Question about Exmoor ponies

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flirtygerty

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On Countryfile tonight it was said that Exmoor ponies eat rough ground, as in nettles etc, as I am looking for a suitable child's pony and have lots of nettles I usually pull up for my two horses, this may be a pony to look into.
Was that information correct, or anyone with comments on Exmoors would be appreciated, this would be our first pony by the way, we've only ever had horses
 
Adam was at Chelteneham today plugging his new book! I have Exmoor ponies doing conservation grazing and they are jolly good at it. They spend about 6 months on the inhospitable bit of land they have to graze, and then come back to our farm for the other half of the year - no TV cameras, just about 60 acres to graze upon (meadow land mostly)
Of the four - two are really feral, two I can catch>
 
Most natives browse and eat nettles if they feel the need, they forage in their natural habitat and self medicate, nettles are just one of the many things they will eat. My New Forest eats nettles, so does my pba but they only pick the juicy tips, the rest get left.


Exmoors are probably not the ideal first pony being very sturdy, strong necked types, they are an endangered breed so not that many around, I would not rule one out but would not restrict my search to just one breed unless I planned on showing it.
 
My horses love nettles if I pull them up for them, do I take it most native ponies eat them insitu, that's useful to know.
We decided to get a pony after having regular visits from family kids over the summer, still ongoing, I would like to ride my longsuffering horse myself,not just walk alongside him, so a pony is needed I think.
Numpty question, why are Exmoors so rare
 
My haffy has come into my nettle filled field and cleared me about an eighth more space! She goes crazy for them :-) She eats anything rough and stalky or bits of twig from the hedge and there's still loads of grass so I can well believe exmoors would be similar! *
 
It is odd you don't really see them around as ridden ponies all that much, I guess because they are very small in general but I think they are just lovely and would be my first choice for a companion. Maybe they don't overbreed them and sell them on like Dartmoor and new forest? They probably do, who knows...
 
I think they have a bit of a reputation for being strong willed. My ponies eat older nettles, they also dig for the roots in winter.
 
Our horses tend to eat the nettles once they have dried up, then they love them. We have had exmoor ponies in the past one was very nervy at first but improved greatly but was not really novice ride. The other came to be a very good little pony for all types of rider I don't think they are any worse than some other natives but not all of them are first ponies.
 
Can't say I know much about exmoors (although I think they're lovely). If you're worried about them being thick necked and strong willed then how about a dartmoor? They seem to be a bit finer.
I think it's fair to say they need poor grazing. I went to the exmoor pony centre last year, their ponies are 'fostered' over the winter and the one I rode had been given normal grazing by the fosterer and came back as big as a house!
BTW I saw a lovely exmoor being ridden round a HT by a teenager the other year.
 
I am breaking in an exmoor at the moment who is desperately seeking a home, he is lovely. Although he is short, when you are on him you don't feel like you are pony squishing! He could easily carry on adult. I have loose schooled him over a jump and compared to his friends, a dales and welsh b, although he loves jumping, he is not great at it. They have very short legs!
Feed wise, he only gets hay and salt licks. He was out in a big field of good grazing and was very fat!
 
They often don't make good kids ponies. Strong will, opinionated, strong to ride, often quite flighty as well, I love the little monkeys having loaned one and helped look after a few but they would never be my choice as a child's pony.
 
hmmmmmm not sure about them being good as rough grazers, mine doesn't seem to do that (but it could be because he has access to some good grazing and doesn't feel the need?) He does like to hedge trim while hacking though :rolleyes:

I also wouldn't consider an Exmoor as a suitable childs pony. The one I have was meant for my 10 year old to move up on to next year but pony is waayyy too strong (both in physical strenght and mentality) and very sharp.

Great fun pony for me to pony squish but wouldn't trust him with my son without me walking beside them while out hacking.

Consider a Dartmoor if you want a M&M type. Had one in the past and lovely.
 
Exmoors are hardy little souls & will clear scrub patches (as will many other naives).
They can also make good childrens or adults ponies - in the right hands. Just like many breeds of dog which have 'reputations as a breed' of being dangerous/hard to keep' etc Exmoors need to be handled the right way & regularly when starting out, to get results.
They can be very rewarding to own :)

However, please do go in with your eyes open & heart in a tin box ;) as there are quite a number out there for sale if you look.

One tip: Exmoors have a memory like an elephant = they never forget.
Hence why I mention about being in the right hands, as its imperative to not get things 'wrong' when backing & riding away
 
flirtygerty said:
My horses love nettles if I pull them up for them, do I take it most native ponies eat them insitu, that's useful to know.
We decided to get a pony after having regular visits from family kids over the summer, still ongoing, I would like to ride my longsuffering horse myself,not just walk alongside him, so a pony is needed I think.
Numpty question, why are Exmoors so rare
Click to expand...

Exmoors are rare because of the greedy people that put 'scrub' ponies out on the moor which then started to interbreed. Fortunately some of the breeders realised they were in danger of losing the breed and took steps to rectify it. I believe at the very worst time there were only 45 pure breds left on the moor, although a few more in the hands of other breeders dotted round the country.
 
My second pony was an exmoor when I was 11. Not sure about them eating nettles but they're typically quite strong.. I was fine as I was confident but wouldn't put a nervous child on one :)
 
I have two exmoors and am not sure they are a first pony for a child, unless you get an older one. They do retain quite a lot of that wild instinct! That said, my mare I think would be quite good as a child's pony, if ridden in company.

