One of the primary aims of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is to "make the indigenous Dartmoor Pony more valued". The word value has several meanings; we want the ponies to be valued for their precious bloodlines, conservation grazing and their value to tourism and our heritage.

However, we also need to increase their financial value. One of the most effective methods for improving their value is to handle and mature ponies to a more valuable age. This work also ensures ponies in the Foster Scheme are given the best possible start to a long and useful life.

Guide Dogs for the Blind have successfully used puppy walkers to take on potential guide dogs in their first year. Our foster scheme works in a similar way. We have a continual supply of young stock requiring experienced equine homes from just weaned foals to gelded yearlings. Dartmoor foals are usually weaned at six months, following the pony drifts in early October.

Walking a foal is not a simple task and requires a certain amount of experience, plus land and buildings. Full training is given to all new foster homes.

If you are interested in helping with our scheme, please cut and paste the form below into Word or similar, or into an email, complete it and email it to dru @ dpht.co.uk, or post it to Dru Butterfield c/o DPHT – PO Box 397, Newton Abbot, Devon. TQ12 9AT

Walking a Dartmoor Pony Foal

Name.......................................

Address......................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

Telephone.................................................

Email............................................................................................................

1. How much equine experience do you have.................................Years.

2. What is the extent of your land and buildings................................................

3. Who is your vet...........................................................................................

4. Do you own any equines................................................................................

5. Do you have any experience of youngstock.......................................................

6.Do you currently hold equine Third Party Liability Insurance...................................