Heritage Exmoor Ponies

New Heritage Exmoor Pony & Equus Survival Trust DNA Project

November 2021:
We are pleased to announce the start of The Heritage Exmoor Pony & Equus Survival Trust (EST) DNA Project .

The purpose of the project:

The Equus Survival Trust (EST) is to provide funding and establish a DNA parentage baseline for the moorland Exmoor Ponies stewarded by the Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group (MEPBG) in the Exmoor National Park.

The Equus Survival Trust will create a database of the DNA markers and the parentage relationships and provide pedigree & DNA parentage test information to breeders, owners, and potential owners. 

Statement of Intent / Scope of Project:

1) DNA Parent Test all ponies (until grant is exhausted). Owners of ponies will receive copies of DNA reports.
2) Solve relationships between the ponies sampled and/or create foundation base lines for ponies that cannot be fully parent verified due to missing parents, but who have been inspected by MEPBG and qualify as purebred moorland Exmoor Ponies.
3) Compile a DNA database with census information & DNA markers; MEPBG Liaison will receive a spreadsheet of this data to share with member breeders/owners.
4) Update database annually with any additional pony census /DNA
5) EST will allow accredited genetic studies of the gene pool data with appropriate accreditation of EST & MEPBG.

This project offers an enormous opportunity for the MEPBG Exmoor ponies to establish correct DNA baselines for their herds (pedigree, purebred, true to type Exmoor ponies), in a format which allows accessible research by the herd owners and also to accredited experts, as agreed with the herd owners.

The project has commenced in November 2021 with the DNA profiling of the Molland Moor Moorland Herd 99 Exmoor ponies.

MEPBG Certificate of Authenticity for Heritage Exmoor Ponies

From autumn 2018, the MEPBG's pedigree-registerable and non-pedigree Heritage Exmoor ponies born and bred in Exmoor National Park can be recognised with a special new Certificate to highlight their authenticity and quality.

#MoorlandExmoorPonyBreedersGroup #MEPBG #ExmoorNationalPark #ExmoorPonies #HeritageExmoorPonies #MoorlandPonies

Photos: Martin Buschmann #MyReisefotografie

The Heritage Exmoor Pony Register

The Heritage Exmoor Pony Register has been established to list and keep track of quality Exmoor ponies who have been excluded from the Exmoor Pony Stud Book, often through no fault of their own. The register also lists and tracks Exmoor ponies who are not given appropriate recognition and status through being failed at foal inspection for minor cosmetic reasons which have no bearing on their quality as an Exmoor pony, such as a small pale patch on the sole of a foot.

The aim is to try to stem the 'genetic wastage' and loss from the endangered breed pool, useful purebred Exmoor pony genetics. The MEPBG is working to encourage the formation of a supplement and upgrading system within the Exmoor Pony Stud Book, to offer a route back into the breeding gene pool for quality purebred Exmoor ponies.

The Heritage Exmoor Pony Register also lists Pedigree Exmoor ponies. If you would like your Exmoor ponies to be listed in the register please contact the MEPBG at MoorlandExmoorGroup@hotmail.co.uk.