Exmoor spans the two beautiful and historic counties of Somerset and Devon. Exmoor as we know it to-day, began after the retreat of the last of the great ice age's, The Ice Age lasted about 990,000 this does not mean that ice was a perrmant fixture, it did not even mean that the climate was always cold, in-fact it is believed that the opposite was the case and the summers were very hot?  However ice ages did  periodically cover the earth. When the ice finally retreated due to the climatic change stabilsing. It exposed a huge sandstone plateau with many crevasses, Gradually vegetation took hold and the crevasses became beautiful wooded valleys, or combes, as they are called locally. Exactly when man first ventured on the moor is not clear. It is generally believed to be during the 'Mesolithic Period.' But,we do however know from the few scattered artifacts found, that although they were few in number they set about inhabiting the moor, with determination. For with primitive tools they built homes, husbanded animals, and started to grow crops. This was believed to be the end of the hunters gathers of the 'Mesolithic Period'. And the start of the settled communities that we live in today

This was,when wool was king, and whole industries grew on the wool trade. People spun the wool and dyed it in their own homes. The beginning of the cottage industry:? it was then transported to places like Dunster, to be turned into the finished article.The enclosure of land on Exmoor began in medieval times vast tracts of the countryside was enclosed and given to families in favor with the King to be turned into vast private estates.

On the morning of January 20th 1607, any of the people living on the high moor who happened to be looking out to sea. Would be the witnesses to a truly natural terrible phenomenon. For a great wall of water was rushing towards the coast. It turned out to be one of the world's worst natural disasters. For many what they were saw that day, was beyond their comprehension. A 8 meter high wall of water, was about to hit the North Devon, Somerset, and West Wales coast's, on that cold bright January morning. Yes it was a tsunami.!!! It flooded an area of some 200 hundred square miles, and caused the death of countless unsuspecting people, who were just going about their normal daily life, when without warning they were engulfed by a terrifying wall of water. It is only recently that investigators. have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt from old documents of eye witness reports, and various test, they have performed in the area's that were affected. That on that January morning in 1607,tsunami did indeed strike the south west coast of England.

It was in the Middle Ages, that Exmoor became a 'National Forest ' this this did not mean literally that Exmoor was a forest What it meant was the King laid claim, to all the land on Exmoor turning it into a royal hunting ground and appointed a steward to oversee it, and to collected rents of the people who lived and worked on the fringe of the moor, and wished to graze their livestock on Exmoor. Today Exmoor is designated rightly so as a place of outstanding natural beauty and is administered by the National Trust and as a National Park there are rules and obligations for the general public so please read and observe and help us to maintain this special place called Exmoor for future generations.

Exmoor Ponies. Are unique to Exmoor are believed to have first set foot in Britain, when the first wild horses crossed a swampy plain that was later to become the English Channel. This was a time when the Earth, was in the grip of ice ages and their presence ebbed and flowed with each ice age. It is believed they crossed this land bridge between 100.000 and 200,000 years, ago they bred very successfully, here in Britain alongside the 'Mammoth's despite being the prey of Wolves, Saber Toothed Tigers , and Bears. When the last of the great ice ages retreated. The English Channel was formed about 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. The English Channel effectively cut the ponys off from their traditional home in Europe. Over the years these animals have given man so much.  Exmoor farmers rode them to check on their animals, they pulled carts and were even used as pit ponies. What makes these hardy little animals so special, besides the fact that they are the only pure breed of hill pony left in the country, is that despite all that they have given us so in the past they ask nothing more of us than they be allowed to live their lives free and unhindered on the hills of Exmoor.

The wild horses which had crossed by the land bridge, were cut of from their natural homeland, and became a species indigenous to the British Isles with no further prospect of future contact with the their European ancestor's. The ponies led a very precarious existence on Exmoor. And for various reasons their numbers started to decline. It is a know fact that soldiers during the first World War who used Exmoor for training all so used the ponies for target practice unbelievable but true.Then during the second World War ponies disappeared from the Moor to be sold for slaughter in the towns and cities. The ponies fortunately had a guardian angel a wonderful spirited lady by the name of Mary Etherington. In 1947 Mary exhibited two of the ponies in London Zoo to draw the attention of the general public to their plight. And Mary not only rallied the general public, but all so farmers,and land-owners to come to the aid of these wonderful little animals with these rousing words
"The coming generations will have good reason to call us unfaithful stewards if when we are gone there are no little horses on the Exmoor hills."

And in 1980,people once more  focused on the plight of the Exmoor ponies. Due to massive publicity, enthusiasm for the ponies was re-ignited. And as more people wanted to own a Exmoor, breeding programs sprung up to supply the demand. But the difference this time  was most of the new owners were committed to preserving this unique and rare animal. Yes at long last people realize the the true worth of these extraordinary  animals and this is recognized by a new generation who are dedicated to ensuring the continued survival of the wonderful unique Exmoor pony To day these wonderful little animals can be see all over the country at feats and gymkhana's delighting children and adults alike. Yes at long last these ponys have found their rightful place in peoples hearts. And long may it be so.

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