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Exmoor Pony Society
Information for first time breeders
This short guide explains the inspection procedure and how inspectors are selected. All pure bred Exmoor foals must be inspected by two EPS foal inspectors before they are eligible for entry into the Stud Book.
Inspectors
EPS inspectors must first pass a stringent assessment as to their suitability before being invited on to the Society's three year probationers' scheme. During that time they must attend three inspections each year, one of which must be a Moorland inspection. At each one they are assessed by a senior panel inspector and a written report is made each time. This ensures that only the most knowledgable and competent people qualify as foal inspectors.
Inspections have traditionally been a sociable time, when new aquaintainces and friendships are forged and new breeders are welcomed. Most inspectors expect to put on weight in the Autumn, thanks to the generous hospitality which has so long been a feature of EPS foal inspections!
The following advice will help to ensure that your inspection runs smoothly
" Inform the EPS Secretary of the birth of your foal as soon as possible, preferably using the tear off slip on your covering certificate. This makes planning inspections easier for the Society.
" All foals must now be microchipped by a qualified Veterinary Surgeon. This is a legal requirement. Unless specifically agreed by the Secretary the microchip must be inserted prior to the foal inspection and the relevant paperwork, which is available from the Secretary, completed by the veterinary surgeon, including the silhouette.
" You need to decide well in advance of the Autumn inspection whether you are going to have your foal branded, except in Scotland and some other countries where branding isn't allowed. If you are having your foal branded the Secretary will issue a Herd Number and the veterinary surgeon does not need to complete the silhouette document apart from the microchip number and its position. You can purchase your own herd number branding iron. This needs to be made up, well in advance, by the Society's blacksmith. Please contact the Secretary for details.
" Make sure you have a secure area with a strong tying up point, preferably at foal head height, for restraining the foal while it is inspected, especially if it is unhandled and/or going to be branded.
" You will need two strong competent handlers as even well handled foals will sometimes object to strangers examining them closely.
" The inspectors will look at the foal to ensure that it has markings according to the breed standard and no serious conformation defects. They will check its jaw conformation closely and examine its mane and tail for groups of white hairs. Most foals have pale "foal" hairs around the outside of the tail. These are not a problem. They will also make sure it has no white markings on its head, body or legs and will look for white marks on the soles of the feet.
" If the foal passes inspection, it will be branded if you have so chosen, entered into the main body of the stud book and issued with a passport. If it does not pass its inspection it will be entered into Section X of the Studbook and cannot be used for breeding fully registered Exmoor ponies. At the discretion of the inspectors the foal may be re inspected the following spring or autumn.