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Exmoor Horn
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Exmoor Horn |
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Local Name |
Exmoor Horn |
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Location |
Exmoor and Dartmoor |
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Breeding females
(year) |
7,899 |
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Trend of population size |
decrease |
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Flock book established |
1906 |
Origin – history
The Exmoor
Horn is an ancient native sheep found in upland areas of the South
West of England, particularly Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Breed description
The Exmoor Horn is
white with large curling horns on both rams and ewes, a white face
with close forelock and black nostrils, with has sound feet and legs
giving very little foot trouble.
It is a very hardy breed and is classified as a true hill breed,
thriving on grass at any level up to 1,500ft and is correctly
described as a dual-purpose upland sheep.
It produces a fine quality white fleece of medium length with a
valuable felting property.
It is an excellent grass sheep with long lasting teeth and a quiet
temperament
The ewes are excellent mothers and very good milkers, producing
quality upland lamb. The draft ewes are very good for crossing
producing half-bred ewes which are used by lowland sheep farmers as
prolific ewes producing prime lamb for the modern meat market.
The Blueface Leicester sire produces the Exmoor Mule and these mules
are considered to be among the finest in the United Kingdom. The
Exmoor Horn can also be mated to the Border Leicester with great
success giving a good sized animal.
The breed is used for the production of meat and wool with Exmoor
mutton being regarded as a delicacy. The ewes weigh approximately 50
Kg and the rams, 73Kg. The flock book was established
in 1906.
Conservation activities
Insitu
With the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund, the
breed society is aiming to promote the Exmoor Horn Sheep in their
native habitat and reduce the influx of non-native breeds by raising
the profile of the breed, both as landscape managers and as lamb,
mutton and wool producers.
Ex situ
Cryopreservation of semen, NSP storage. 2302 doses.
Contact:
The breed
society is the Exmoor Horn Sheep Breeders Society.
Sec. Ms Gina Rawle, Kitridge Farm, Withypool, Minehead,
Somerset, TA24 7RY.
Web site
www.exmoorhornbreeders.co.uk
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