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The Dartmoor pony roams wild in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, in the United Kingdom. It is closely related to the Exmoor Pony. The Dartmoor has lived in southern Britain for centuries. It makes an excellent first pony for a child, and is used for a variety of disciplines. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. Over the centuries it has been used as a working animal by local tin miners and quarry workers. Despite this, numbers have declined - from an estimated 25,800 in the 1930s to perhaps 5,000 today. The Dartmoor is sturdily built, but refined for its small size. The small head has wide-set eyes and alert ears. Most are close-coupled, with strong hindquarters and loins. The Dartmoor has short legs with a medium amount of bone, and tough feet. They have a free shoulder, with flowing gaits. The ponies have a full mane and tail. The Dartmoor has a kind temperament, the ponies being reliable, gentle and calm. Under the breed standard, introduced in 1924, a Dartmoor pony should stand at no more than 12.2hh, with most between 11.1 and 12.2 hh, and should be bay, brown, black, grey chestnut or roan. Other colours do occur, usually as a result of interbreeding. |
