Talk to me about Exmoors Ponies

I've got one, Scrumpy to his many friends, I bought him as a 6 month old straight off the moor. He's 6 now, everything KidnapMoss says about the breed is true (lovely pics by the way). Cheeky, full of character, highly intelligent, very hardy, when the temp is minus 10 and my other horses are rugged to the eyebrows Scrumpy skips around them all nekkid and fluffy shouting 'what's wrong with you, you bunch of softies, it's like summer'. Which really annoys them. A lot.

I might have to PM you KM if you don't mind, rule number one in the Scrumpy rulebook is 'Don't Ever Ride Me'. Oh the fun we've had and he's still not backed.

Potato welcome to wonderful quirky world of Exmoors!

Oh, the pic of the Exmoor jumping the hedge that someone mentioned, it's one of Scrumpy's close relatives. Gulp!

Of course, PM anytime, I'm always happy to talk exmoors and there is a mega friendly Exmoor world always willing to help, particularly with tricky tricksters!!!! :) :)
 
I'd LOVE to talk to you about exmoors. I'm a little bit addicted. This addiction began through an involvement with the RDSVS Exmoor pony trekking section, starting back in 2001. I left uni with 5 exmoors and now have eight (and a half)
So maybe I am slightly biased but I think they are absolutely brilliant. I have all ages, from baby foal to a 22 year old. All have their individual personalities, and all are very different, but every single one is loyal, funny and full of character! Mine are all happy to both be left on their own, or to go and do stuff on their own. I loaned one to a friend as a companion for her big horse (who can't be left on his own) and she's now looking for a second companion pony because she wants to be able to go and do stuff with the exmoor who is currently teaching her 3 year old girl how to ride. Under NO circumstances am I allowed to have her back :) I'm new to this, but once I can work out how I will post some pictures of my 9 year old gelding who is so utterly brilliant that his rider hardly ever bothers with tack! Maybe I've just been lucky, as people seem to have had as many bad experiences as good, but I can't imagine being without one. If you give them 100% they'll give you it right back. I do think they are a bit of a love or hate them breed, but don't hate them before you've tried them would be my advice!
 
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Sadly for my bank balance, they look better in herds!
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And how can you fail to crack a smile at this view....??
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I can only echo the great things that have been said before - as you can guess by my username, I am a total Exmoor fanatic and lots of people find this slightly odd as I was brought up with Dartmoors and Welsh Cobs!! I used to think that Exmoors were not as pretty, "shuffly" and bad tempered but since actually getting involved in the breed (by chance!) a few years ago I have discovered that they are loyal, individual, trusting and trustworthy (especially out hacking - they will keep their feet safe no matter what!) and totally GORGEOUS in a fabulously natural way. I now own/loan/look after 6 wonderful Exmoor ponies and if I never had another breed for as long as I live it wouldn't bother me in the slightest!!
The bonus of owning an Exmoor pony is the immediate circle of friends you inherit!! We Exie enthusiasts are a friendly bunch and love nothing more than a catch up and a laugh with or without ponies! There will always be someone to support you at a show and always someone delighted to see your pony out on a hack - its amazing how many people have been touched by the breed given their rare breed status!
 
I bought my first exmoor 5 years ago. I learned to ride as an adult, had been riding for just 2 years when I got him and I was (and am still) quite nervous about riding. He has taken me from a novice rider to winning at prelim and novice dressage, he has taught me how to jump and we have won showjumping and working hunter classes (I've never jumped a fence on anything else!), taken me into ridden showing classes and my first indoor evening performance at Equifest last year - basically everything! He is also a superb lead rein pony and is consistently highly placed in open lead rein finals at all the champ shows. He is absolutely brilliant with his tiny little rider (on the ground when she handles him as well as on lead) although I wouldn't put him in first ridden with a novice little person.
If I had to sum up the exmoor character I would say they are intelligent, sensitive and versatile. Once you have established trust with an exmoor they will give you so much in return. When I have the opportunity my next pony will be an exmoor youngster as I love the breed.
 
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