School visits

We keep six Dartmoor ponies at our visitor centre. We use them to work with school groups. Our Pony Power sessions help students to understand the importance of their environment and how ponies have helped create and maintain the Dartmoor landscape. Participants are given a hands-on opportunity to groom the ponies and lead them around the Parke Estate. The session has a particular emphasis on National Park values and Moor Care. 

Pony Power

Pony Power is a half-day pony experience. 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. Every student will have the chance to work with and lead a Dartmoor Pony. 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 is a group activity and the second requires students 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 practising 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 -National Trust Parke Estate – walking with ponies. A one hour walk split into three sections. History of Parke Estate. Local flora and fauna: Bluebells, Roe Deer, Badgers, Buzzards, Ravens and Foxes. Geography - walk to the river. 

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY - As we leave the weir we ask the students to stop, and take a couple of minutes to enjoy the noise of the wood and river, paint pictures in their heads of how they think previous generations would have used the area, could they think of a way of creating a use for the river now - the aim is for a pupil to suggest water powered electricity. 

PSHE - How can students help preserve our heritage, do’s and don’ts with ponies on the moor. 

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY Visit Haytor - moorland landscape, ponies - put do's and don'ts into practice.

We can also organize FREE guided walks around our conservation site at Bellever on the high moor. Learn about the ponies and their environment.

We also create tailor-made courses to suit pupils with special needs and challenging behaviour.

Just give us a call on 01626 355314 or email Dru Butterfield to find out more!