Why I love Mountain and Moorland ponies.
As a child my first pony was a Shetland who I literally rode until my feet touched the ground, he loved attention and was pleased to take part in any activity I offered! I went on to buy a welsh section C mare when I was about 11 after begging my parents for as long as I could speak, I loved this pony dearly, had years of fun and I learned a lot, but what I learned from my two childhood ponies was that I would never be happy without a pony in my life.
When choosing a pony, its well worth choosing a native for so many reasons, hardiness, sturdiness, tirelessness, every sort of ness you can think of! They are usually good doers and do not need lots of supplementary feeding, they have good temperaments and love being friendly to humans, we should embrace the fact we have these ponies on our island, its out heritage and roots, many children I talk to about ponies dont even know these ponies live wild in our country! We are missing a trick here folks, please support me in my efforts to try and open Britains first breed sanctuary (made up of all rescued individuals) I want to do it primarily as ponies are my life and I want to preserve them, but also to uphold our heritage, these ponies are our wildlife and children deserve to see them and learn about them-not from books but real live creatures, wouldnt it make a super school trip? Please enjoy my descriptions and hand picked photos of peoples much loved Mountain and Moorland ponies.
Why are they called mountain and moorland ponies?
By definition these ponies are supposed to be bred from ponies which have lived semi-wild for several generations on moor or mountain, native ponies are short in leg and long in body making them sturdy and strong, overall they have small ears and large eyes, hard feet and should be able to survive on poor ground which is believed to be why so many natives fall prey to laminitis as its simply too rich for them to survive and thrive on.
A good native pony shouldnt be sick or sorry; he should be able to live out in harsh weather and barely feel the cold through his thick winter coat. Mountain and moorland ponies are generally easy to break in and train, they can usually compete against finer well bred ponies and win because they are survivors and to have survived through the ages would have had to be able to run and jump very fast!
It is worth noting that just because Mountain and moorland ponies are hardy and strong they still need care like any other pony, they need water and shelter and checking several times a day. If you are buying a first pony choosing a good native may be a wise choice.
Where did ponies come from originally?
People now believe that ponies originated from northern Europe and as the ice age passed and the snow melted some of these small ponies traveled over the remaining ice to Britain-this theory is accepted by experts.
Many years passed and small groups of ponies formed in different corners of the country, over several thousand years these herds adapted to type leading to our rich diverse pony types we see today.
It is thought that ponies have been ridden for around 6000 years and so our links with ponies are woven deep into our past, we first used them for hunting, then as a pack animal and farming, then pulling coal from the pits and barges along rivers, as roads started to develop we used them to pull cartswithout ponies would we have made it from the dark ages through the industrial revolution to where we are today?
The Exmoor Pony
The distinctive Exmoor pony cannot be mistaken for any other native breed, it will always be brown, bay or Exmoor dun with a mealy mouth this means a light grey or sandy coloured muzzle, white marking are not permitted on true Exmoors, mares should be no taller than 12.2hh and stallions and gelding 12.3hh. Stocky, sturdy and independent natured, these beautiful ponies are the closest thing to wild ponies out of all British natives.
The Dartmoor Pony
Dartmoor ponies are supposed to have dependable natures, small and hardy as the Dartmoor itself can be a harsh and unforgiving place in the colder months, their maximum height is 12.2hh and set like a mini hunter-these ponies should be good jumpers, willing and bold, they should have large bright eyes and open nostrils, a strong neck and small neat ears, true Dartmoors are any colour except piebald and skewbald, lots of white is discouraged.
The Highland Pony
The lovely highland pony ranges from 13-14.2hh and is usually grey or mousy dun but can be a creamy colour, a yellow dun, brown and black is allowed but not piebald or skewbald, sometimes they have a dark stripe running down their spine or zebra-like stripes on their wither and legs!
They are powerful but usually kind and very sturdy, a good choice of pony for a teenager or adult.
