THE EXMOOR PONY SOCIETY |
THE EXMOOR PONY SOCIETY
For more information:
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The Exmoor Pony Society
www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk
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MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES
Secretary: Ms Sue McGeever
Tel 01884 839930
email [email protected]
Woodmans, Brithem Bottom, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NB |
SHOWS
Show Secretary: Miss Sarah Taylor
Tel/fax 01643 831099
email [email protected]
The Oaks, Worth Farm, Withypool, Somerset TA24 7RQ
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www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk
http://www.friendsofexmoorponies.ltd.uk/film.php |
The Exmoor Pony - A National Treasure |
"The coming generations will have good reason to call us unfaithful stewards if when we are gone there are no little horses on the Exmoor hills."
Mary Etherington, 1947
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The Exmoor Pony Society Online Shop |
You can now treat yourself and your friends to some wonderful Exmoor Pony goods - Books & Films, Cards & Calendars, Gifts and Clothing!
Goods can be ordered from any location (UKand non-UK). Payment can be made through Paypal with online ordering or by cheque with a printed order form.
The online shop can be accessed either through www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk or www.friendsofexmoorponies.ltd.uk |
NEW FILM! "Discovering Exmoor Ponies" by Alan Tibbitts
The most innovative, exciting film EVER made of Exmoor ponies - available now! |
TO BUY THE FILM NOW visit http://www.friendsofexmoorponies.ltd.uk/film.php
“Discovering Exmoor Ponies” tells the story of a remarkable and very rare pony. Few animals are as enigmatic as the Exmoor Pony. On the one hand, full of natural wisdom and able to live independently in the wild. Yet, once tamed and trained, willing to place their trust in people.
Film-maker Alan Tibbitts spent a year capturing both Exmoor pony worlds, filming on Exmoor and throughout the British isles: free-living ponies in blizzards, torrential rain and soft, summer sun; herds being gathered in from the moors in the autumn; scenes of ponies roaming free against the backdrop of lochs and mountains in Scotland. The film also explores the lives of ponies that leave the wild existence and reveals the wide range of activities they are capable of with people: endurance riding; trekking; showing; competitive and pleasure driving; riding and driving for the disabled; and providing so much enjoyment and fun.
Order your copy now... and support The Exmoor Pony Society!
Available in DVD (Region 2 UK/Europe) and VHS Video (PAL) formats (others -please enquire) Price £14.99 (plus £1 postage and packing for UK) from Friends of Exmoor Ponies.
Click here for an order form
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The stunning images and fascinating story are enhanced by the beautiful music of top acoustic duo ‘Show of Hands’, harpist Charlotte Poulter and, for the opening sequence, the title track from Enya’s unforgettable album “The Celts”. |
Why an Exmoor Pony Society? |
The Exmoor Pony is a rare, unique, survivor. For many centuries it existed on the moor with little human interference, except for the annual 'harvest' of young animals. In the last 200 years, changes, such as enclosure of much of the moor, intensification of agriculture, 'improvement' of our native ponies by cross-breeding, and the spread of motor transport, led to a decline.
In 1921 the Exmoor Pony Society was set up, largely by local breeders and enthusiasts, to ensure the continuation of the true, pure-bred Exmoor Pony and to overcome its many threats. |
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The Exmoor Pony Society was formed in 1921 with the aim then, as it is today, to encourage the breeding of Exmoor Ponies of Moorland Type. It produced its first Stud Book in 1963 and, with computerisation, all known ponies are included in the Fourth Edition. The Society holds a Stallion Parade in conjunction with its AGM in early May each year and an annual Breed Show near Exford in August where there are a wide variety of ridden and in-hand classes. A second Stallion Parade is held in the Midlands in September. Each area has an Area Representative and several area Exmoor Pony Shows are held along with social activities. There are several Performance Award Schemes and the Society and the Horserace Betting Levy Board provide premiums for stallions, mares, foals and youngstock and prizes and special rosettes at many shows. The Handbook contains a wealth of information, the ponies history is detailed in the Speed Papers, "Survival of the Fittest" a book about the breed by Dr Sue Baker and Martin Hesp's video on the pony are available from the Secretary. Membership costs are reasonable, fundraising is also undertaken by "Friends of Exmoor Ponies" at venues throughout the country.
A stock Sales List is available on application (SAE please) and youngstock is readily available in the Autumn. |
The Main Aims of The Exmoor Pony Society |
1) To promote and encourage the breeding of Exmoor Ponies.
2) To form and publish a Stud Book.
3) To institute an Annual Show.
4) To inspect all ponies eligible for registration
5) To examine and approve pony stallions.