They do indeed eat nettles. They're one of Henry's favourite snacks. Others are gorse, thistles (the whole lot, not just the flower) and birch.

If you want a family pony for you AND daughter, you could do much worse. Henry is slowing down, now, but still has his moments (he's rising 21), so I'm slowly bringing on Chloe, his girlfriend! Be warned, though. People treat them like shetlands, thinking they are cuddly toys and treat depositories. I found out yesterday that one local horsey woman stops at my field and gives the ponies 'cuddles and a treat'. This is an on and off problem I've had ever since I got my first exmoor!

Here you go, the matching pair!

427514_2945655654262_1191254719_n.jpg
 
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I too have heard that Exmoors don't make good first time ponies because they are rather strong-willed and fiesty.

I would recommend a dartmoor pony. We have 3, 2 of which were born and bred on dartmoor itself, and they were bought specifically to do the job of land clearance, at which they excel. They certainly do eat nettles (don't seem to suffer at all from the stinging :eek:), and brambles, gorse etc too.

They are fantastic little ponies, very street-wise but incredibly amenable and people-friendly. They are very hardy too.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them:D
 
No experience of Exmoor's, but i did have a Welsh pony (off the hills - not showy) who gave live nettles a damn good bash with a foreleg and then ate them.
 
If they are as strong-willed as people say, perhaps John Craven should have employed a better technique to move them than pointing in the direction he wanted them to go! Same goes for the cows. He baffles me!

Lovely ponies though :)
 
The Exmoor pony is Britains oldest and purest native pony and was on Exmoor before man. They are very hardy ponies and survive on the wilds of Exmoor in all weathers without help from man.
Each Autumn the ponies are gathered in off the moor and the foals are weaned, microchipped,inspected to see that they meet the strict criteria set by the Exmoor pony society, if they pass they are then branded with the Herd number or symbol and also the pony number within that herd.The adults are then returned to the moor, all the foals are kept "Inground" to be sold or to return to the moor as 3 yr old
Stallions are changed normally every 3 years.
The Exmoor pony is endangered, due to American forces using them as target practice during WW2 and also to poaching for meat, 3 Stalliions, were saved along with approx 50 mares, so the gene pool was very small, at the moment there are approx 2500 to 3000 Exmoors world wide.
The Exmoor pony is different to other ponies as they still have a flight instinct, but once you have managed to gain their trust, Believe me you have to earn it, they are the most loving and loyal pony you could ever wish to own.
There are many Exmoor ponies being ridden by Children and doing extremely well in the showing world, and they seem to have got a bullish reputation through no fault of their own.
 
My parents got me and my sister a 3yo exmoor when we were young kids - he was broken in for us and we had so many great years with him, he could be a little monkey but never nasty. We sold him once he was hopelessly outgrown to a family with 3 young girls - oldest was about 8 and youngest 2 and as far as I know they still have him like 10 years later :) used to see him out at shows and hunting etc would definitely have another for my niece and nephew if one came along!
 
I have a part bred and I would love to have a purebred. I wouldn't recommend them as a first pony or a pony for a young child as they are very intelligent, stubborn and crafty. They are so much fun though.:)
 
The one on my yard is making an ace little rider out of his short 11yr old jockey, he's so cheeky and can throw a good buck!
 
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Certainly not a childs first pony. I'm 19 and have one as well as my normal riding pony. They are very strong willed. Don't get me wrong my beasty man will be led around with my 3 year cousin on but is very bargy to lead and everything is fooooood. He has been out on loan 3 times to families that wanted a pony for there children for pony club etc ... he's a star for me but he got sent home all 3 times saying he's not safe enough for the children and one was an 17 year old!! He lives on fresh air, in a starvation paddock with a small bucket of hay at night in his stable. He will literally eat anything !!.
 
Exmoors are brill! mine lives on fresh air. They have a reputation which precedes them I think, mine has had his moments but has bags of character and has suprised quite a few people with his outlook on life! I know of several who have made great childrens ponies. Mine would probably be to bolshy but hes mellowed a bit as hes grown up :D

He does this :)

Mossy2011011.jpg


this

mediumtrot.jpg


and is generally just so squishable! :D:p

gorm.jpg
 
Some Exmoors make great kids ponies- compete at shows doing jumping, dressage and everything. Having said that, mine makes small children cry... Still they are great fun, cheap to keep, nippy, strong and have very entertaining personalities. Plus you're helping to save a rare and unique breed! Don't understand why people want anything bigger and fancier ;)

And they'd eat nettles but watch out they get very fat very easily!
 
I agree with who ever said they neverrrr forget, mine is like an elephant. But they do get under your skin, and once on side, are friends for life. It took a few years to really get our bond, but we have had so much fun. Apparantly last time I went on holiday mine moped the whole week, and then, when I was back, he ignored me for a few days :p so I think I am loved. He really is such a cheerful little soul, and I do everything with him. He has quite a few fans! Just love him so so much. Would recommend them 100% :)
 
Thanks for all your replies, plenty of food for thought there, the kids are all novices (10-14yrs old) hence the walking alongside, while it would be nice to get rid of the nettles, our grass is so lush, our horses stood in all summer through the day to minimize their weight gain.
We do need a pony for the kids, but now I'm stumped as to what breed that won't get fat living here.
 
Mine was a cob and he loved nettles! Lived out 24/7. I suppose most of our horses are on too much grass anyway(as a generalisation of course)!
 
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