Exmoor pony
A British moorland pony breed adapted to harsh conditions.
The Exmoor pony is a breed native to the British Isles, belonging to the mountain and moorland group within the larger Celtic family of European ponies. It takes its name from the Exmoor moorland in northeastern Devon and western Somerset, southwest England, where it is well-suited to the harsh climate and sparse grazing. While some still roam the moor in a near-feral state, most are now privately owned. The earliest written record of ponies in the area appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, Exmoor was a Royal Forest—a hunting ground, not a woodland—until most of it was sold in 1818. That year, thirty ponies identified as the original type were moved to nearby moorland, forming the foundation of today’s breed. The Exmoor Pony Society was founded in 1921, and the first stud book was published in 1963.
The breed nearly vanished during the Second World War, when some ponies were stolen for meat. After the war, a small group of breeders worked to save the remaining stock. During the 1950s, small numbers were exported to continental Europe and Canada. In 1981, attention to the breed’s vulnerability helped its numbers recover somewhat. In the 21st century, it remains gravely endangered: only 95 head were reported in the United Kingdom in 2021, with an estimated global population of 330. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists it as a priority breed, its highest level of concern. Inbreeding is a serious issue; a 2013 study found the Exmoor pony had one of the highest inbreeding coefficients of any horse breed.
Ponies on Exmoor were first recorded in the Domesday Book, but no count was given because the King owned them and they were exempt from tax. Over time, Wardens managed the Royal Forest, charging fees for grazing livestock, including ponies. When a Warden changed, their personal ponies were often sold—for instance, in 1748 at the end of the Hill and Darch wardenship. In 1767, Warden Sir Thomas Acland grazed ponies on the Forest. Sales records from 1805 and 1809 list colors such as black, grey, bay, dun, chestnut, and piebald, and 19th-century drawings show various white markings. Scholars disagree on what this means: some argue the native type was not limited to bay, brown, and dun with mealy muzzles, and that other colors were bred out to create a romantic ideal; others believe cross-bred mares of different colors coexisted with the indigenous ty
- breed
- Exmoor Pony
- origin
- Exmoor area of moorland in north-eastern Devon and western Somerset, south-west England
- first recorded
- 1086 in Domesday Book
- breed society formed
- 1921
- first stud-book published
- 1963
- conservation status
- Priority (highest level of concern) by Rare Breeds Survival Trust
- population in UK (2021)
- 95 head
Lore & Background
Ponies were first recorded in the Exmoor area in Domesday Book in 1086, but no count of the ponies roaming the Royal Forest of Exmoor is included since, being owned by the King, they were not to be taxed. Over the centuries a series of Wardens managed the Royal Forest, charging fees for the grazing of livestock including ponies. In 1818 the Royal Forest and some adjoining land were sold to John Knight. Sir Thomas Acland, the outgoing warden, took thirty of 'the old type' to Ashway Side close to Winsford Hill, whilst others were sold to local farmers. Today's registered Exmoor pony population is descended from the Acland herd. The ponies came close to extinction during the Second World War when some were stolen for food. After the war a small group of breeders worked to preserve the remaining stock. During the 1950s small numbers were exported to continental Europe and to Canada.
Reader's Guide
The Exmoor pony is significant as a native British breed with a recorded history dating to the Domesday Book, and as a foundation stock derived from a closed herd established in 1818. It is gravely endangered, with only 95 head reported in the United Kingdom in 2021 and an estimated world-wide population of 330. Its conservation status is listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as priority, the highest level of concern. Inbreeding has become an issue, with a 2013 study finding the Exmoor pony had one of the highest inbreeding coefficients of all horse breeds. The breed is used in rewilding projects and for vegetation management on nature reserves. Some claim it descends directly from wild horses of north-west Europe, but modern DNA research has not conclusively determined its origins; studies show it shares mitochondrial DNA with various other horse breeds and its Y-chromosome is identical to that of most other domesticated horses.
Did You Know?
- The Exmoor pony is one of the mountain and moorland pony breeds native to the British Isles.
- In 1818, thirty ponies identified as the original old type were moved to neighbouring moorland and became the foundation stock of the present-day breed.
- During the Second World War, ponies were stolen for the wartime horse-meat market.
- A 2013 study found the Exmoor pony had one of the highest inbreeding coefficients of all horse breeds.
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