Mountain and moorland pony breeds Mountain and moorland pony breeds Mountain and moorland or M&M ponies form a group of several breeds of ponies and small horses native to the British Isles. Many of these breeds are derived from semi-feral ponies kept on moorland or heathland, and some of them still live in this way, as well as being kept as fully domesticated horses for riding, driving and other draught work, or for horse showing. Mountain and moorland classes at horse shows in the British Isles cover most of the breeds; however, the four closely related Welsh breeds often form their own classes. Traditionally the
Mountain and moorland pony breeds graze freely on lush forage may develop related health problems, including laminitis. The various types range from about to over . Shetlands are smaller, not to exceed . Shetlands are measured in inches. Some breeds, such as the Exmoor, are uniform in colour and pattern, but others permit a wide range of colours. However, the Shetland is the only M&M breed that can be skewbald or piebald, though even Shetlands cannot be "spotted." Several types of mountain and moorland ponies still live in a semi-feral state on unenclosed moorland or heathland. These areas are usually unfenced common land, on which