Dartmoor pony: Difference between revisions

Dartmoor Pony
Country of origin	England
Traits
Distinguishing features	Small but strong, many colours, hardy
	Equus ferus caballus;

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The Dartmoor Pony is a breed of pony that lives in Devon, England. The breed has been in England for centuries and is used in a variety of roles. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor Pony 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. It is kept in a semiferal state on Dartmoor.

Despite this, numbers living on the open moor have declined from an estimated 5,000 in 1900 to about 300 registered ponies today.^[when?] Only around 800 ponies were known to be grazing the moor in the spring of 2004.

Breed characteristics

The Dartmoor Pony has a small, neat head, large, wide-set eyes, and alert ears. It has a well-compact body that is strong, with a broad, deep rib cage, of medium length. The legs are strong, long from body to knee and hock, but with short cannons with strong, dense bone, and a flat-fronted knee; the fore leg rises to a shoulder that is well-angled and with good freedom of movement, and the hind leg rises to a quarter that is well-muscled and rounded in appearance, rather than flat or sloping. The mane and tail are full and flowing, and the pony's movement is free and smooth. It has a kind temperament, being reliable, gentle, and calm. Most Dartmoors stand between 11.1 and 12.2 hands (45 and 50 inches, 114 and 127 cm); a pony should stand at no more than 13 hands under the breed standard, introduced in 1924. Recognised colours include bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, or roan.^[1]

Piebald and skewbald colouring is not permitted within the Dartmoor Pony breed. Ponies with this colouring, seen running on Dartmoor, are likely to be Dartmoor Hill Ponies, as Dartmoor commoners may graze any type of pony out on the moors.^[2] The Dartmoor Hill Pony is classified as a pony born on Dartmoor, but not a purebred registered Dartmoor Pony. It is not a true breed as such, as the registry for Dartmoor Hill Ponies is open only to those born on the moors, so a pony born of two Dartmoor Hill ponies, but not born on the moors, could not be registered with the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association.^[3]

Although Exmoor Ponies live fairly close geographically and their markings are somewhat similar, evidence now suggests that Dartmoor and Exmoor Ponies are not as related as was once thought.

History

The bones of prehistoric horses have been found in chamber tombs dating from Vere Gordon Childe's period III - IV in southern Britain. This would date the bones at the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to an agricultural society (the Neolithic Revolution) around 3500 BC; the bones are probably from wild horses, but domestication may have begun by that date.^[4] Archeological investigation from the 1970s has shown that domesticated ponies were to be found on Dartmoor as early as 1500 BC.^[5] The first written record, dated to AD 1012, refers to wild horses at Ashburton, and early records from Dartmoor manors refer to ponies being branded and earmarked.^[6]

The Dartmoor Pony was used in medieval times for carrying heavy loads of tin ore from the mines across the moor.^[7] When the mines closed, some ponies were kept for farming, but most were turned out onto the moor. Ponies were bred at Dartmoor Prison from the early 1900s until the 1960s, and used by guards for escorting prisoners.^[8]

The Dartmoor received Arab blood from the stallion Dwarka, foaled in 1922, as well as Dwarka's son, The Leat.^[7] Welsh Pony breeding was introduced from the stallion Dinarth Spark, and infusions of Fell Pony blood were also added.^[9]

The first attempt to define and register the breed was in 1898, when the ponies were entered into a studbook started by the Polo Pony Society. In 1924, the breed society was founded, and a studbook opened.^[7] World War I and World War II were devastating to the breed. Only a few ponies were registered during World War II. However, after the war, local people began to inspect and register as many ponies as they could, and by the 1950s, numbers were back up.

Two schemes have been introduced to halt the decline in numbers, and broaden the gene pool of the Dartmoor Pony. The Dartmoor Pony Moorland Scheme was established in 1988 and is administered by the Dartmoor Pony Society and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as being supported by the Dartmoor National Park. In 2004, a new scheme, the Dartmoor Pony Preservation Scheme, was introduced, and herds taking part in this new scheme must enter one mare each year to the DPMS. The Dartmoor Pony has been granted Rare Breed status.^[10]

Dartmoor Ponies today

Dartmoor Ponies are native to Britain, but are also seen in other parts of the world, including the US,^[11] Continental Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.^[12] They are often used as foundation breeding stock for the Riding Pony.^[13] The breed is a good size and temperament for a children's mount, but it can carry an adult. They are mainly used for hunting, trail riding,^[14] showing,^[15] jumping, dressage, and driving,^[16] as well as everyday riding.

All ponies that are free-roaming on Dartmoor are owned and protected by Dartmoor Commoners. Visitors feeding the ponies is illegal.^[17]

References

^ "About The Breed". Dartmoor Pony Society. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
^ Dartmoor Commoners Council
^ Ponies found on Dartmoor Archived 2011-03-18 at the Wayback Machine, The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association
^ Daniel 1950, p. 173
^ "National Park Information Leaflet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
^ Local Government Factsheet
^ ^a ^b ^c Dent 2007, p. 152
^ Lynghaug 2009, p. 464
^ The British Horse
^ "Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "Dartmoor Pony Registry of America". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "Dartmoor Societies in Europe and Australia". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ Rayner 1974, p. 181
^ Lynghaug 2009, p. 462
^ "Horse of the Year Show Champion Dartmoor". Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ "Dartmoors in Competition". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ National Park Byelaws

Sources

Dent, Anthony Austen; Hendricks, Bonnie L. (2007), International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds, Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN 978-0-8061-3884-8
Lynghaug, Fran (2009), The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide: The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations, Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, ISBN 978-0-7603-3499-7
Rayner, Judy (1974), The horseman's companion: a guide to riding and horses, London: Croom Helm, p. 181, ISBN 0-85664-200-2
Daniel, Glynn (1950), The Prehistoric Chamber Tombs of England and Wales, Cambridge University Press, ASIN B0000CHRBZ

External links

Dartmoor Pony Society (UK)

[1] "About The Breed". Dartmoor Pony Society. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2011.

