Exmoor ponies find a home 12,000 miles from Exmoor
Exmoor ponies find a home 12,000 miles from Exmoor
The Anchor Herd of Exmoor ponies is the world’s largest herd of free-living, pure-bred Exmoor ponies. And an intrepid pair have left the Moor and made an extraordinary 12,000-mile journey to start a herd of their own in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The pair recently arrived at Willowdale Ranch to join experienced horse breeder Anna Zhigareva where they will form the foundation of a population aimed at both preserving the breed and contributing to local conservation efforts. Anna last saw them in 2023 when she came to Exmoor to meet the Wallace family, owners of the Anchor Herd, to select a pair most suited to their new environment.
The pair are Anchor Osprey, a 2019 proven broodmare, and Anchor Monster Munch, a 2017 registered breeding stallion. Anchor Osprey is currently in foal to a registered UK-based stallion, making this a significant step in introducing purebred Exmoor ponies to New Zealand. Carefully selected for their exceptional genetics, hardiness and versatility, these ponies are set to be the foundation for a new population of Exmoor ponies.
Anna was inspired by her years of working with Exmoor ponies in Scotland. She said: “I promised myself I’d one day start an Exmoor Pony herd here in Aotearoa. They are truly one of a kind – hardy, adaptable and incredibly versatile. Beyond their value as ridden and driven ponies, Exmoor ponies are exceptional conservation grazers. I’m excited to see what they can contribute to environmental rewilding and biodiversity projects here.”
Emma Wallace, guardian of the Anchor Herd alongside her husband David Wallace, Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Exmoor Pony Society, shared her excitement about the historic development. “The Anchor Herd represents over two centuries of careful breeding and dedication to preserving the remarkable qualities of the Exmoor pony. To see Osprey and Monster Munch travel across the world to continue their legacy is truly heartening. This is not just about exporting ponies; it’s about safeguarding the future of a rare and endangered breed.”
Exmoor ponies play an active role in creating thriving ecosystems through conservation grazing, clearing invasive grasses while encouraging native plants and flowers to return. The ponies have made an extraordinary come-back under the safeguarding of the Exmoor Pony Society, from just 50 ponies after the second world war to around 4150 registered ponies today. However the Exmoor pony is still listed as ‘priority’ on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Watchlist.
The Anchor Herd has a rich history intertwined with the Ashwick Estate. The ponies carry the distinctive Anchor brand, a mark tied to their royal forest origins. The history of the Anchor Herd is one of perseverance, survival, and a staunch commitment to conservation, carried forward today by Emma and David Wallace, along with their children, Miranda and Lawrence.
The Anchor Herd has played a key role in preserving the genetic purity of this ancient breed, which dates back over 130,000 years to the first ponies that roamed Britain. The Exmoor Pony Society, formed in 1921, continues to oversee and protect the breed, ensuring its survival for generations to come.
The export of Osprey and Monster Munch to New Zealand not only marks a significant milestone for the Anchor Herd but also underscores the global importance of collaborative efforts in conserving endangered breeds.
About the Anchor Herd
The Anchor Herd is the largest herd of free-living, pure-bred Exmoor Ponies in the world and is based on the Ashwick Estate in Exmoor. All ponies in the herd are DNA-proven purebred and registered with the Exmoor Pony Society. The herd’s history traces back to Sir Thomas Acland in 1818, with the Anchor brand still used today to signify their lineage. The herd has been carefully managed by five generations of the Green-Wallace family.