Anybody with exmoors???

R

rowy

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 February 2010
Messages
2,548
Location
leicestershire
Visit site
Hi,
I am looking to get a exmoor and found a 2 yr filly near by which i will go and see. I have never kept/ seen exmoors before (other than pictures) so i was wondering what your experience with them are. Any pictures will be great :)
 
Well done for choosing an Exmoor.
Exmoors are fantastic ponies but they are very intelligent and do need careful handling. Contact the Exmoor pony Society and see if there is an owner or breeder in your area.
Mine was called Groover, he was amazing.
 
Ditto the above! We have been lent an exmoor by our YO after she became soured from working in the riding school. She's very clever, has decades of experience my kids do not have and is a very dominant mare. It took a good five months for her to settle with us completly, but what a character! She'll never be a people person but she's a cracking PC pony and now that she has bonded with my five and eight year old, they can do anything they like with her. She's stunning to look at and so strong - she looks like the hulk next to a ballerina welsh section. They are wonderful ponies and worth every bruise, lol! :D
 
Thanks lol :D I am going to see a breeder who lives down the road from me today about a 2year old filly and to see some of her cute foalies :D should be fun!
 
They are a super breed! But do not give them an inch as they'll take a yard! Absolutely wonderful riding ponies but not as a rule good first ponies for tiny tots ( although I am sure some people will prove me wrong), as they can be very opinionated and strong. Saying that mine is also the kindest sweetest mare who is amazing aroiund children, will stand stock still be pulled around by them for hours, is super on the lead rein and off it now that she is in her twenties! When I want a bit of fun Muffin and I go for a good old blast round the fields and she loves it!
 
indiat said:
Ditto the above! We have been lent an exmoor by our YO after she became soured from working in the riding school. She's very clever, has decades of experience my kids do not have and is a very dominant mare. It took a good five months for her to settle with us completly, but what a character! She'll never be a people person but she's a cracking PC pony and now that she has bonded with my five and eight year old, they can do anything they like with her. She's stunning to look at and so strong - she looks like the hulk next to a ballerina welsh section. They are wonderful ponies and worth every bruise, lol! :D
Click to expand...

Agree with all of the above!
 
I have two. they are supersmart and need fair handling, as most of them are either moor bred or one generation off of it they can be quite suspicious and not terribly forgiving. However, with a good breeder and socialisation/handling early on they are fine.
That sounds like I don't rate them but I really do-once you have them on side they are tremendous. they make good lead rein ponies but not always quite so good as first ponies if you are expecting an automaton (although my first pony was an exmoor, 8yo kids were allowed to be bucked off back then).
I am 5ft6, an adult and I ride one who is 16, the other is a yearling. they are absurdly good doers, can be prone to sweetitch and make me laugh out loud daily. I am doomed to be surrounded by them and I don't mind at all :D
 
Not dealt with them personally but just wanted to say that watching the M&M ridden classes at the Great Yorkshire the 2 exmoors that were in the Championship were just gorgeous - proper chunky little adults ponies and absolutely delicious to look at - they had such beautiful faces. I was in love (if only I was half as tall and half as wide as I am!)
 
I Have An Exmoor!!! :D
This is Dandy, 12.2hh and the toughest, cheekiest and willing pony ive ever met!
He is an AMAZING jumper too :p
24927_410563582742_662877742_5154387_4322970_n.jpg


24329_415226216084_623886084_5205957_5710291_n.jpg


24329_415226251084_623886084_5205961_2072868_n.jpg
 
I would love an Exmoor... a farmer friend of mine breeds them and has 3 for sale but they are only 2 years old. Was tempted as think they would be great to show in hand. If only finances allowed!
 
Not had experience myself, but my daughter who is about 9 1/2 stone and 5'7 has just been riding at the Exmoor pony centre and she said it was fantastic! Her pony was about 12.2 and she was worried she was too big for it (being used to our 16.2 ID). However she really needn't have worried at all and had a wonderful time cantering around the moors.
 
Exmoors are fantastic! They are honest, sturdy and great fun! They are mostly willing, forward rides and will have a go at anything. I used to ride one all the time and I absolutely loved him. I too will be looking for an Exmoor pony of my own one day! :)
 
I currently have one and have had several in the past. Take each one as they come. It is often said they are not childrens ponies, but we have had a couple that were perfect. Saying that, we have had several that were not in varying degrees! My current pony was moor bred and stayedon the moor til age 4, not that you would ever know she was wild and free living. Others can take a lot of time a patience.

