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Dartmoor's ponies
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| The Dartmoor pony is thought to have originated from (now extinct) breeds of Devon & Cornwall. Through the centuries it proved itself to be a sturdy and trustworthy breed and was 'improved' by being bred for specific purposes with the introduction of such breeds as Welsh, Arab and Fell. This produced, for example, pit ponies and general purpose riding ponies. | |
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In 1924 a breed standard was introduced - 12.2hh bay, brown, black, grey chestnut or roan - to try to conserve the important characteristics of the pony.In the 1950s and 1960s, as the demand and use of the Dartmoor pony declined, indiscriminate breeding went unchecked. Nowadays it is quite usual to see coloured - skewbald and piebald - ponies. The inability of these new ponies to cope with the severe weather conditions that can affect Dartmoor contributed to the decline in numbers. In the 1930s it was estimated that there were some 25800 ponies, nowadays their number is perhaps nearer 5000. |
| The branded ponies on Dartmoor are owned, many by farmers, who endeavour to provide extra fodder if weather conditions are poor. It is illegal to feed Dartmoor's ponies. Many animals are injured every year, because as they no longer fear man and his motor vehicle, and despite the introduction of speed limits within the park boundary, they wander onto the open roads without caution. |  |
| In the autumn a round up takes place. The pregnant mares are returned to their herds to foal in the following April. The fillies and colts are sold in September at local fairs. Unfortunately many are still exported to Europe for food, where they are not regarded with the same affection as in Britain. Others escape export, when well-meaning people, wishing to give them a new home, or to save them from the meat market buy them. Sadly, and all too often there are no fairy tale endings. |
| In 1988 the Dartmoor Pony Moorland Scheme (DPMS) was established to improve the breed, ensure a better, hardier quality pony and to halt the decline in numbers. The Dartmoor pony was even granted Rare Breed status. Although ponies will hopefully always frequent the moor, the Dartmoor pony is still in danger of dwindling. The Dartmoor Pony Society, along with the DPMS, has successfully set up and continues to run a breeding scheme, whose environment the Dartmoor National Park safeguards.Click to link to the Dartmoor National Park website and find out more information on Dartmoor and it's ponies. |
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