Exmoor Pony

The Exmoor pony is a native British pony from Exmoor in Devon and Somerset, where free-living herds have used open moorland for centuries. It is small, usually around 11.2 to 12.3 hands, but deep bodied, strong over the loin, and built to carry weight beyond what its height suggests. The classic look is bay, brown or dun-looking with black points, a pale mealy muzzle and eye rings, and little or no white. Breed people often mention the hooded "toad eye" and the short, water-shedding tail hairs that help protect the pony in wet winter weather.

Many Exmoors are still bred in moorland herds, then inspected, handled, and registered for riding, driving, showing, or conservation grazing. Their thriftiness is a management strength on rough forage but a risk on improved pasture, where obesity and laminitis can appear quickly. New owners should plan for steady, quiet handling if buying a semi-feral youngster, because hardiness does not replace training. Conservation breeders pay close attention to type, maternal lines, and genetic diversity, while sanctuaries and grazing projects value the breed's ability to browse coarse vegetation and live outside with sensible shelter.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White