Native Welsh ponies as socio-ecological partners: Stakeholder perspectives on landscape management in Wales

Economic pressures to graze more profitable livestock have reduced Wales’ native semi-feral pony population from around 10 000 to just 700 by 2024. Historically vital to Welsh landscapes, these ponies contribute to socio-ecosystem services—supporting biodiversity, grazing, flood regulation, and cultural traditions such as local horse shows. Despite their value, stakeholder views on their role in integrated landscape management remain underexplored. This study investigated stakeholder perceptions of the benefits and challenges of working with these ponies. Most respondents recognised their value in controlling scrub, maintaining grazing land, and enhancing biodiversity. However, less were aware of their role in soil preservation and reducing ecological risks linked to unmanaged bracken, such as fire hazards and tick spread. Findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the ponies’ full ecological contributions to inform effective conservation strategies and promote their integration into sustainable land management practices.