Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor ponies

22/11/2025

Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor ponies is the oldest family owned herd of Exmoor ponies in Exmoor National Park - and indeed the world. The ponies run in two pedigree herds - on Withypool Common and Anstey Common. This year's foals have been gathered in and inspected and registered. A number of filly foals have returned to the breeding herd, two groups of foals are joining conservation projects, and there are a small number of foals and yearlings looking for good opportunities:
You can read more about Withypoole Herd 23 and find contact details for the Milton family at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23
Beautiful photos by Sarah Hailstone Exmoor with Jack

22/10/2025

Withypoole Herd 23 is the oldest family owned herd of Exmoor ponies in Exmoor National Park. The ponies run in two herds - on Withypool Common and Anstey Common - they have just been gathered in, and the foals weaned and inspected. A number of filly foals have returned to the breeding herd, two groups of foals are joining conservation projects, and there are a small number of foals and yearlings looking for good opportunities:

Two of the beautiful pedigree filly yearlings were the late born foals last year, so are ‘young yearlings’.
There is a very nice pedigree filly foal.
There are a small number of very nice pedigree c**t foals, who will be gelded shortly.
Two lovely filly foals ‘failed’ inspection due to a tiny number of paler hairs in their tails. One is the closest to the incredibly rare Exmoor dun we've seen in years and was admired by all. She can be re-presented for inspection once more, next year, when these tiny number of hairs are highly likely to become blonder, rather than whiter, or have fallen out in a coat change.
One c**t foal was also ‘failed’ due to a tiny number of paler hairs in his tail. He will shortly be gelded.

You can read more about Withypoole Herd 23 and find contact details for the Milton family at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23

Beautiful photos by Sarah Hailstone Exmoor with Jack

31/12/2023

Withypoole Herd 23 is the oldest family-owned herd of Exmoor ponies. This pedigree herd runs on Withypool and Anstey Commons in Exmoor National Park and is owned by the Milton family. There is a small selection of outstanding quality weaned foals and yearlings in ground on the farm at the moment, so this is a great time to find out more about the herd. More information can be found Herd 23 here https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23 and please contact us and Tim Milton here on FB.

28/11/2023

If you missed BBC's The One Show last week, featuring the Milton family's Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor pony herd gathering, you can watch the delightful (and spectacular) footage here, below. The pedigree foals are now in ground on the farm after passing their inspection - find out more at www.mepbg.co.uk.
Thank you to The One Show - on BBC iPlayer at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007tcw7/the-one-show

21/10/2023

Our Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor ponies have now been checked and the foals weaned, inspected and pedigree registered. Exmoor ponies are one of the UK's most ancient native breeds. If you're interested in finding out more about this herd please find contact details here at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23

Photos thanks to

13/10/2023

Just to let you know, Withypoole Herd 23 is gathering our ponies this weekend. Tomorrow, it's the herd from Withypool Common and on Sunday it's the herd from Anstey Common. Foals will be weaned and then inspected, DNA parentage verified and issued with pedigree passports. For more info on Herd 23 please visit https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23
Exmoor ponies are one of the UK's most ancient native pony breeds and they are on the Rare Breed Survival Trust's critical list. Every Exmoor pony is precious and important

01/11/2022

Good news! All of our Withypoole Herd 23 filly foals are now spoken for and some of the c**t foals. We have three beautiful c**t foals and a c**t yearling. Please contact us for more information about the Herd 23 Exmoor ponies. Either through this page or through our MEPBG herd page at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23

23/10/2022

Some stunning photographs by Geoff Baylis and Sarah Hailstone from the recent gathering of our Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor ponies. The foals have now been inspected for pedigree registration and you can find more info about the herd and contact details for the Milton family here at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23
Herd 23 is the oldest family-owned herd of Exmoor ponies and they are famous for their beautiful bright bay colouring, strength and hardiness, and excellent conformation and movement.

04/03/2022

We have a 2 year old and 2 yearlings (last year's foals) in ground at the farm on Exmoor. You can find out more about the history of Herd 23, the oldest family-owned herd of moorbred Exmoor ponies at https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23 and please feel welcome to PM us.

We went to see the beautiful pedigree Withypoole Herd 23 Exmoor pony foals yesterday. A good number have already gone to their new homes and some more are reserved. All of them are super quality and it was lovely to see them close up. For more information about this historic herd (est 1818 and owned by the Milton family) please visit https://www.mepbg.co.uk/withypoole-herd-23
Tim Milton