If the pony has not been on the moor, and been well handled then it should be no real difference to any other pony, bit they can certainly be suspicious through to downright nervous and very flighty. I am a real fan but would say that often they are not first ponies (and I mean first ownership, no necessarily first child ponies if you know what I mean......)

There is an exmoor pony forum that is very helpful.
 
Friend has a couple, there's a couple in my field and we've got loads in the area.

They can be difficult ponies - as someone else said, they can be supicious and stubborn, esp if they're moor bred: they seems to have slightly less domesticated than other breeds. They are not easy 'first ponies' not for the nervous or novice rider. I know a large number who are diffiicult to catch.

They are prone to sweetitch, VERY good doers but don't seem to be lamintic prone.

Thye're stocky and well up to carrying a small adult, but they're not particually athletic and many have a funny waddle (seems to be certain lines).

However they are fun, cheeky horses who are great fun for competant adults who don't want to do much competing.

A good exmoor is worth its weight in gold but there are many who are difficult and frustrating.
 
I have two and Henry was my introduction into horse ownership. They are incredibly clever, extremely good doers and have superb stamina.

Only drawback is the incredibly rude comments you get out hacking. That's the only thing which gets me down about them, but they are soooo worth it!

Not for the faint hearted, but I'd recommend them to anyone, even though my mare has the most horrendous Sweet Itch is I'm not uber careful in her management!
 
I just went to view them today. The 1 yr colt was really really friendly despite never being handled. He was a bit nerve to begin with but after 15mins he was fine with being petted and so cheeky. The 2 yr fully seemed less interested and stayed further away. All the mares seemed good tempered and the stallion was very calm and sweet. The full sister to the fill is currently being broken for her children. I'm not quit sure which one is best.
 
wrt to stubborness which exmoors seem to be described often. I would say they arent-they just arent always sure why ;) they should do something. like I said get them on side and they are awesome-treat them roughly and you may as well forget it. some (not all) as mentioned can be quite spooky and flighty.

I got some 'funny' comments from fellow liveries when out hacking mine but now they have pony envy :D He's great fun, will go over any sort of ground (unshod) and is very surefooted. He is however, rubbish in traffic but at 16 I'm not about to force the issue and I have off-road hacking. I have a youngster who will be exposed to all sorts and hopefully he'll be fine. they do have a reputation of being hard to catch but both of mine are good.

athleticism-as with all breeds there are good and bad examples. trot is their pace and they ride bigger than they are. when they jump they tend to give everything plenty of room but some exmoors don't see why they should jump when the rider could obviously do it themselves ;) There is a trekking centre up here comprised solely of exmoor ponies and they have a weight limit of 12 stone. there are a few adults doing endurance on them up here as well.

statistically they are less prone to lammi than some other native breeds however, I'm not sure if that older study took into account LGL. when feral they browse on gorse, trees and in some parts of the country, seaweed. mine lives off air and is capable of reasonable steady work with no hard feed whatsoever plus his grass is very restricted in the summer.
 
Could I get away with riding my daughter's exmoor? I am 5 foot six and 10 stone. She has a light weight saddle. She looks dinky to me but if I could keep her wieght down when the kids are at school it would be a relief!
 
indiat said:
Could I get away with riding my daughter's exmoor? I am 5 foot six and 10 stone. She has a light weight saddle. She looks dinky to me but if I could keep her wieght down when the kids are at school it would be a relief!
Click to expand...

yes I would think so. I'm the same height and a little heavier and I ride mine, only way to keep their weight off if you can't drive them.
 
My friend has an Exmoor which she wants to sell - can anyone advise the best place to advertise him?

She got him for her son to grow into but he still looks tiny on his 11.2 so we think the Welsh will last him some years!! None of us ride him so he's going to waste

sorry to hijack the OP post but you guys seem to know your Exmoors!!
 
Sorry, I'm also hijacking, but my mare is 1/4 exmoor, 3/4 TB. Obviously I'm biased as I adore my old girl, but I do think its surprising there aren't more cross breds around.

Mine certainly has some of the traits described - scarily intelligent, independent, suspicious, hideously hairy in winter :) , but is also amazingly genuine and willing when we (finally) clicked. She also doesn't have a nasty bone in her body. Very pretty too. I would definitely look out for a X bred again.
 
