ELEVEN Exmoor ponies made a three-day journey from the heart of Exmoor to the Podyji National Park in the Czech Republic.

It was the third consignment of the native rare breed Exmoor pony sent to the conservation project run by Ceska-krajina, funded by European Wildlife.

In 2015, the first group was taken by the project and the ponies have proved to be extremely effective at grazing alongside the wild European bison, controlling the vegetation and adapting to the Czech climate.

The work of the ponies so impressed that a further two groups have been sent to graze additional areas.

Ponies in the most recent group were specially selected earlier this year and went through thorough health checks before their departure.

Sue McGeever, secretary of the Exmoor Pony Society said: “Getting all of the ponies together from all over the country ready to travel to their new continental home was a huge undertaking.

“We couldn’t have done it without the volunteer time of so many people. It has been a real team effort – all worth it when you see the wonderful new lifestyle the ponies will have.”