Blog Post

Inspecting the Foreland Exmoor pony herd 

Dawn Westcott • Nov 09, 2018

An opportunity to see how the West Exmoor National Trust's Exmoor pony herd is doing - at their autumn gather and check

The West Exmoor National Trust's semi-feral Exmoor pony herd runs on around 500 acres of common land at Countisbury, where the moorland extends to dramatic cliffs leading to Foreland lighthouse. This week, it was time to bring the ponies in for their autumn check and the National Trust - a member of the Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group - invited us along to look over the herd with them.

The mares are having a breeding rest, following the National Trust taking over the herd from farmer James Bryant in early 2016. While the NT team continue to evolve their plans for the area and its conservation through farming for nature, the rest has certainly suited the ponies. They came in looking great and with just the right condition to face what is always a challenging and bracing winter - in an area exposed to the full force of the weather.

After drifting in from the moor to the fields at Kipscombe Farm, the mares migrate quietly to the barn where the West Exmoor NT team have created a fantastic pen system. It's carefully designed to minimise stress and enable the ponies to safely travel into the holding areas and through the shute, where they can be checked, before being let back out into the large corral area. The curved panelling and solid sides help to keep the ponies quietly moving along without panicking.

This is a semi-feral herd and the mares are naturally wary of being touched, so it's important to organise a safe handling system which allows the team to get close to each mare, without causing them to react and potentially hurt themselves.

Jennifer Rodliff, from Torch Vets at Barnstaple, was on hand to read microchips and examine the ponies. She has become a welcome and familiar face at various of Exmoor's moorland pony gatherings and inspections, where it's appreciated when the vets are experienced with the process and have the necessary specialist skills to deal with semi-feral herds.

Gradually, the mares came through the pen system, carefully guided by WExNT's expert stockman, Andrew Leworthy. Jennifer checked their microchips and looked them over with NT Ranger, Josey Field, who had the herd list to tick off, and me, Dawn Westcott, as the MEPBG representative. One by one, the mares were let back out into the corral. They all looked good, their winter jackets growing well, with their feet looking remarkably hard, well-shaped and healthy. The hard flinty tracks and moorland terrain, along with the grazing, really suits this herd. They've evolved to withstand the summer midges, flies and even ticks - with well-grown manes and tails showing no signs of allergies or itching, which with the warmer climate is increasingly prevalent across the equine breeds.

This is a lovely herd of quality mares, with James Bryant's careful choice of breeding stallions resulting in some beautiful heads, excellent conformation and a distinct type. Top quality moorland stallions like Hawkwell Great Gatsby, Tawbitts Golden Treacle , Acreswild Zeitgeist and others have all put their stamp on the herd.

Exmoors are highly intelligent and the Foreland mares understand the routine. Once the inspection was complete the herd stood calmly in the corral waiting patiently to be let back out onto the moor. It was great to be able to walk amongst them, saying hello to some familiar and - sorry! - favourite faces.

When Andrew opened the gate, it was impossible not to be moved by the sight of the ponies cascading back out onto the moor. I wished them all the best for the coming winter and it's good to know they are in excellent hands with the West Exmoor National Trust team.

Dawn Westcott

Below: The ponies can safely 'flow' around the excellent and well-planned pen handling system, into the shute - which helps keep them quiet and calm

NT farm manager Andrew is an expert stockman who carefully and expertly separates the mares so they can come through the pens.

Torch Vet, Jennifer Rodliff, and NT Ranger, Josey Field, examine and check the mares as they come through, before opening the shute to let them back out into the corral.

The tough moorland terrain and flinty tracks are a great environment for helping the ponies keep their hooves in tip top condition - well-shaped, hard and smooth.

Torch Vet, Jennifer, with Josey and Andrew from West Exmoor National Trust

After coming through the pens and finishing their check, the mares are relaxed and inquisitive

It's a beautiful herd

Now the mares are ready to go back out to the moor

Andrew opens the gate and off they go!

