EXMOOR ponies have galloped to the rescue of a pandemic-hit organisation which looks after them by producing a product described by keen gardeners as ‘black gold’ – the ponies’ very own compost.

It has proved so popular, Exmoor National Park Authority has now awarded a £2,500 grant to the not-for-profit Exmoor Pony Project, to help produce the sought-after Exmoor Compost, after Covid-19 restrictions obliterated normal income streams.

The project’s founders, Nick and Dawn Westcott, who farm on the National Trust Holnicote Estate in Porlock Vale, saw their 2020 plans for pony workshops, talks, events and activities dashed with the lockdown in March.

Because the conservation organisation is not a business, it also meant Dawn, a self-employed author channelling income to run the Exmoor Pony Project, was not eligible for government Covid-19 grant support.

With more than 30 Exmoor ponies, including orphans, from various moorland herds in their direct care, the cost of managing and maintaining them without normal funds ‘put immense pressure on the farm,’ said Dawn.

Caring for a large herd of Exmoor ponies also produces a sizeable amount of manure, which the Westcotts discovered had slowly matured into excellent compost. 

They tried it on a kitchen garden they established earlier this year, found it was ‘superb stuff’ and, after hearing there was a shortage of good compost in the area, offered some bags of Exmoor Pony Multi-Purpose Compost as a fundraiser.

“We hoped local gardeners would give it a try, and soon found ourselves delivering bags across the area from North Devon to the Quantock Hills,” said Dawn.

Since June, more than 1,000 bags of the compost have been sold and the Westcotts are hopeful their new venture will develop, to help maintain the Exmoor Pony Project for the long term. 

“We have had great feedback, significant repeat orders, and keen gardeners describe it as ‘black gold’. It’s rather lovely that the ponies themselves are providing the means to contribute to their own care,” Dawn said.

“This year is all about survival and these ponies are certainly survivors – many of them would not be here without this project. They’re already benefiting from the compost sales and we’ve been able to buy a paddock sweeper to keep their grazing areas clean – as well as to more efficiently collect manure for future compost.” 

The couple have sourced and even built some of what was needed but vital equipment remains to be purchased. This includes a bag sealer and compost turner. At the moment the Westcotts are still bagging, writing out and tying the bags by hand.

“The grant is a great help at a critical time, we are very fortunate,” said Dawn.

Dan James, sustainable economy manager at Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “We initially gave a grant to the project from our Covid-19 Response Fund and have now awarded this Partnership Fund grant in a bid to sustain the  Exmoor Pony Project into the longer term.

“Our Partnership Fund this year is prioritising applications from not-for-profit groups for project ideas that can help to look after the National Park, engage people with its special qualities and help with the area’s recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. We wish the Exmoor Pony Project and Exmoor Compost scheme well in the future.”