Dartmoor Heritage Pony
A Dartmoor Heritage Pony is a true to type Dartmoor Pedigree Pony, as defined by the Dartmoor Pony Society, that is not registered. They do not exceed 127cm (12.2hh). They can be bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, roan. They are not piebald, skewbald nor spotted. They are of medium length and strong, well ribbed up with a a good depth of girth giving plenty of heart room. As with the pedigree Dartmoor Pony, they are a very good looking riding pony, sturdily built yet with quality. The mane and tail should be full and flowing. Their ears are small and alert and the eyes fairly large giving the pony a kindly interested expression.
The Dartmoor Heritage Ponies originate from the moor’s ancient herds. They are tough, surefooted and they thrive in harsh moorland conditions.
The ponies are a vital part of the Eco-system in tackling the current environmental challenges that are evident on Dartmoor. Their grazing style and behavior ensures that the bio-diversity which is under threat is not lost to future generations.
Over the past seventy years the herds have reduced significantly and continue to be at risk. The DPHT’s role is to secure their future for all of us and the future generations. If we do not act now, the next generation may never know Dartmoor’s Heritage Ponies. The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust volunteers are working hard to win support to help maintain and create more heritage pony herds on Dartmoor. Only then will Dartmoor’s heritage pony be safe within its context and landscape, treasured as essential to the natural environment it depends on and contributes so much to.