Like many fellow nature photographers, I am guilty of seeking out the planet’s exotic species in favour of wildlife closer to home. It’s a shame and a crime, especially when the majority of us are lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful subject matter, often right on our own doorsteps.

So, with restrictions on travel and social distancing rules in place I have been forced to rethink and re-evaluate what’s been the norm for many years and put right this injustice to British wildlife!

When in the UK, I base myself in the rolling hills of Somerset in the South West of the country where I am fortunate to be able to have reasonable access to Exmoor National Park which contains which contains several herds of fantastically charismatic wild ponies, so it was only right that they have become an ongoing project that I am extremely passionate about.

The 500 ponies are only ‘wild’ in the sense that the herds roam freely on the moor, but they all belong to someone. Even the National Trust own two of the 21 herds on Exmoor! They are alert, intelligent and kind in nature. That said, and like all equine, you have to respect their temperament and personality as the smallest thing out of the norm can have them running for the hills.

‘Solitude’ is the culmination of quite-a-bit of discovery work with Exmoor Ponies. Spending a lot of time in the field in their company to understand and identify various idiosyncrasies and recognising individual ponies that I could work more closely with.

This individual stood out because, not only is he striking against these tempestuous backdrops, but because he often chooses to remain separate from the herd. Not necessarily alone, he just seems to prefer his own company. And, rather than head down and feeding, his head is often high. He’s the perfect lookout. More curious than the others - he’s a thinker!

Exmoor ponies have inhabited the Exmoor moorland for many years, and they are one of the oldest native breeds in the United Kingdom. The first written record of Exmoor ponies appears in the Domesday Book in 1085. Source: Exmoor Pony Centre

Even though numbers have risen from near extinction in the early part of the twentieth century, the Exmoor Pony is currently listed as 'endangered' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

This image is for sale as part of the ‘Essence of Exmoor’ collection of limited and open edition, 100% carbon-neutral, museum-quality fine art prints.

100% Carbon Neutral Museum-Quality Standards: Each fine art piece of my wildlife collections adheres to the highest quality. Rest assured that while this may cost a little more, you are receiving the best attention to detail and the finest archival materials available.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@drewsproule.com with any questions you may have.

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