Nick Beynon, whose family has grazed ponies on the cliffs above Rhossili beach on the Gower Peninsula for over a century, has been compelled to remove his herd following persistent pressure from the National Trust Cymru. Beynon stated that the organization had made his life "hell" over the past 18 months, questioning his family's rights to keep the animals on the land.
The National Trust had raised concerns that the number of Gypsy Cob ponies exceeded an "agreed limit" under ancient grazing rights and cited a potential health and safety risk, including an instance where a stallion reportedly escaped. Beynon, 62, asserted that his family has farmed the land for generations and insisted his animals were well-cared for, being checked multiple times daily.
Despite efforts to resolve the issue, Beynon felt he had no option but to remove the horses entirely. "National Trust haven't given us any support at all," he said in a Facebook video, adding that the situation had spoiled the sight of the foals playing in the evenings for visitors.
A spokesperson for the National Trust Cymru clarified that they had not ordered the removal of the horses but had requested a reduction in herd size, believing it exceeded the agreed limit. The organization stated its priorities are visitor safety, animal welfare, and the ecological health of Rhossili. They acknowledged the horses' significance to visitors and noted that the farmer holds traditional grazing rights and is responsible for their care. The spokesperson added that if the owner has chosen to remove all the horses, that decision is his alone.