44 



Moorland Ponies. 



nevertheless the practice of branding the ponies is not followed 

 to any extent. Two brands are, however, well known to all 

 breeders and purchasers, and are much sought after, namely, 

 the anchor brand of Sir Thomas Acland and the broken spur 

 brand of Lord Foitescue. The former is applied to the ponies 

 at two years old, whilst Lord Fortescue's are branded as suckers. 

 Many of the best ponies are bred on the big enclosures or 

 allotments on the edge of Exmoor, which were once part of 

 the moor, but now are very rough pasture. On Withypool, 

 Brendon, and Porlock Commons the grazing rights are regulated 



by the " Commons Act," under which the people of the locality 

 have the right to. graze so many head of stock without charge. 



In Sir Thomas Acland's herds about eight to twelve mares 

 run with a s'allion, but this number is often exceeded in 

 other parts, and thirty mares are not too many. The stallions 

 are used for about eight years, and the mares are kept for 

 breeding up to twelve years. The foals are most!}' dropped in 

 the second and third weeks of May. 



About three-quarters of a century ago ponies were largely 

 used in this district for carrying packs, corn in pots, farm 

 produce, peat, &c. Their use now is more varied, as they are 

 valuable for foundation stock for breeding polo ponies. They 



