Native pony breeds have evolved for harsh conditions but face welfare problems in modern management that provides too much nutrition and too little movement.
The hardiness of native ponies is a survival adaptation to nutritional scarcity, not a welfare advantage in lush UK pasture. Rich grass causes obesity, metabolic disease, and laminitis in breeds designed for tough conditions. The paradox of wellbeing harming rather than helping is difficult for owners to accept and requires active management through restricted grazing and appropriate exercise.