Watch out for ponies on the sands at Penhale

4:58pm Friday 16th May 2008

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From this week, walkers out on the sand dunes at Penhale Sands Special Area of Conservation' may come across two very handsome Exmoor ponies, who are helping with the ongoing management of the site.

For the last month they have been grazing an area on the Ministry of Defence owned area at Penhale, but have now made a public appearance on the area owned by Bourne Leisure, which is open for access.

Sarah Taylor, Countryside Officer explains, "They are grazing an area which has been grazed for the previous four winters, using groups of Shetland ponies which were borrowed from Natural England on the Lizard Peninsula. This year however, the Shetlands are concentrating their efforts on Ligger Headland, owned by the MOD, overlooking Perranporth Beach, and their place on the Bourne Leisure area has been taken by the Exmoor ponies which have been borrowed from Cornwall Wildlife Trust."

For the first three winters this area, on the inland edge of the dunes near Rose, was within a permanently fenced area, which was increased slightly last year using electric fencing. This year a similar area will be grazed, partly surrounded by permanent fencing and partly by electric fencing. Walkers and dog walkers are still welcome to use the site and this grazing will not affect access along the right of way which crosses the dunes to St Piran's Church & Oratory. Some of the minor tracks however will be crossed by the electric fencing and people are asked to use alternative tracks around the edge of the compartment, also to remember to take care with dogs & children near the electric fencing.

Sarah adds: "Whilst the ponies are fairly friendly, we ask that people do not feed them as they may bite and to keep dogs under control in adjacent areas. The ponies, their water and condition of the area are checked daily by the Penhale Sands Countryside Officer or other Cornwall County Council staff."

If you have any queries of concerns about the ponies, or other management work at Penhale, please contact CCC Living Environment Service on 01872 322642 or the Countryside Officer on 07968 516755.