exmoor pony advice

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ellis9905

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Im going to look at a beautiful registered and branded exmoor pony on monday- this is as a pony for my daughter- other than all the usual stuff you would look at/question and check when looking at a potential new pony, is there anything specific i need to consider or check when buying an exmoor??

Many thanks in advance x
 
Generally speaking, the Exmoors that are bred wild on the moor have a bit of an edge to them as youngsters, due to the way they are initially handled (rufty tufty farmers throwing them around, the trauma of being unhandled and trussed up to be hot branded etc). But the ones that have been home bred in a nice caring enviroment are just nice ordinary ponies as a rule.

They are a lovely breed, full of character, bright, lots of stamina, happy to live out all year round, sure footed, what more can I say? (I'm a fan, can you tell?)
 
As gala says, they are very bright, most have had a tough introduction to humans. They don't usually forget this and remain quite sharp. I wouldn't buy one as a child's first pony.
 
While I am sure there will be some who say otherwise, I find as a rule they are a tad too much for a child.
They do however make damn good ponies for grownups!
 
i must admit i think hes fab and im very hopeful that he maybe suitable. just been doing some looking on the net- but i think he was also shown in hand as a youngster and came 2nd at the royal bath and west, which is nice to know as i guess imdicates good confirmation etc

thanks
 
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I took this photo a few years when I was living on Exmoor. It sort of sums up the Exmoor breed for me, this guy on his Exmoor had just been helping to round up the wild Exmoors over the moor in the autumn.
 
I have a 6 yr old exmoor x and she is an absolute little gem. I bought her for my then 6 yr old son to learn to ride on. Don't get me wrong, she's no kick along plod, she's quirky, bright and so willing to please it's unreal. I think exmoors make great ponies.
 
I've got two of the buggers and I'd say if you have time to ride him too, then go for it. I used to say that I would put a child on henry if I didn't like the child, but as a lead rein he's always been fantastic and really looked after kids. Once he'd 'grown up' and overcome his hang ups, he became the most bombproof pony I've ever known. His 'girlfriend' is much more nervous, but saying that, she's never put a foot wrong when taking her out and is a clever sod. I have to tie their gate shut or else she lets them into the bigger field!
 
I have a 3 year old exmoor filly and she is very very strong and just as excitable/ forward going as my tb mare lol, though because of her size, a lot easier to handle.
Mine is very stubborn, learns sooo quickly- a gift and a curse.
She is however very cheap to keep- only needed her feet doing twice over 6 months of winter as they just didnt grow. Didnt need rugging at all over winter as their coat grows really thick and they are really tough and water repellent as long as they arent brushed or washed too much.
The only thing about her which is realluy annoying is how she always escapes through electric tape! and can't go on too much grass in case of laminitis
 
I agree with all the above comments. They're bred to be tough (they have to be on Exmoor), and are possibly more suited to small adults, however that's not to say that there aren't some kind childrens' ponies out there. I've had a few over the years. They are generally forward thinking ponies.

Only things I would say is that they can be a bit prone to sweet itch and have a one-way track between their eyes and their stomachs.

Quite a bit of info on the Exmoor Pony Society website.
 
They are smart aren't they? I suppose survivng in adverse conditions since the last Ice Age has made them smarter than the average bear.

I've had mine since he was 6 months old, bought straight off the moor. It's been a long and interesting journey! He's gone from being a petrified scrap to a pony full of confidence and curiousity, he 4 this year so we're in the process of backing him. Fransurrey I know what you mean you mean about overcoming their hang ups, last year long lining was an absolute nightmare, this year he's been brilliant.
 
My first pony was a ride and drive exmoor, she was great in harness, great on the lead rein, dad could lead her off a bike, but she knew when she was off the lead rein and an adult was not in charge and was then naughty - usually doing a runner for home! Since then I have rarely seen them ridden by children.

How old is your daughter and is the exmoor in question used to being ridden by a child of a similar age and ability? If the pony has been trained to be ridden by children then it probably fine.
 
my daughter is 7 and has been learning to ride on a exmoor ( though i do appreciate there not all the same) the pony has been used by a complete novice little girl who had never sat on a pony prior- mainly on lead rein, though he was also occasionally hacked off lead by older child. the novice child was also happy to ride him barebackin just a head collar with mum walking at his head.

thansk for all the replies x
 
apologies OP but to the person who posted that photo-do adults really ride exmoor ponies?!
didnt realise they were bred to carry weight? then having said that they say welsh A's and shetlands were bred to carry adult men but i have a hard time believing that too!
sorry thats not me being nasty im just curious! :D
 
Tazhazzamoose, they are great riding ponies for adults up to about 12 stone or so, maybe even a bit heavier if the rider's got a good balanced seat and his/her legs aren't too long..they are much sturdier than Welsh A's. I read somewhere that the Exmoor farmers used to use them as riding ponies all the time.

Ellis the pony you describe for your daughter sounds perfect, fingers crossed you get him.
 
Agree with the poster above about checking whether the pony has sweet-itch as I do know some exmoors who suffer from it quite badly.
 
I have to agree that they do make great ponies for adults :-). My exmoor x is only 11h..... I am only 5ft and 8st and I often ride Holly on hacks or do a little schooling and she loves it. She certainly doesn't struggle to carry me although I do look a bit big on her.
 
I want one! Unfortunatley I live in north Wales and I'm surrounded by spindly legged welsh ponies : / hope the pony works out for you and we want pictures!!
 
A elderly lady down the road from me owns and rides out every day on hers they are built to carry weight. I don`t think they make good childs pony`s but there can be exceptions.
 
I have always fancies an exmoor pony but thought I might be too big 5' 4" and about 9 stone but may be not what do you think?
 
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