Meeting with a wild pony
MORE PHOTOS IN COMMENT BOXES!
I met this lovely wild Exmoor pony while walking our dog, Zak, in Sutton Park. The rest of her herd were sheltering from the wind under a nearby tree, but this one had been scratching herself against the nearest tree to her. She was absolutely relaxed, and let me (and Zak) get quite close. I didn't want to alarm her, so didn't try to get any closer. Zak's fine with all wildlife, by the way!
Exmoor ponies were introduced to Sutton Park in July 1999 in an effort to maintain a heath and acid grassland habitat in the Bracebridge area, protecting it from birch and woodland encroachment. In other Exmoor pony trials, not only has the plant species composition been maintained, but birds (such as the nightjar on Skipwith Common, Yorkshire) and butterflies (such as the High Brown fritillary in Silverdale, Cumbria) have also benefitted. 'Before and after' effects have been and continue to be monitored in Sutton Park.
I was so thrilled to have had the privilege of meeting them - first saw them a few years ago and now I'm hooked! :o)
Meeting with a wild pony
MORE PHOTOS IN COMMENT BOXES!
I met this lovely wild Exmoor pony while walking our dog, Zak, in Sutton Park. The rest of her herd were sheltering from the wind under a nearby tree, but this one had been scratching herself against the nearest tree to her. She was absolutely relaxed, and let me (and Zak) get quite close. I didn't want to alarm her, so didn't try to get any closer. Zak's fine with all wildlife, by the way!
Exmoor ponies were introduced to Sutton Park in July 1999 in an effort to maintain a heath and acid grassland habitat in the Bracebridge area, protecting it from birch and woodland encroachment. In other Exmoor pony trials, not only has the plant species composition been maintained, but birds (such as the nightjar on Skipwith Common, Yorkshire) and butterflies (such as the High Brown fritillary in Silverdale, Cumbria) have also benefitted. 'Before and after' effects have been and continue to be monitored in Sutton Park.
I was so thrilled to have had the privilege of meeting them - first saw them a few years ago and now I'm hooked! :o)