Wild and semi-wild ponies on moorland and heathland act as conservation grazers while facing welfare challenges from harsh conditions and variable population management quality.
Semi-wild pony welfare depends on the quality of annual management including health checks, farriery, and supplementary feeding during food scarcity. The welfare of animals sold from round-ups depends on buyer knowledge and resources. Conservation grazing provides ecological justification for semi-wild pony keeping, but individual animal welfare must not be sacrificed for conservation convenience. Monitoring sold animals and maintaining buyer welfare standards are ongoing challenges.