Inspecting the Foreland Exmoor pony herd
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
