Native Ponies & Spring Grass

Pasture management is also important and we've been chain harrowing and pasture sweeping to keep the sward healthy and start to repair winter wear. Over the year, this area is also cross-grazed with sheep and, during the winter, the herd shares their space with a few Highland cattle, before they return to the moor for summer. 

Sometimes, we'll offer the herd some hay and they all have free access to high quality nutrient blocks and salt rocks. This all helps to keep their guts and metabolism healthy.

Once the spring grass starts booming, we'll look at fencing off large squares in the middle of fields, encouraging the herd to move around the outsides so they don't gorge on too much pokey grass and maintain good levels of exercise. 

This herd also enjoys periods on different pasture areas, where there's access to lots of different non-grass surfaces and barn shelter including sea sand loafing areas. 

It's not easy managing native ponies and spring grass, but careful planning from the end of winter certainly helps to counter problems like laminitis and keep them in fit, healthy shape - while allowing them to live as naturally as possible. And just as importantly as everything else - be happy 😀🥰

The Exmoor Pony Project herd produces the  manure we use to create our wonderful, very well-matured, Exmoor Pony Poop Multi-Purpose Compost.  Find out more about Exmoor Compost here.

#ExmoorPonies #gonative #farming #Exmoor #ExmoorCompost #ponies #pony #nativeponies #exmoornationalpark