Exmoor ponies arrive at Mill Hill in Shoreham to help restore precious chalk grassland
Released: Monday, 27 July 2026
We're delighted to welcome a herd of wonderful Exmoor ponies to Mill Hill.
Working in partnership with South Downs National Park Authority, we recently installed 800 metres of fencing at the local nature reserve to create a dedicated grazing area where livestock can help restore the special chalk grassland landscape.
Grazing is a slower, gentler approach to land management, using livestock rather than heavy machinery. It's better for wildlife and much kinder to the steep slopes at Mill Hill, helping to restore and maintain this precious habitat.
The ponies will tackle overgrowth and invasive species that have begun to dominate Mill Hill's chalk grassland - an internationally-important habitat that, when thriving, supports a diverse range of biodiversity.
Last autumn and winter, we welcomed 60 Herdwick sheep to the site. They quickly became a favourite with visitors while making a real difference to the landscape.
The new fencing creates a more permanent home for grazing animals, helping keep livestock, visitors and accompanying dogs safe, while allowing us to welcome larger herbivores that will further support our nature recovery work.
The Exmoor ponies have now settled in for the summer and will help manage the reserve through grazing before the Herdwick sheep return for the autumn, winter and early spring.
This project is a great example of the partnership working at the heart of our Vision for Nature, published last year, which sets out landscape-scale ambitions to protect and improve our area's natural environment. By working together, we're delivering long-term benefits for nature, wildlife and the communities that enjoy these special places.
A huge thank you to South Downs National Park Authority for its support in bringing the ponies to Mill Hill. If you're visiting the reserve, please enjoy watching them from a respectful distance, keeping dogs under close control.
Photos: Exmoor ponies at Mill Hill in Shoreham - arriving at their new home
Photos: Exmoor ponies at Mill Hill in Shoreham - installing the new fencing
(PR26-064)
Page last updated: 27 July 2026