Pony Power is a course run in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority Education Service and Devon Discovery ( A Devon County Council outdoor education provider). The sessions are aimed at primary schools, but can be easily adapted for an older or younger audience.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO BUILD SELF CONFIDENCE, INDIVIDUAL SKILLS AND TO WORK AS A TEAM.

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust has created an innovative educational facility which provides a unique access to the heritage of Dartmoor.

Working with Dartmoor Ponies

Every student will have the chance to work and lead a Dartmoor Pack Pony along the Brimpts Tin Mine Trail. The session helps students understand more about their local cultural heritage and the importance of our environment with an emphasis on the Dartmoor National Park.

PSHE - The session starts with a light background to ponies on Dartmoor followed by two team building exercises, the first a group activity, the second, students are asked to work in pairs. Students are shown how to approach, catch, and groom their ponies. Before the walk teams will be picked based on confidence around the ponies, students lacking in confidence will be teamed with our quietest ponies.

Course Breakdown

• Welcome – health and safety talk – toilet break
• Background to the session
• LISTENING SKILLS & PSHE - Team building game
• Group split into pairs, preferably not close friends.
• Students take part in a practical session learning how to lead a pony, by practicing on one another (invite the pony to walk with you rather than dragging – technique based on pressure and release)
• Students shown how to catch and groom their pony, practical session follows.
• Teams picked based on confidence
• GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY -Tine Mine Trail – walking with ponies. A one hour walk split into three sections. First 15 mins – history of Tin Mining on Dartmoor, with emphasis on archaeological remains. Local flora and fauna: Bluebells, Roe Deer, Badgers, Buzzards, Ravens and Foxes.
• DESIGN TECHNOLOGY - As we leave the Bluebell wood we ask the students to stop, and take a couple of minutes to enjoy the noise of the wood, paint pictures in their heads of how they think the tin miners would have looked, could they have created a better system to drive the Water Wheel.
• 30 minute session - every student has the opportunity to lead a pony.
• HISTORY - As we leave the main track and head back for the farm we stop and take in the view of Yar Tor, we discuss the signs of a Bronze Age existence.
• 10 minute walk back to the farm across farmland, further opportunity for leading and a change of landscape.
• Back at farm, take ponies back to field.
• PSHE - How can students help preserve our heritage, do’s and don’ts with ponies on the moor.

For further information please contact Dru Butterfield Charity Manager on 01626 355314 or send an email.