History:
The Dartmoor pony is one of nine breeds native to the British Isles. The area from which it originates is a rocky, barren, moorland called Dartmoor in Devon, England. The sparse grazing and bleak conditions of this moor ensure that only the toughest of its inhabitants survive.
Dartmoor ponies have roamed the moor for many centuries. One of the earliest recorded references to these ponies is in the will of a Saxon Bishop, Awifwold of Crediton, who died in 1012. During the reign of Henry I (1100-1135), when Dartmoor was a royal forest, a stallion was taken from the moor and was used for breeding with the royal mares. Many years ago, tin mining was an important industry in the Southwest of England. Many Dartmoors were used as pack ponies, carrying the tin from mines to the surrounding towns. When the mines closed, most of the ponies were turned loose to roam the moor, except for a few retained by local farmers for use on the farms.
At the start of the century, officials from the High Security Dartmoor Prison, situated in Princeton, a town in the middle of the moor, were raising good quality though unregistered ponies. Prison guards would use the ponies when escorting work parties to and from the prison. This continued until the 1960’s.
Visitors to Dartmoor may be surprised to find that many of the Moor ponies bear little resemblence to the true Dartmoor pony. The moor is, in fact, “common land” which offers grazing rights to anyone living in the area. There are no restrictions on what can be turned out on the moor. During the 1940’s, there was a demand for small pit ponies. Colored (pinto) ponies were popular in the 50’s and this trend became evident with the Moor ponies. Many of the resulting ponies are of poor quality and not hardy enough for the conditions of the Moor.
Preservation Efforts:
Since 1988, Positive steps have been undertaken to restore the more pure-type Dartmoor pony to the Moor. Typy mares belonging to Moor farmers have been run with a pedigree registered stallion on an enclosed part of the Moor for the summer. These mares are then returned to the open Moor until they foal. It is hoped that this will encourage the farmers to return to breeding the true purebred Dartmoor. The benefits will be twofold: To create a new genetic pool available to breeders; and to give the tourist a chance to see the true Dartmoor pony flourishing in its native environment.
Today, Dartmoor ponies are found all over Great Britain, and are also found in other European countries including France, Germany, and Sweden. They have also been exported to Australia, Canada, the U.S. and even to the Falkland Islands. Though the breed is making its way into several other countries, their numbers are low compared to other popular pony breeds. It is estimated that there are fewer that 5000 Dartmoor Ponies worldwide,with less than 200 purebred Dartmoors here in the U.S.
Uses of the Dartmoor Pony:
The Dartmoor pony is very much in demand as children’s ponies, a job to which they are well suited, not only because of their size, but also because of their wonderful temperament. The Dartmoor pony is very friendly and wants to be very much a part of the family. It is easy to train, learns quickly, and settles down easier than most of its cousins. The Dartmoor pony will happily settle into a variety of uses, making it a very good choice for families. It is not unusual for the same pony to patiently carry the toddler on the lead line, be used by the older child for 4-H or pony club activities, and then happily work in harness, taking parents for a Sunday drive.
Though first and foremost a child’s pony, many a small adult has found a Dartmoor pony to be a safe and reliable mount. The pony’s stride gives one the feeling of riding a much larger mount, making a more comfortable ride than one would have riding most other ponies.
As driving has become more popular in recent years, so has the use of the Dartmoor Pony in harness. Once again, its temperament makes it an excellent choice for the novice driver. It should be noted that the Dartmoor Pony can hold its own in competition, being very stylish in harness.
Whether you are a professional , a parent, or a child, you would be proud and delighted to own a Dartmoor Pony.
The information contained on this page is provided courtesy of the American Dartmoor Pony Association
Information Provided Courtesy of the American Dartmoor Pony Association