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What is an Exmoor Pony? |
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The Exmoor is a very hardy British native pony about 12 hands in height. Its colour is brown, bay or dun with black points and mealy muzzle. No white markings are accepted. Other characteristics include toad eyes, good bone, a weatherproof coat and a snow chute on the tail. These primitive features suggest very little change since the Old Stone Age. Caves in the nearby Mendip Hills have revealed horse bones identical to modern Exmoor ponies from 12,000 years b.p. Around 200 Exmoor ponies are still free-living on the moor. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust have listed the Exmoor as 'endangered'. |
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Where Can I find Exmoor ponies? |
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The Habitat of the Exmoor Pony
Exmoor is situated in the south-west of Britain, spanning the borders of Somerset and Devon, its northern boundary being the high cliffs of the Bristol Channel. It is an area of high moorland (highest point Dunkery Beacon, 520m.), divided by steep wooded valleys and interspersed with enclosed farms. This provides a varied diet of moor grasses, rushes, heather and gorse.
Exmoor Ponies are free living in the following locations on Exmoor
Blackpitts; Burcombe; Codsend Moor; Deerpark; Dunkery; East Anstey Common; Haddon Hill; Ilkerton Ridge; Molland Common/West Anstey Common; Porlock Common; Warren Farm; Winsford Hill, South Hill and Withypool Common |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Exmoors |
| Are free-living Exmoor ponies wild animals? |
| They are not wild in the sense that all the free-living Exmoor ponies have owners who manage the breeding of the herds by selecting stallions. However, the ponies find all their own food and are equipped by nature to live out all year. So, ecologically, they are essentially wild. |
Where can I buy an Exmoor pony?
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| There are no public sales or auctions of ponies. There is a sales list on the www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk website or available from the Exmoor Pony Society Secretary. ( Please include a SAE with your enquiry). |
| How can I tell if a pony is registered? |
| All registered Exmoor ponies born before 2003 are branded with the society star and breeders number on the left shoulder and an individual number on the left hindquarter. Ponies from the original Acland herd have an anchor brand instead of a herd number. Ponies born in or after 2003 may be identified as above OR with a microchip implanted in the neck muscle. They should also have a passport with them. If in doubt contact the secretary.
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| How much feed does my pony need? |
If not in work, grass (limited in summer) or up to about 2.5kgs hay in winter when grazing is poor. Haylage can be a little too rich for them.
In work, they generally need less than many other breeds. A feed specially designed for "good doers" or native horses/ponies is the best choice. |
| Can I trim or clip my pony? |
Many people clip their ponies if working them in the winter, as it is more comfortable for the pony (and easier for the owner). Clipped ponies will need a rug.
Ponies that are to be shown in ridden or driving classes may be clipped except for the legs. Clipped ponies may NOT be shown in in hand classes until the clip has completely grown out. Ponies should not be trimmed at all, no pulling of manes or tails, no tidying of jawline ears, or feathers. Ponies should be shown in a natural state so no plaiting. |
| How much weight can an Exmoor carry? |
| Larger ponies can generally carry up to about 12 stone quite comfortably. Even the smaller ones are capable of carrying a medium sized adult. |
| What Can I do with an Exmoor Pony? |
People often assume that Exmoors can only be used for grazing. They are so wrong! The Exmoor Pony is an intelligent, capable pony with a willing temperament - the pictures below show just some of the activities you can enjoy with them...
Ridden Classes
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Adult Ridden
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Riding on the Beach!
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Ridden Pairs
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Endurance
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Hunting
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Children
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Adventure! |
Cross Country
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Showing
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Simply watching!
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Books about Exmoor Ponies... |
All prices including postage and packaging in the UK only. Please enquire for postage outside the UK. The Exmoor Pony Society cannot accept credit cards. Please make cheques or postal orders payable to Friends of Exmoor Ponies and send them to: Friends of Exmoor Ponies, Wheelwrights Cottage, Oldways End, East Anstey, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 9JQ Remember to include your name, address and telephone number in case of query.
| The Exmoor Pony |
An introduction to the Exmoor pony breed, 88 pages, softback (Illustrated)
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£5.00 |
| The Speed Papers |
The origins and characteristics of the breed (Illustrated) |
£3.40 |
| Survival Of The Fittest |
The history and natural history of the Exmoor Pony (Illustrated) |
£13.70 |
| The Stud Book |
2000 edition. Bound volume. Includes all registered ponies, a historical supplement etc |
£13.95 |
| The Exmoor Pony |
Video documentary by Martin Hesp. 1992, 45 minutes. |
£10.99 |
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Membership to The Exmoor Pony Society |
By joining the Exmoor Pony Society, you can help the organisation in its quest to protect the Exmoor pony. There are five types of membership to the Exmoor Pony Society:
Life Membership - One Off Joining Fee £450
Full Membership - One-Off Joining Fee £5; Annual Subscription £25
Family Membership *1 - One-Off Joining Fee £5; Annual Subscription £30
Associate Membership *2 - One-Off Joining Fee £5; Annual Subscription £17
Junior Membership *3 - One-Off Joining Fee n/a; Annual Subscription £10
*1 Only one vote is allowed per family.
*2 No voting rights. Meant for people not actively breeding or showing Exmoor ponies.
*3 Under 18s. No voting rights.
For a Membership Form and to Join The Exmoor Pony Society CLICK HERE http://www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk/member.php
Membership Contact : The Secretary, The Exmoor Pony Society, Woodmans, Brithem Bottom, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NB |
