Mountain and moorland pony breeds modern mountain and moorland ponies have been regarded as including nine breeds (the four Welsh types being counted as one). However, in recent decades at least two further types have been recognised: the Eriskay and the Kerry bog pony. Larger native British Isles horses (such as the various large draught breeds) are not regarded as belonging to the mountain and moorland group. Mountain and moorland ponies are generally stocky in build, with flowing mane and tail. They are very hardy and are "good doers", needing relatively little food to live on. They are prone to obesity and if allowed to
Animal genetic resources for food and agriculture sustainability of a breed and therefore to the potential for successful conservation activities." The Pantaneiro cattle of Brazil are only one example of many at risk of extinction. Despite the importance of animal genetic resources, their diversity has been continually decreasing over time. "Factors as causes of genetic erosion: One of the greatest threats to livestock diversity is pressure from large-scale commercial production systems to maintain only high-output breeds. Recent molecular studies have revealed that the diversity of today's indigenous livestock populations greatly exceeds that found in their commercial counterparts. Climate change and its impact on livestock is being studied.