The Shetland Pony
The smallest of the natives, very hardy and can live on very poor ground, most are between 7-9 hh they can be any colour and their temperament should be kind and docile, some are known to be cheeky but this is usually because of them being fed treats they are clever and a little greedy!
These little ponies are strong and great for children to have fun riding on, they also make good little driving ponies.
The Connemara Pony
Found in Ireland, the versatile Connemara makes a ood allrounder, they are usually very good jumpers, sturdy and attractive, from 13-14.2hh they are usually quiet to ride and dependable in most situations, all colours are accepted except piebald and skewbald, most are grey, dun or brown.
The New Forest Pony
The most easily trainable (arguably) of the natives as most are very co-operative, these are very versatile and will adapt to most uses, they are keen jumpers, intelligent and kind, the range from 11.2-14.2hh, most colours are acceptable except piebald and skewbald. These ponies can vary to look at, they are usually pretty and make excellent adults and childrens ponies.
The Fell Pony
It is thought that these beautiful ponies were crossed with friesian stallions brought to Britain by the Romans, they should not exceed 14hh, they are usually black but can be bay, brown or occasionally grey, the great thing about the fell pony is it is gentle enough for children, adventurous enough for teens and and strong enough to carry an adult so a winner all round.
The Dales Pony
The dales is a strong, hardy breed durable and reliable, usually black, brown or bay and no larger than 14.2hh, these ponies have great stamina and courage, surefooted and calm they are a good pony to have around, they are stocky and handsome and can live on little grazing as they are naturally hardy.
Section A
These cheeky and versatile little ponies shouldnt exceed 12hh, they usually have very pretty heads and are very popular as childrens ponies as they are good little all-rounder and very hardy, they are often used as games ponies as they are quick and agile, its worth noting these ponys thrive on grass which isnt too rich as they are a mountain dweller originally.
Section B
These bold, beautiful ponies have good temperaments and are gutsy; they were bred to be strong enough to carry men and also used to herd sheep, they must not exceed 13.2hh or be piebald or skewbald, they make exceptional show ponies as some are fine through generations of breeding some qualities come out in them from their descendants, it was said an Arab and a thoroughbred were turned out with them over the years to improve type and so many develop fine qualities.
Section C
The smallest of the two cob types, agile, adaptable and very pretty the section c is a jack of all trades, a sturdy childrens pony or suitable for small adults, they are good for driving and being ridden in all spheres, some are exceptional jumpers, they must not exceed 13.2hh or be piebald or skewbald in colour.
Section D
The largest of the welsh breeds, a great little horse for all round riding or driving, strong and sturdy, sometimes spirited and cheeky, they have no height limit but are usually around 14.1-15.2hh but can be other sizes, like all the other sections they cannot be piebald or skewbald, a good welsh cob will last you a great many years, serving you well and doing it happily by your side, make sure you pick one with a good sound nature and you wont regret it.
The Eriskay Pony
Born black or brown they mature to grey, rarely staying their original colour, usually 12-13.2hh they make reliable, quiet and strong ponies, most are easy to do and are notably placid. Their coats are very dense and can live in more harsh conditions than any other native as they are literally waterproof, there are very few left in the world and classed as a rare breed.
The Quantock Pony
Picture Coming Soon
These ponies are found roaming on the quantock hills looking over the Bristol channel, they look similar to new forest and Exmoor ponies, they make great riding ponies as they are hardy and surefooted, varying heights but usually around 13-14hh and usually, bay brown or chestnut but other colours are found, it is argued these ponies are more a type than a breed because of their mixed heritage.
The Lundy Pony
It is said that the breed originated in the 1920s when the owner of the isle of Lundy shipped about 30 new forest mares and some welsh section Bs to the island and established it as a breed, technically they are more a type but never the less these ponies formed a look of their own and usually stand at no more than 13.2hh, their colour is usually bay, liver chestnut, roan and dun, palominos are also seen. Due to poor vegetation and harsh weather the ponies became very tough, these ponies are said to be now found in Cornwall and Devon, they are apparently still bred in small herds.
Home
