'Cruel' branding of Exmoor ponies must end

[Still Waters]

The 'cruel' branding of Exmoor ponies should be banned under new European rules to microchip the wild creatures instead, animal rights activists have claimed.

The oldest and most primitive of Britain's ponies are branded with hot irons as foals in order to identify the semi-feral livestock and prevent them being stolen.

However from this year all horses and ponies have to be fitted with microchips under new EU rules.

Animal rights organisations say the "cruel" practice of branding must now end. But farmers and breeders say branding in still a necessary part of ensuring the purity and health of the breed.

There are around 400 Exmoor ponies running wild in Britain. The ponies, that are owned by different farmers, are rounded up once a year and new foals are branded.

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[Fluffybunny]

Chips can be removed though...brands cannot.