst the birds mentioned within the SPA citation, nightjar, Dartford warbler and woodlark. Wet and dry heath communities also make Ashdown Forest a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC).The Sussex Pony & Grazing Conservation Trust was set up in August 2004 and owns two herds of Exmoor ponies.

The Trust works with local farmers and landowners to accomplish a forward-looking grazing plan. It also has the enthusiastic backing of DEFRA and English Nature and keen support groups of local volunteers-including those from the South Downs Volunteer Rangers-who check the ponies daily, with professional input from the Trust’s veterinary surgeon.

Working with the Ponies

A recent advertisement, placed with ‘environmental jobs uk’ for volunteer herdsmen and women to help when rounding up the ponies prior to relocating, resulted in responses from all over the UK, and even one from Poland!

I have been on one of these round-ups and they’re not for the faint hearted! Even though I have an equestrian background and lived in Africa, the sheer power and momentum of this particular wild herd of Thelwell-look-alikes thundering close by in my native Sussex was an experience I’ll never forget!

So what future for these hairy, hoofed, heroes? The Exmoor pony has strong national and international support; but its future is by no means secure. Exmoor Ponies in Conservation (EPIC) the National Trust and government agencies work closely together to assist the free-living herds that graze areas such as: the Lizard in Cornwall, Purbecks in Dorset, Silverdale in Lancashire and more than five hundred acres of woodland pasture in Buckinghamshire.

For the small, hardy, survivor of sabre-toothed tigers and ice ages that previously threatened their existence, the tough little ponies have themselves become pioneer settlers and conservationists. For the numerous other threatened species, helped by the continued presence of the Exmoor pony, survival is where the grass is.

Further information: guidestar.org. The official website of all charities registered with the Charity Commission.There is also a website called exmoorpony.org.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
hi I am interested in animal care I have done animal care work before I mainly have worked out doors I have worked on a farm with most farm animals mainly horses, I also help family and friends with dog walking/sitting when needed I also have pets of my own and have owned quite a few.I have a passion for animals and they make my life different each day which I enjoy working with
av - 26-Aug-14 @ 2:24 PM
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments
  • Andrea
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hi Dani. That would be amazing. I will be looking for volunteers as soon as I am up and running. At the moment I am taking a 2 year…
    20 November 2023
  • Dani
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hi Andrea, I adopted a disabled do last year and have found it such a gratifying and amazing experience I would like to try and…
    8 November 2023
  • adm
    Re: What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
    How to perform therapy on turtles? Can it be done independently at home?
    25 October 2023
  • Andrea
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Can you please help. I have been working in jobs I hate for years and one of the joys in my life are my animals. I own 5 cats and 4…
    20 October 2023
  • Jemma hanwell
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hi im thinking of starting an animal sanctuary. I'm tired fo people buying dogs and discarding them that goes for all animals of…
    10 October 2023
  • Jsn
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hello I would like to get some help. On setting up a dog rescue shelter in Essex, I don't have lots of money but I would like to…
    16 September 2023
  • Vee
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hi. I'm looking to start an animal sanctuary in Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire if anyone can help get me started. I'm thinking a CIC…
    16 September 2023
  • Vicky
    Re: Training to be a Police Dog Handler
    Hi I am currently studying hnd animal care in order to change career. I am interested in training police dogs. I would…
    12 September 2023
  • Lulu
    Re: Run your own Animal Shelter
    Hi I would love to set up a small animal care centre . Somewhere in Wales . I have always cared for small animals mainly mice…
    9 September 2023
  • Ellie
    Re: Training to be a Police Dog Handler
    Hi, Iv always loved working with animals and grow up with animals all my life. completing my level 3 diploma in animals…
    31 August 2023