Different types of ponies on the moor
All ponies living on the commons of Dartmoor are owned by individual pony keepers, who have grazing rights on different commons. The ponies are identified by the farmers' brand on their coats and sometimes they have their tails cut in a particular pattern.
But have you seen a Dartmoor pony or a pony on Dartmoor?
Pedigree Dartmoor ponies
These are registered with the Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) and are recognised as a rare breed. They originate from the wild herds on Dartmoor and share the same ancestors as many of the Heritage herds still roaming the moor today. Dartmoor ponies should stand no more than 12.2 hands with a full flowing mane and tail. They are bay, brown, grey, chestnut or roan in colour. Piebalds and skewbalds are not allowed and excessive white markings are discouraged.
Dartmoor Heritage ponies
Many ponies born and bred on Dartmoor come from the indigenous herds, which have grazed there for generations. They are tough, robust and surefooted, thriving in harsh moorland conditions. When inspected and approved by a DPS judge as having good conformation and being ‘true to type’, they can be issued a Heritage Trust passport. A pedigree pony cannot be bred from a Heritage pony.
Shetlands and coloured hill ponies
Shetland ponies were bred initially in the Shetland Isles. They were introduced to Dartmoor and crossbred with the local ponies in the late 1700s to meet the demand for small, strong ponies to work in the mines. The piebald, skewbald and spotted ponies have been bred to meet more recent demand and they have been fetching good prices at market. They are not a breed in themselves but a type of pony and are not supported financially by DPHT as they are not under such a threat of extinction as the Heritage ponies.
