Exmoor Ponies at Hetton Bogs

[rscott74]

The 2 images are self explanatory. I believe the idea is to keep the grass down in an environmentally friendly way. A pity they won't eat Himalayan Balsam.
It's nice to see the ponies and I hope they are left alone and that they are returned after the winter.
Are similar methods in use elsewhere?

[Paul mabbott]

It seems to be a trend - there are some at Cressbrook Dale in Derbyshire http://www.english-nature.org.uk/abo...sBrookDale.PDF
Better at eating the 'weeds' than sheep and not as messy as cows. Also a lot friendlier!

[C C]

Grazing has finaly started on an area of wet Acid Grassland near me, it took close to 12 years to come up with a "suitable" management plan.

Their main area was once recorded to have the highest density population of Marsh Fritillary in Europe. The area is now grazed by Cows. I have been told on many occassions that Horses/Ponies are poor grazers, too selective in what they eat, thus making them a poor method for maintaining a Grassland??? Any one knows how true this is.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I believe that horses/ponies eat pretty much everything....However if there is something they prefer they will make a beeline for that. Whereas cows get their head down and eat whatever is infront of them!

Don't get me wrong cows are not stupid and will head for areas which has things they like....but once their head is down they eat everything....even seen them chomping on gorse up on Ashdown Forest.

Speaking of Ashdown forest they have cows and sheep at the moment. I believe there was talk of ponies too but I have yet to see them!

Cheers Jacob

[rscott74]

When I was passing by Hetton Bogs yesterday I took a few shots of the ponies and this one turned out well. It seems to capture the sun and wind as well as the character of the pony.
As can be seen they've knocked the vegetation down. They also seem a bit less camera shy.

[Paul mabbott]

No, cows are stupid [but nowhere near as stupid as sheep!]! However, chomping on gorse isn't a stupid thing for large grazers - has leaves late and early and is available all year long. It (along with broom) was a major source of winter fodder in days of old.

Surprised to hear that anyone grazes sheep in a sensitive area nowadays although, on second thoughts, along with cows/ponies they perhaps don't create the problems they do when in monoculture ....

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

I believe that horses/ponies eat pretty much everything....However if there is something they prefer they will make a beeline for that. Whereas cows get their head down and eat whatever is infront of them!

Don't get me wrong cows are not stupid and will head for areas which has things they like....but once their head is down they eat everything....even seen them chomping on gorse up on Ashdown Forest.

Speaking of Ashdown forest they have cows and sheep at the moment. I believe there was talk of ponies too but I have yet to see them!

Cheers Jacob

[C C]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

No, cows are stupid [but nowhere near as stupid as sheep!]! However, chomping on gorse isn't a stupid thing for large grazers - has leaves late and early and is available all year long. It (along with broom) was a major source of winter fodder in days of old.

Surprised to hear that anyone grazes sheep in a sensitive area nowadays although, on second thoughts, along with cows/ponies they perhaps don't create the problems they do when in monoculture ....

There is a small meadow near me that has Sheep to manage it. The field is full of Meadow ant mounds. I guess they are prefered here, as Cows and Ponies would be a bit heavy footed toward the Ants.

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Surprised to hear that anyone grazes sheep in a sensitive area nowadays although, on second thoughts, along with cows/ponies they perhaps don't create the problems they do when in monoculture ....

Hi Paul

Not sure where you are coming from with this comment, sheep have their place as do the other grazing animals. Most importantly they are light on their feet and do little or no damage to sensitive turf.

All the best

[naturelover]

what a lovely picture that is,so natural well done.

[juliejam]

What a lovely little pony..they will very soon clear the area of grass and other eatables...like the Dartmoor and Newforest pony they become very hardy .They look like they are already developing their winter coats...But lets hope this winter is kind to them...One of my first ponies was a Newforest ..I was around 3-4yrs old..looked very much like the one in the second pic...I loved her to bits..

Julie