Mountain and moorland pony breeds
Mountain and moorland ponies form a group of several breeds of
Mountain and moorland classes at
Traditionally, the modern mountain and moorland ponies have been regarded as including nine breeds (the four Welsh types being counted as one). Larger native British Isles horses (such as the various large
Characteristics
Mountain and moorland ponies are generally stocky in build, with flowing manes and tails. They are very hardy and are ‘good doers’, needing relatively little feed to live on. They are prone to obesity and if allowed to graze freely on lush forage may develop health problems, including laminitis. The various types range from about 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) to more than 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm). Shetlands are smaller, not to exceed 10.2 hands (42 inches, 107 cm).[1] Shetlands are measured in inches.[2] Some breeds, such as the Exmoor, are uniform in colour and pattern but others permit a wide range of colours. However the Shetland is the only breed that can be skewbald or piebald,[citation needed] though even Shetlands cannot be spotted.[1]
Semi-feral ponies
Several types of mountain and moorland pony still live in a
Showing
In horse shows mountain and moorland classes are divided into two subsections - small breeds and large breeds, although the four Welsh types are often shown in their own classes. They are overseen by the relevant breed society and by the National Pony Society.
Mountain and moorland breeds
Small breeds
Large breeds
- Connemara Pony from County Galwayin western Ireland.
- Highland Ponyfrom Scotland.
- Dales Pony from the eastern Penninesof northern England.
- Fell Pony from Cumbriain north-western England.
- New Forest Pony from the New Forest in Hampshireon the south coast of England.
- Welsh Pony(section C) and Welsh Cob (section D) from Wales.
Showing mountain and moorland ponies
Turnout
Mountain and moorland ponies are shown in their ‘native’ state and are not trimmed nor plaited (braided). In reality a little light trimming is commonplace, for example to show off the fine head of the Connemara, and Welsh Ponies often have their manes pulled to a length of about six inches. In some cases trimming is necessary - if a small-breeds pony's tail was left to grow unchecked it would become matted with mud and the pony could stand on it, potentially causing injury to itself or its rider.
Bridles are plain and workmanlike, without coloured browbands or embellishments. A double bridle or a pelham bit is used in open classes and a snaffle bit in novice classes.
Rider dress
Riders wear
The use of spurs is forbidden in all mountain and moorland classes.
Part-bred classes
Many shows hold classes for part-bred mountain and moorland horses and ponies. In these cases, the horses are turned out according to type - for example
Conservation grazing
The mountain and moorland breeds are well-adapted to surviving on poor-quality grazing. This makes them suitable for use in conservation grazing, the use of livestock to manage land of high ecological value in a natural way. Pony breeds used in this way in Britain include the Exmoor, Dartmoor, Fell, Welsh, and New Forest (as well as some similar ponies from other parts of Europe such as the Icelandic and Konik).
See also
References
- ^ a b "Breed Standard". UK Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ "History of the Shetland". The Trawden & District Agricultural Society. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- National Pony Society website
- The Native Pony Enthusiasts Community
- The Fell Pony Society
- Fell Pony Breeders Association
External links
- British Connemara Society
- Dales Pony Society
- Dartmoor Pony Society
- The Eriskay Pony Society
- Exmoor Pony Society
- Fell Pony Society
- Highland Pony Society
- The New Forest Pony Breeding Society
- Shetland Pony Stud Book Society
- The Welsh Pony and Cob Society