Wild Equus®

Wild Equus® – Conservation Grazing with Horses and Ponies

Partnering with Science. Powered by Nature. Inspired by the Wild.

Wild Equus® is the name I’ve given to my long-term personal project exploring how wild and semi-wild horses and ponies shape our landscapes through natural grazing. As part of my work as an equine and environmental photographer, I’m partnering directly with scientists, ecologists, and land managers to document the role of equines in biodiversity restoration, fire risk mitigation, and the regeneration of natural habitats.

This project brings together photography, field observation, and science-led insight—rooted in Dartmoor, but with an expanding reach across Europe and beyond.

Why Horses and Ponies?

Equines have grazed and shaped our landscapes for millennia. Their:

  • Selective grazing and trampling reduce dominant grass species like Molinia caerulea, breaking up monocultures

  • Hoof action creates bare ground where native species such as Calluna vulgaris (heather) can germinate

  • Movement and manure support invertebrate life, enriching food webs and soil structure

  • Roaming behaviour promotes structural diversity and supports dynamic habitats

Unlike heavier livestock, equines move light and low, making them ideal for terrain-sensitive or conservation-priority areas.

Current Work on Dartmoor

So far, I’ve been working closely with:

  • The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, who are pioneering the use of native ponies for conservation grazing

  • Researchers at the University of Plymouth, who have published peer-reviewed studies showing how pony grazing reduces Molinia dominance and encourages heather regeneration

Through my lens, I’ve been documenting these ponies at work in the landscape—capturing the ecological impact of their movement, foraging, and quiet persistence through the seasons.

Expanding the Vision

Wild Equus® is just beginning. Over the next few years, I’ll be expanding the project through fieldwork and photography across Europe, visiting and documenting:

  • Rewilding projects in Portugal’s Côa Valley, where Sorraia horses are helping reduce wildfire risk and reshape the vegetation mosaic

  • Conservation pony herds in Exmoor, France, and Spain, where native breeds are being reintroduced to support biodiversity and open up landscapes

  • Other sites where wild or semi-feral horses play an ecological role, with a view to building a photographic archive and shared scientific narrative

I’m actively looking to connect with researchers, rewilding teams, and conservation organisations who would welcome photographic documentation of their equine-led land management work.

What I Offer

Through Wild Equus®, I bring:

  • High-impact photography that captures the wild spirit and ecological value of free-roaming equines

  • Collaborative storytelling, grounded in field visits and scientific evidence

  • Experience working respectfully in natural habitats, observing and recording animals without disturbance

  • Visual assets and insight for research teams, conservation NGOs, landowners, and educational projects

Whether it’s to support a scientific paper, a funding application, or public engagement, I aim to shine a light on the overlooked role of horses in ecosystem restoration.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re involved in equine-based conservation, research, or rewilding, I’d love to hear from you. I’m especially interested in projects where semi-wild horses are part of the land management story—whether for biodiversity, fire control, or soil restoration.

Wild Equus® is a personal project by Malcolm Snelgrove – equine photographer and advocate for the ecological value of horses and ponies in the wild.

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