Mountain and moorland pony breeds

Mountain and moorland or M&M ponies form a group of several breeds of ponies and small horses native to the British Isles. Many of these breeds are derived from semi-feral ponies kept on moorland or heathland, and some of them still live in this way, as well as being kept as fully domesticated horses for riding, driving and other draught work, or for horse showing.

Mountain and moorland classes at horse shows in the British Isles cover most of the breeds; however, the four closely related Welsh breeds often form their own classes.

Traditionally the modern mountain and moorland ponies have been regarded as including nine breeds (the four Welsh types being counted as one). However, in recent decades at least two further types have been recognised: the Eriskay and the Kerry bog pony. Larger native British Isles horses (such as the various large draught breeds) are not regarded as belonging to the mountain and moorland group.

Mountain and moorland ponies are generally stocky in build, with flowing mane and tail. They are very hardy and are "good doers", needing relatively little food to live on. They are prone to obesity and if allowed to graze freely on lush forage may develop related health problems, including laminitis. The various types range from about 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) to over 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm). Shetlands are smaller, not to exceed 10.2 hands (42 inches, 107 cm). Shetlands are measured in inches. 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 M&M breed that can be skewbald or piebald, though even Shetlands cannot be "spotted."

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