The Exmoor pony is the closest surviving breed to the Celtic, or British hill Pony. They still live wild on one of the remote moors of England, Exmoor, for which they are named. There they are managed by their owners only by yearly round ups, weanling sales and stallion selections. Otherwise the ponies fend for themselves on the windy, cold, wet and infertile moor. This management has created a definging nucleus of the breed that ensures a hady, strong pony that has stayed true to the wild type.
At first glance, all Exmoors Ponies look alike. They are all wild bay colour. They all have mealy markings around the eyes, nose, belly and inner thigh; much like a deer. In summer their coat is short, flat and shiny, but in winter they grow a double coat or outer guard hairs and inner soft hair. This coat insulates them so well that in cold weather snow will not melt on them. This coat is also good at channeling rain off the body so that it never touches their skin.
Exmoors have a prominent ridge over the eye which is called a hooded eye. This is thought to help keep rain off their eyes. Their large, wide set eyes also give them an extra wide field of vision and a distinctive, very appealing expression. The ponies' moorland living has given them a very efficient digestive system. They have a large girth and stomach capacity and unusually prehensile lips. Whereas they thrive on gorse bushes, they will get fat on too much hay or too much pasture. They are "easy keepers" personified.
Exmoor ponies range in size from 11.2 hh up to 13.1 hh. Heights above 12.2 hh occur more frequently in domestication. They are stocky and strong and can carry an adult fox hunting. Their action is long and low and more comfortable than many ponies their size. The mountain and moorland habitat of the Exmoor pony has bred into them balance, agility and sure footedness.
From their survival breeding, their temperament is intelligent, sensible and independent. The Exmoors imported into North America have additionally been chosen for friendly attitudes, however it usually takes some experience as a rider to get their best work out of them.
In England this versatile pony has been used for driving, sheep herding, plowing, fox hunting and as children's show ponies. It has also been used in cross breeding programs to improve the soundness of other breeds. The Rev. John (Jack) Russel held the opinion that any hunter without Exmoor blood was inferior. He felt that even a 1/4 Exmoor cross was as intelligent as a dog.
The Exmoor Pony remains extremely rare. The population on the moor in England is limited to about 150 ponies. In North America there are just under 80 ponies and the world wide population is about 1200. While they are genetically invaluable for their unique history and hardiness, it is an added bonus that they are also versatile riding ponies. Exmoors are wonderful to live with, easy to care for, easy to fall in love with and sensible enough to learn all things equine.
They are "The Original Off-Roader".