The Beginning – 2001

Ponies are an integral part of the moorland landscape and, having been there for 6,000 years, part of its cultural heritage. The Dartmoor National Park Authority logo is the Dartmoor Pony precisely because it is a major part of Dartmoor’s unique character and is a significant visitor attraction.

The Dartmoor Pony Society was concerned that the native Dartmoor (unregistered Dartmoor pony) might disappear due to market forces.

The Dartmoor Pony Society, whose primary interest is in the improvement of the pedigree Dartmoor Pony, was alarmed that the number of native ponies had dropped to a critical level.

The native pony is in effect the gene pool for the breed. Once the native pony is lost from Dartmoor – its original habitat – it must then be considered extinct.

The pedigree pony relies on new blood coming in from the native pony to ensure that the pedigree does not become more and more inbred.

September 2004 - Funding to preserve the gene pool.

The Dartmoor Pony Preservation Scheme (DPPS) aims to support as many of the existing native Dartmoor Pony herds on the Commons, to ensure that the number of native Dartmoor ponies does not fall any further. At present 25 herds are supported by a grant from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund.

Herd numbers will continue to fall if we do not find a long term solution. Increasing the value of the annual foal crop is the only sustainable route forward. Traditional pony keepers have been hit hard with changes in legislation; managing feral / semi wild ponies has become a time consuming and financially draining occupation. 

The DPHT has embarked on a proactive campaign to increase the value and the way in which our Heritage ponies are valued for their contribution to tourism and conservation grazing of Dartmoor. The trust runs a Foster Foal Scheme (foal walking), foal walkers take one, two or three foals for the winter months and allow them to mature. The foals are handled and then returned late spring, the colts are gelded, thus adding approximately £200 to each colt. This ensures these ponies will have a long and fruitful life as riding, driving and companion ponies or as conservation grazers.

Producing good quality stock and handling the ponies has seen an increase in demand and improved prices.

The DPHT has secured three further years funding from theDartmoor Sustainable Development Fund  to continue this work. We will now handle a minimum of 150 ponies per year, castrate 50 colts not required for breeding and continue the marketing strategy of Dartmoor Heritage ponies.

April 2005 – Creation of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) is the charitable arm of this scheme, became a registered charity in April 2005. 12 months later sufficient funds had been raised to create a visitor centre at Brimpts Farm where you can see the Dartmoor ponies and learn more about thier history, and more importantly, their future, free of charge. This award winning biodiversity farm already receives 25,000 visitors per year with bookings from 40 schools.

The DPHT runs an adoption scheme to help raise funds for the Dartmoor Pony Preservation Scheme and its education programme. We are currently raising funds to build an equine assisted learning unit, Dartmoor ponies will be used in a range of projects.

The Future - Education Programme – Dartmoor Pack Ponies and 1,000 acres of Dartmoor grazing

The remaining Dartmoor Ponies are at a critical level (less than 400); our programme runs alongside our pony breeding programme to give young people, a unique opportunity to experience their Dartmoor heritage .

In medieval times the pack-pony provided the common method of transporting goods across Dartmoor. Our programme aims to take a modern slant on this by producing Dartmoor pack-ponies trained to work with a wide range of clients - schools, special needs students, youth offenders and visitors to Dartmoor - all of whom will benefit from our guided walks and expeditions..

We, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, together with the Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon Discovery (Devon County Council – outdoor education service) have formed a partnership to create this innovative educational facility which provides a unique access to the heritage of Dartmoor. Later this year, we will be working with a range of young people to teach them how to tame and handle wild stock. This is an exciting an innovative new programme which promises to break new ground in horsemanship and life skills.

The DPHT has taken over the grazing rights for a 1,000 acre site at Bellever on Dartmoor. The site has provided us with many opportunities with our education programme and Preservation Scheme. We now have a secure site next to our existing centre where we can  grow ponies on to an age where they can be sold for riding or as a safety net  for vulnerable herds which may be otherwise lost. The site has full public access, we encourage you to take a walk around this 'Jewel in Dartmoor's Crown' and see a real Dartmoor Pony!