Wild Ponies Galore You will find the famous and very beautiful Dartmoor ponies living wild in herds all over Dartmoor, and one of the most enchanting sights imaginable in summer is a group of mares with their tiny foals tottering along beside them! There are all sorts of ponies living free in natural herds on the moor, from pedigree ponies registered with the Dartmoor Pony Society to the tiny fluffy Shetlands and hill ponies that come in every colour including black & white and brown & white. Ponies have been recorded as living on Dartmoor since the Middle Ages. Archaeological investigation in the 1970’s has shown that domesticated ponies were found on Dartmoor as early as 1500 BC. The first written record dates back as far as AD 1012, and refers to wild horses in Ashburton on the southern edge of Dartmoor. Hoof-prints discovered during an archaeological dig were found to be 3,500 years old! The superb metabolism of the ponies allows them to prosper in the harsh and inhospitable conditions they have to contend with Photos ©Malcolm Snelgrove Photography during the winter months. Blessed with an exceptional temperament, their potential as children’s ponies and their ability to make wonderful companions, driving ponies and conservation grazers makes them the perfect choice for so many. The pedigree Dartmoor Pony is sadly now an endangered breed, but fortunately this native home of theirs has several breeding farms where this beautiful and iconic pony is still bred and raised on the commons of Dartmoor. Many of the valuable bloodlines go back generations, and the instinctive knowledge of where to find the best grass, fresh water and good shelter is passed down through the ages, A lot of superb work is being done to preserve this rare-breed native pony and ensure its future on the moor. The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust has a custom built centre on the National Trust estate at Parke, Bovey
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©Kathy Tipping
