Exmoors Invade the Midlands

by Val Sherwin

Talk of the Midlands in England and to an outsider the image created is one of industry and dense population. Travel on the roads during rush hour and it's nothing short of frustrating as you inch your way to your final destination on roads that were never intended for the present day volume of traffic. But look behind the first impressions and you will find many peaceful havens and areas of outstanding natural beauty and a wide range of outdoor pursuits, with equine-related interests at the top of the list. There is a wide choice of riding clubs and schools. Equestrian activities of all sorts are catered for, whether it's social or professional.

Exmoor ponies have proved to be the most effective conservation grazers

While it is no surprise that conservation is becoming a big issue in the Midlands (as it is nationwide), the ways of tackling it are becoming more diverse and interesting. One aspect that may not be common knowledge involves the steady infiltration of the Exmoor pony, which for some years has been gaining a reputation as an effective conservation grazer. This recognised rare breed is now not only helping to conserve areas of outstanding natural beauty but, in doing so, is also helping to conserve itself.

An interesting project in the heart of the Midlands at Sutton Park, just outside Sutton Coldfield, will shortly be completing its first twelve months. The park has a well-documented history. In the 11th Century it was part of a Royal Forest ('Royal Forest' being the title given to an area of hunting ground owned by the reigning monarch). It is a superb example of a medieval park and has many interesting features. In the 16th Century King Henry VIII presented the park to the people of Sutton Coldfield and its status has remained so to this day. It is used extensively by its visitors and plays host to many outdoor pursuits, one of which is horse riding, with recognised bridle paths throughout.

The Park is managed by Birmingham City Council who have in recent years been concerned about the fall in grazing levels. Insufficient grazing levels have meant that over a short period, heathlands are turned to scrub, thus altering the character and natural balance of the Park's ecology. Previous attempts at overcoming the grazing problems have ranged from 'fairly successful' to 'disastrous' - the legend of the Galloway Cattle still lives on! Even now, locals and park rangers alike are always ready to remind you of the stampede in Sutton Coldfield High Street on a particularly busy afternoon. So you can imagine the shrieks of horror from the local police station, the veterinary surgery and the 'urban' Birmingham City Council at the mere mention of 'wild' Exmoor ponies.

Despite protestations and plenty of interrogation, two men stood their ground and pleaded the ponies' case, one being a representative from English Nature and the other being one of the park rangers who was being warned constantly that another stampede would be imminent! However, after several meetings and the erection of enough fencing to keep a herd of elephants in place, an experimental area was ready for its new grazers in May 1999.

Ponies from the Anchor herd awaiting relocation

Having overcome the initial obstacles, the next stage of the project was getting the ponies from Exmoor. A nucleus herd of eight assorted matriarchal mares and youngsters was to be the ideal. Unfortunately, the timing was now not ideal as the ponies are only brought 'inground' once a year in October, and few areas would have the time or manpower needed to round the ponies up a second time. Another difficulty was that, genetically, few herds could afford to lose eight of their female breeding stock at once. The herd that responded and could supply the numbers was the largest herd on Exmoor - the "Anchor" ponies, owned by Mrs Rose Wallace. The numbers could be accommodated but the Council were advised not to transport the older mares at this time as they could well be due to foal. This factor, coupled with the fact that none of them had ever been transported before, would be too stressful. It was agreed that October would be more suitable for them, by which time the foals would be weaned and the mares, if pregnant again, would not be too heavy to cause excessive stress to themselves or their unborn foals.

And so, early one May morning, a group of five fillies, aged from three years down to yearlings, arrived in Sutton Park in a blaze of publicity, to be released from their arrival pen into their new home by local school children. Like all true Exmoors, they settled in very quickly and got on with their job and, by the time their older 'Aunts' arrived in October, they looked for all the world as if they had never lived anywhere else. Their impact on the park has been enormous. So much so that there is already talk of extending the project. Not only have the ponies proved to be effective grazers in such a short time, but they have also created a great deal of interest in their breed and its origins. They regularly make appearances in the local press and on television, which is all good news - for themselves and for their relatives nationwide. As people begin to learn more about these unique creatures and their many qualities, it is hoped that they will be recognised for both their grazing abilities and their all round versatility as the true family ponies that they used to be before they became unfashionable. It is a sad reflection that one of our original native ponies is now struggling on a Rare Breeds list, but let's hope that the interest generated by bodies such as Birmingham City Council will help to raise their profile and revive the popularity that they enjoyed at the beginning of the last century.

As a point of interest, this is not the first group of free-living Exmoor ponies in the Midlands area. Both English Nature and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust play host to herds. If anyone would like further information, please contact the magazine.

Photographs © Sue Wingate and Val Sherwin