Tell me about your Exmoor ponies!

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alliwantforchristmas

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so, I have the chance of being given an Exmoor pony. Rising 7, about 12.1, gelding. Not done anything training-wise, been left in the field for last five years pretty much. Good to catch, lead (from field to stable), handle/groom, feet trimmed regularly. Seems to love people and scratches! Friendly little chap, very cheeky!

so tell me about your Exmoors ... what do you do with them? Could I ride him (I'm 5'4" and weigh about nine and a half stone in my pjs!). Have you had difficulty getting saddles to fit ... what do you use on your Exmoor if you ride them? What are they like personality-wise? Thanks!
 
I have never owned an Exmoor but did break one to ride when it was 13, a well handled former broodmare, she was extremely easy, willing to learn and at your size you will be fine as they are more than capable of carrying an adult, I cannot remember what saddle I used other than it would have been a very wide flat one.
 
I have an exmoor. Shes rising 6 and i broke her last autumn. Her breeder is on here as well as lots of other exmoor people. They can be hard for saddle fit, my pony has a silhouette saddle but saddle company saddles fit too. Lots of people use thorn pads but i didnt like them.

They are great characters and very cheeky and they choose you not the other way round. I rode my pony for the first time on a MMT fun ride- no issues because she trusted me. Shes very funny sith otgers and even difficult for her breeder to even catch. Im 5' 2 and 7stone and she has no problem carrying me at all and people heavier and bigger than me ride them. Shes short but stocky, has won and been champion/ reserve champion numerous times inhand showing and will continue the in hand this year and will come out under saddle in novice riddens.. Shes a real character though and stands in buckets, water troughs, throws buckets and even takes her rugs off with them done up.
 
Cheeky like most ponies! I bought one at weaning and kept him (entire) for 5 years. Even though we had mares he didn't bother about them. He had a really sweet nature, and everyone who met him loved him. I sold him, but have been to see him a couple of times. I bought him with the intention of driving him, but then had to sell him to pay the vets bills for our old horse who had uveitis.
 
I used to ride an Exmoor stallion bareback, many years ago when it we didn't have the huge range of saddles available today. I adored riding him and he was great fun, very cheeky but also polite and well mannered. We used to go haring through the woods jumping everything in sight... would love to go back to those days!
 
A friend had one until recently, he was 40 when he passed away. A real character, beautiful with children but would drop his shoulder and bu***r off with a more able rider. A proper pony and well up to carrying a reasonable weight.
 
thanks for the replies ... they sound like good fun! have done a bit of research on the Exmoor site etc and it does seem they can carry a fair bit of weight - a good incentive for me to watch my weight if he does end up being ridden! They really are cracking looking ponies. I am very tempted ... space/grazing isn't a problem and it would help out the owner who needs to have her old shetland pts, and doesn't want to keep Exmoor alone, or get another pony ... hmmm ... now to have a chat with OH!! He's only just got over the arrival of irish cob!
 
Eyoop Ducks. I have an Exie. I got him six months ago straight off Darwen Moor. He's a Herd 8 Frithesden Singing Grass son. He's 4 in May & an absolute joy to have about. He was nervous at first & I won't lie, it took me 3 months to get a headcollar on him. Since then, he's been doing handy pony stuff in our school & we went to our first show last weekend.
Plusses - Loyal. Handsome. Economic (Lives on fresh air). Fast. Brave. Very, very cute & cuddly.
Cons - Clever. Too flipping clever. Stubborn as the day is long.

You have yourself a friend for life there, OP. Exies are seriously addictive.
 
I have two, both Cumbrian moor bred. One didn't do much until I got him at 14. He's a dude but not the most generous pony. The other I've had since weaning and is the happiest pony I've ever met.Get them onside and they are amazing companions.
If you think they are being stubborn you need to re ask the question-they often need a why rather than a do. Neither of mine have been difficult to saddle fit-both have decent shoulders and do fine in TG saddles. Also great in bareback pads!. Bridles generally have to made from parts. They are extremely sure footed and amazing over any ground.

Pros

very clever
extremely hardy-especially if you leave their coats as nature intended

very trainable

gorgeous

will teach you more about body language (yours and equine) than you thought possible

mine both have feet like rock-I can't imagine either ever being self trimming

Cons

I would say a slightly more hard-wired flight response especially if moor bred

will teach you more about body language (yours and equine) than you thought possible :D

do best on rough grazing -alright if you have some

less forgiving imho
 
Last edited:
MotherOfChickens said:
I have two, both Cumbrian moor bred. One didn't do much until I got him at 14. He's a dude but not the most generous pony. The other I've had since weaning and is the happiest pony I've ever met.Get them onside and they are amazing companions.
If you think they are being stubborn you need to re ask the question-they often need a why rather than a do. Neither of none have been difficult to saddle fit-both have decent shoulders and do fine in TG saddles. Also great in bareback pads!. Bridles generally have to made from parts. They are extremely sure footed and amazing over any ground.

Pros

very clever
extremely hardy-especially if you leave their coats as nature intended

very trainable

gorgeous

will teach you more about body language (yours and equine) than you thought possible

mine both have feet like rock-I can't imagine either ever being self trimming

Cons

I would say a slightly more hard-wired flight response especially if moor bred

will teach you more about body language (yours and equine) than you thought possible :D

do best on rough grazing -alright if you have some

less forgiving imho
Click to expand...



Every word is true.
 
alliwantforchristmas said:
so, I have the chance of being given an Exmoor pony. Rising 7, about 12.1, gelding. Not done anything training-wise, been left in the field for last five years pretty much. Good to catch, lead (from field to stable), handle/groom, feet trimmed regularly. Seems to love people and scratches! Friendly little chap, very cheeky!

so tell me about your Exmoors ... what do you do with them? Could I ride him (I'm 5'4" and weigh about nine and a half stone in my pjs!). Have you had difficulty getting saddles to fit ... what do you use on your Exmoor if you ride them? What are they like personality-wise? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Oh & I reckon 7 is a fine age to back for an Exie.
 
wow wow ... so I think you missed out on one BIG pro ... like most photogenic horse in the world!!

so gorgeous ... if I do nothing else with him I can take fab photos!!



yes, I am cool with backing at seven ... I think it's great this little guy hasn't done anything until his growth plates have closed etc. OH has caved in after one and a half bottles of wine, a very nicely cooked dinner and the whole discussion of "but he's very small, and a good doer, spring is coming, light nights, ... and the same age as Henry so they can grow old together ...(oh is blissfully oblivious to the fact that things can go very wrong with animals ... )
 
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