Exmoor Ponies have returned to the nature reserve to help us with the restoration of the heath. They will spend the next 6 months eating heathland weeds, breaking up dense vegetation and puddling the edges of our new ponds.
Three of the ponies arriving and immediately exploring their surroundings.
The ponies spend their winter on the South Downs and sites closer to the Sussex coast. They are owned and managed by by The Sussex Pony Grazing and Conservation Trust and are part of a larger herd which now numbers over 40.
The ponies first arrived at Broadwater Warren in 2010 and then returned in 2012. This year ,six of these lovely animals will spend their summer roaming widely over the 150 acre area created for them. They might be seen at any time browsing along the edges of the visitor trails or shading themselves under trees on warm summer days.
Ponies beside one of the visitor trails.
The ponies will generally want to ignore people. It is important that people do not approach them. It is also important that people do not offer them food. This would encourage them to encourage people - exactly want we and the Pony Trust want to avoid.
We are very grateful to the Pony Trust and to their dedicated team of volunteers who make sure the ponies are checked every day. If however, you have any concerns about any of ponies please call the grazier directly on 07917 420296.