Exmoor ponies gallop to annual health check

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About 140 of the wild animals were carefully checked including their microchips, hooves and overall health on the hills near Dulverton.

Exmoor ponies are one of Britain's oldest native pony breeds, originating from the wild moorlands of Exmoor across Somerset and Devon.

About 100 ponies had their checks over the weekend and 40 Exmoor ponies had their check up on Monday.

The checks are carried out to manage the welfare of the herds, helping protect an endangered native breed, and control breeding on the moors.

David Wallace, who owns the Anchor herd of the Exmoor ponies, said: "I'm the fourth generation of the family to look after these ponies.

"It can be a three or four-man job to herd them off the moor but it's important for the next stage of the breeding cycle for next year to begin."

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