WHAT makes an Exmoor pony an Exmoor pony?

That is the question being put to a number of conservation organisations and scientists from Nottingham University as a project to understand more about the ponies' gene pool gets underway.

Exmoor National Park will be working with the on the task with the Exmoor Pony Society, the Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group, and Moorland Mousie Trust as well with Defra, local vet Peter Green, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and Nottingham University on the task.

The plan is to characterise the animal's genome - its complete set of DNA - to help understand where the pony has come from and which other breeds it is closely related to. It could also help to guide future breeding programmes.

During the last World War, pony numbers on Exmoor were drastically reduced - meat was in short supply and by the end of the war only around 50 ponies were left.

It is from this tiny population that all Exmoor ponies derive. The genetic pool is, therefore, very small and the group want to try and preserve as much genetic diversity as possible to ensure the long term welfare of the ponies on the moor.

A spokesman for Exmoor National Park said: "The team is currently agreeing the scope of work and fundraising for the project.

"If successful, the first phase will go ahead when the ponies are collected from the moor at the annual gatherings. "Samples will be taken from the ponies and analysed by scientists at Nottingham. It is hoped that by early next year we will, for the first time, have the genome of the Exmoor pony.

In another initiative, Exmoor National Park Authority has established an Exmoor Pony Grant Fund to promote and conserve free-living Exmoor ponies. Grant applications could include equipment, measures to conserve the landscape using Exmoor ponies, promotion of the breed, marketing or research.

Sarah Bryan, head of conservation and access at Exmoor National Park said: “The Exmoor landscape would be incomplete without the free living Exmoor pony and I believe that the Genome Project marks a pivotal moment in the long term survival of this endangered breed.

"We are delighted with the progress that is being made and look forward to seeing the results of this innovative project.

“We are also pleased to be able to announce the launch of the Exmoor Pony Grant in recognition of the essential work that owners carry out to keep these iconic herds on the moor and we look forward to receiving applications.”

Grants of up to £500 on a total project spend of £1,000 are available. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/1XV6zCG or contact Heather Harley, conservation officer (farming & land management) on 01398 322277, hjharley@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk