A herd of ponies on Exmoor is being gathered as part of an annual inspection.

Tippbarlake Exmoor Pony Herd has about 100 ponies, which are being gathered in Brendon Barton on Sunday.

Kristina Auckland, who looks after the herd with her family, said gathering ponies on Exmoor was a tradition that had been going on for generations.

She said members of the public were able to watch at Scobhill Gate from 10:00 for free but would be asked to donate to the Devon Air Ambulance.

Auckland said the ponies lived freely on Brendan Common and “we try and manage them from afar all year round”.

“Once a year we will gather them in to have a bit of a closer inspection and make sure that they’re all healthy and their welfare needs are met,” she added.

The numbers of people watching the gathering had “steadily increased” over the last few years, which Auckland attributed to the rise of social media.

She added there were also many local families who came to watch yearly.

Auckland said they had chosen to collect donations for Devon Air Ambulance this year because it was “absolutely crucial” for people in rural communities.

“We’re completely reliant on the air ambulance being able to help us, whether you’re a farmer, a local resident, or someone visiting,” she said.

She added: “Whatever anyone’s able to donate, as as little or as much as possible is amazing.”

Auckland said she wanted to “raise awareness of the breed and the role the ponies play in managing the common itself and what they can contribute to conservation projects around the country,” she said.

“They are born to eat … and they’re really good at eating certain types of grasses and sort of managing habitats.”

She added: “They’re a really important part of Exmoor’s heritage and we’re so lucky to have many herds still living freely on the moor.

“We want people to understand their value and the role they play, and we want them to be here for generations to come.”

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