Dartmoor Pony

Intro

Ponies have been a part of the British landscape for over 10,000 years and their remains have been found all over the country. The United kingdom is a tiny land of surprisingly diverse, but very old pony breeds.

Origins

The first Dartmoor reference appeared in 1012 and much later this pony was instrumental to tin mines which used them to transporting product. Once they had outlived their usefulness farmers took some of them, but most of them were set free.

In 1898 the National Pony Registry set up local committees in order to produce descriptions of all of the native breeds. Other than height, that description still fits the Dartmoor as we know it today. Unfortunately, both of the World Wars took their toll on the breed and their numbers dwindled.

These animals are still bred on the Moors like they have always been and dealing with harsh climate conditions has created a rugged and surefooted animal. Today, according to the DAD-IS this breed is at risk and as of 2021 there were 165 of them left.

Features

Average height 11.2 – 12.2 hands

Physique

Head is small with a broad forehead
Ears are small and alert
Neck is average in length and strong but not heavy
Shoulders are well sloped
Back is medium in length
Hindquarters are well-muscled
Tall is full and high set
Legs have are dense and flat
Hooves are tough and well-shaped