Find out more about the work of the National Trust at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The National Trust - Foreland Herd 423
Location: Countisbury - Exmoor National Park
Contact: Ms Kelly Bezer MRICS
Address: The National Trust, Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE.
Telephone: 01392 881345
Email kelly.bezer@nationaltrust.org.uk

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By MEPBG • 28 Nov, 2021
DNA profiling for Exmoor ponies to authenticate lineage and safeguard their moorland heritage.

New DNA Profiling for MEPBG Exmoor Ponies

By Dawn Westcott • 22 Nov, 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) i n 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. Molland Moor - Moorland Herd 99 Exmoor Ponies The Heritage Exmoor Pony & EST DNA Project has started with DNA profiling and collection of field data from the long-standing Molland Moor herd of Exmoor ponies, Moorland Herd 99 . This herd has become stranded outside of the closed Exmoor Pony Stud Book through failure to establish a DNA baseline for the herd when DNA parentage verification was brought in as a pedigree registration requirement in the early 2000's. However, the Dart family and Molland Estate have managed to maintain a healthy herd of resilient, robust, good quality, true to type, free-living Exmoor ponies to this day. With the tiny, endangered Exmoor pony gene pool, it is important to ensure that this moorland Exmoor pony herd receives appropriate recognition and status and is safeguarded for the future. The Moorland Herd 99 Exmoor ponies retain the desirable learned and genetic characteristics and behaviours of extensively grazing, free living animals, through living on one of Exmoor's toughest moorlands. These ponies are also awarded the MEPBG (Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group) Certificate of Authenticity - born and bred in Exmoor National Park by an MEPBG herd owner. It is exciting to be DNA profiling the Molland Moor herd and establishing the all important DNA baseline for these lovely ponies. Molland youngstock are available for sale now. More information and contact details for the Molland herd and the Dart family at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/moorland-herd-99

Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor Pony Gathering

By Dawn Westcott • 17 Oct, 2021
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NEW Exmoor stallion joins Tippbarlake Herd

By MEPBG • 11 Mar, 2021
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MEPBG Runs Out of Patience 

By MEPBG • 08 Nov, 2019
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2019 Heritage Exmoor Pony Festival

By Dawn Westcott • 24 Feb, 2019
This year, the Heritage Exmoor Pony Festival runs from June through to the end of September. We're currently adding events to the Calendar and already have a host of wonderful Exmoor pony experiences available, which you can find here http://www.mepbg.co.uk/2019-heritage-exmoor-pony-festival The Heritage Exmoor Pony Festival is organised by the Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group (MEPBG) and the Exmoor Pony Project and its aims are to celebrate the Exmoor Ponies of Exmoor National Park and promote the moorland foals looking for good homes in the autumn. This year, you can watch the magnificent Tippbarlake Exmoor pony gathering , enjoy watching (or taking part in) Exmoor pony classes at local and county shows (inc a special Exmoor Pony Parade) , treat yourself to a ' Connecting with Exmoor Ponies & Yourself' workshop, take part in a wildlife photography workshop on location, join the Wild Pony Whispering Walk on the Dunkery Commons, and the National Trust's amazing Foreland Herd Walk. There's something for everyone and we look forward to welcoming you to our events. 2019 Heritage Exmoor Pony Festival Calendar of Events http://www.mepbg.co.uk/2019-heritage-exmoor-pony-festival

Beautiful Exmoor Ponies - NEW Short film

By Dawn Westcott • 06 Nov, 2018
Some amazing Moorland Exmoor pony footage for Exmoor pony lovers - enjoy!

Farmers gather in the Exmoor pony herds 

By Dawn Westcott • 27 Oct, 2018
Finding good homes for the small number of Exmoor of foals is boosted this year by the NEW MEPBG Certificate of Authenticity

Short Film: Exmoor Pony Foals - A Good Future

By Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group • 25 Oct, 2018
Watch our film about the amazing Withypoole Herd 23 pony gathering on Exmoor and what future is faced by the moorland foals
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