I have an exmoor gelding that I bought at sales a couple of years ago. He has issues but he has learned to trust me. I would love to find a new home for him with someone who has the time to build a great relationship. He objects to being ridden but may come round. I have tried harness on him and he seems to be ok with it.
He has mild sweet itch, is 13.2hh, has great personality and if OP (or any other enthusiast) would like to give him a long-term home please contact me.
 
indiat said:
Could I get away with riding my daughter's exmoor? I am 5 foot six and 10 stone. She has a light weight saddle. She looks dinky to me but if I could keep her wieght down when the kids are at school it would be a relief!
Click to expand...

I'm 5ft 4 and a bit and weigh 10 stone. You'll be fine! Go and enjoy!

I would be interested to know if that study took into account LGL, too. This is what Henry is prone to. He's been off proper grass since May (in a bare paddock, fed hay). I tried to re-introduce him yesterday, but the pulses were up and feet were warm. Soooo, it's more of my winter hay disappearing down his gullet. Oh joy!


To the lady looking to sell one, look up the Exmoor Pony Forum. There are always people looking to add to their collections!
 
Fransurrey said:
I would be interested to know if that study took into account LGL, too. This is what Henry is prone to. He's been off proper grass since May (in a bare paddock, fed hay). I tried to re-introduce him yesterday, but the pulses were up and feet were warm. Soooo, it's more of my winter hay disappearing down his gullet. Oh joy!
Click to expand...

I doubt that it did, LGL is only really just now becoming accepted. Mine came to me hideously obese, fat pads everywhere, but with no history of lammi but I'd have put money on him having had LGL. I have a fair amount of clover and seeing that he will eat anything in his path his grass is very restricted. I have a track around 2 acres and the other two have that at night and the middle during the day (I know about fructans but if they are in the middle they have no shelter from midges at dusk and dawn). there's too much grass on the track (and really, there isnt alot) to let him graze the track 27/7 so he has the yard and the mud patch during the day-has a tiny bit of grass and some weeds. minimal hay and tiny amounts of plain chaff with mag ox, salt and seaweed. he looks fabby this year, still chubby but feet, skin and coat are all lovely and no heat or pulses either. I now go by the rule that I take what I feel to be a tiny amount of feed/hay/grazing and half it for him. as long as they can nibble on stalky stuff they are happy.
 
Hi
I have a wonderful exmoor mare! She is an absolute star but still a handful! She hunts, jumps and shows!
We have had our injuries and problems though as they are such tough stubborn ponies!
I wouldn't swap her for the world now despite only being 12hh! She has qualified m&m workers for Puk - we will be there tomorrow so fingers crossed!
The only advice I can give you is to make sure they are within the height limits if you wish to show! The larger over sized exmoors are frowned upon both showing and with in the society!

Good luck! - My girl is in my sig! (and clipped!!!)
 
Last edited:
Its strange about the sweet itch as although I know many people with exmoors that suffer with sweet itch, I have never had one myself. My friend and I have owned/loaned/trained quite a number in our time, none ever with sweet itch. But then again it doesn;t seem too commen in this area.

My mare had severe laminitus when I first got her, literally arrived with it. She had a couple of 'pottery' moments in the first couple of years but been lami free for many years now.

I wouldn't say they are stubborn, they just have their opinions! I rode my mare up until I was about 11 stone, she is 12.1 and built like a tank. I don't ride her now at 12 stone but then she is in her 20's. She is a fantastic perfect fun pony, and as an adult I have shown to a high level, ridden and whp, pleasure rides, dressage, driving, hacked, gymkhana, handy pony you name she will do it. BUT she will do it for me, and those she likes. She was in a riding school briefly, it did not work!

If I were OP I would go for the younger of the two ponies. I have a barely handled 2 yr old colt and it took years for him to really gain trust and could never be ridden. The younger the better!
 
Hmm I'm not sure whether to go for the smaller filly now cus the colt is 1 yr and already the size of a normal exmoor (he is pure bred) and just thought u saying about ponies UK that I would quite like to do something like that. Are adults riding them in showing classes frowned upon?
She told me the breeding and it was good but I forgot. Anchor cones to mind, does that mean anything? Apparently the stallion sire was an amazing show horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top