The task of maintaining 60 acres of land to enhance biodiversity may sound a daunting prospect. But for Adam and Louise Bourns, the solution to their conservation quandary in Llanwrda has actually come from one of Britain’s endangered native species.

The couple moved to the Carmarthenshire village in 2013 and took on the expanse of land at Llwynbwch, which had once been intensively farmed. They wanted to rewild the land and maximise its wildlife, without allowing the mixture of woodland, meadow and wetland to become overgrown and unmanageable.

They enlisted the help of Sue Burger, a village resident who happened to be a trustee of the Exmoor Pony Society. With the support of Society area reps Dai and Ruth Thomas four pure-bred Exmoor mares have now made the Bourns’ land their home.

“Our aim for the land is to increase biodiversity in line with the ethics of our Under Starry Skies eco-business,” said Adam, who believes the ponies will not only do a great job but appeal to their guests who mainly come to experience the remote and wild setting of their property. The land is on the edge of the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve.

Adam added: “The Exmoor ponies are a great asset, fit so well in the landscape and warm our hearts. They are doing a wonderful job foraging many different vegetation types and supporting the ecosystem.”

Sue Burger said: “The mares have taken very happily to their new roles and have worked their Exmoor magic on the family. The land here will probably require up to 10 hungry ponies, but we’ll tread one hoof at a time.

“It certainly looks like there will be Exmoor ponies at Under Starry Skies for the foreseeable future.”

The Bourns recently welcomed Coedywern Gyspy Moth and Coedywern Rosemary, followed by Coedywern Sienna and Coedywern Ursula, which are registered in the Exmoor pony studbook.