Our mares are kept as a semi feral heard on the open moorland for most of the year. They winter here in their natural environment, often being seen in the harshest of conditions with their backs into the wind grazing contentedly. Nearly all the foals are born on the moors, most of the mares when foaling stray away from the rest of the heard to find a well sheltered part of the moor so that the foal has a chance to get to its feet without the interference of inexperienced younger ponies. They return to the same place each year to carry out the birth. This makes the job of finding the new foals relatively easier. Finding them is achieved by using a trusted pair of binoculars and riding a good fell pony.

The mares are gathered together, brought home to Winterbutlee farm and selected to run with a stallion for 6-8 weeks before returning to the moor. This is the only time our mares are at home for any length of time. The rest of the time they live on the open moorland being brought in for routine worming, weaning foals, etc.. but are returned immediately.

Foundation Mares                                                                                     Homebred Mares