Exmoor ponies are considered among the rarest of equine breeds and
originate from the southwestern United Kingdom. These versatile small
ponies are used for pleasure riding, carriage driving, jumping, foxhunting,
and showing.
The Exmoor pony is special. These rare and ancient Britons are virtually
unchanged in 10,000 years. The Celts were the first humans to train
Exmoors to their chariots. The first written records of Exmoors appear
in the Domesday Book.
Exmoor ponies are survivors. They have small ears to prevent heat loss
during harsh winters. Their primitive "toad eyes" have raised,
fleshy rims above the eye to prevent precipitation from running into
the eyes. The classic pony head has large nasal passages to warm air
before entry into the lungs. The large, unique teeth have an extra,
or seventh molar to make mastication of coarse, thorny vegetation efficient.
The gait is low, smooth and surefooted. In the winter, the hairs at
the root of the low-set tail grow short and fan out, forming a precipitation
chute. The body is deep through the heart girths and wide through the
chest. The summer coat is short and shiny, and the winter coat is double
layered and dense, like a dog's coat rather than shaggy. The inner insulating
coat layer is soft and springy whilst the outer waterproof layer is
slightly greasy. The strong legs have plenty of bone, and the feet are
always black. No white markings on the feet or elsewhere are permitted.
Coat colors are bay, brown or mouse dun with mealy markings around the
eyte, on the muzzle, and across the underbelly.
These ponies have been used to shepard, plow and harrow, fox hunt and
for showing, driving, jumping, long distance riding, and riding and
driving for the disabled.