[2] Dartmoor Commoners Council

[3] Ponies found on Dartmoor Archived 2011-03-18 at the Wayback Machine, The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association

[Daniel173-4] Daniel 1950, p. 173

[5] "National Park Information Leaflet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2011.

[6] Local Government Factsheet

[dent152-7] Dent 2007, p. 152

[Lynghaug464-8] Lynghaug 2009, p. 464

[9] The British Horse

[10] "Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2011.

[11] "Dartmoor Pony Registry of America". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.

[12] "Dartmoor Societies in Europe and Australia". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.

[Rayner181-13] Rayner 1974, p. 181

[Lynghaug462-14] Lynghaug 2009, p. 462

[15] "Horse of the Year Show Champion Dartmoor". Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2011.

[16] "Dartmoors in Competition". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.

[17] National Park Byelaws

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+{{Short description|Horse breed}}
-'''The Dartmoor pony''' roams wild in [[Dartmoor]] National Park, [[Devon]], in the [[United Kingdom]]. It is closely related to the [[Exmoor Pony]].
+{{More citations needed|date=March 2021}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
+<!-- Begin Infobox horse. The text of the article should go AFTER this section.-->
+{{Infobox horse
+|name = Dartmoor Pony
+|image = File:Dartmoorpony.JPG
+|image_caption =
+|features = Small but strong, many colours, hardy
+|altname =
+|nickname =
+|country = [[England]]
+|group1 =
+|std1 =
+}}
+<!-- End Infobox horse info. Article Begins Here -->
+The '''Dartmoor Pony''' is a [[breed]] of pony that lives in [[Devon]], England. The breed has been in [[England]] for centuries and is used in a variety of roles. Because of the [[extreme weather]] conditions experienced on the moors, the [[Dartmoor]] [[Pony]] is a particularly hardy breed with excellent [[Endurance|stamina]]. Over the centuries, it has been used as a [[working animal]] by local [[Dartmoor tin-mining|tin miners]] and quarry workers. It is kept in a [[semi-feral|semiferal]] state on Dartmoor.
-Under the breed standard, introduced in [[1924]], a Dartmoor pony should stand at no more than 12.2hh, and should be bay, brown, black, grey chestnut or roan. Other colours do occur, usually as a result of interbreeding.
+Despite this, numbers living on the open moor have declined from an estimated 5,000 in 1900 to about 300 registered ponies today.{{when|date=May 2022}} Only around 800 ponies were known to be grazing the moor in the spring of 2004.
-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 [[Dartmoor tin-mining|tin miners]] and quarry workers.
+==Breed characteristics==
-Despite this, numbers have declined - from an estimated 25,800 in the 1930s to perhaps 5,000 today.
+The Dartmoor Pony has a small, neat head, large, wide-set eyes, and alert ears. It has a well-compact body that is strong, with a broad, deep rib cage, of medium length. The legs are strong, long from body to knee and hock, but with short cannons with strong, dense bone, and a flat-fronted knee; the fore leg rises to a shoulder that is well-angled and with good freedom of movement, and the hind leg rises to a quarter that is well-muscled and rounded in appearance, rather than flat or sloping. The [[mane (horse)|mane]] and [[tail (horse)|tail]] are full and flowing, and the pony's [[horse gait|movement]] is free and smooth. It has a kind [[temperament]], being reliable, gentle, and calm. Most Dartmoors stand between {{hands|11.1|and|12.2}}; a pony should stand at no more than 13&nbsp;hands under the breed standard, introduced in 1924. Recognised colours include [[bay (horse)|bay]], [[seal brown (horse)|brown]], [[black (horse)|black]], [[grey (horse)|grey]], [[Chestnut (coat)|chestnut]], or [[roan (horse)|roan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About The Breed|url=http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/aboutthebreed.html|publisher=Dartmoor Pony Society|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130010351/http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/aboutthebreed.html|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+[[Piebald]] and [[skewbald]] colouring is not permitted within the Dartmoor Pony breed.  Ponies with this colouring, seen running on Dartmoor, are likely to be Dartmoor Hill Ponies, as Dartmoor [[common land|commoner]]s may graze any type of pony out on the moors.<ref>[http://www.dartmoorcommonerscouncil.org.uk/ Dartmoor Commoners Council]</ref> The Dartmoor Hill Pony is classified as a pony born on Dartmoor, but not a purebred registered Dartmoor Pony.  It is not a true breed as such, as the registry for Dartmoor Hill Ponies is open only to those born on the moors, so a pony born of two Dartmoor Hill ponies, but not born on the moors, could not be registered with the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association.<ref>[http://www.dartmoorhillpony.com/pony_types.html Ponies found on Dartmoor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318085218/http://www.dartmoorhillpony.com/pony_types.html |date=2011-03-18 }}, The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association</ref>
-Some are owned and protected by farmers - these animals are usually identifiable by [[Livestock branding|branding]]. It is illegal for visitors to feed the ponies, although it is a common sight to see ponies being fed snacks through an open car window.
+Although [[Exmoor pony|Exmoor Ponies]] live fairly close geographically and their [[horse markings|markings]] are somewhat similar, evidence now suggests that Dartmoor and Exmoor Ponies are not as related as was once thought.
-The Dartmoor Pony Moorland Scheme (DPMS) was established in [[1988]] in a bid to halt the decline in numbers and along with the Dartmoor Pony Society, runs a breeding scheme. The Dartmoor Pony has since been granted Rare Breed status.
+==History==
-[[Category:Horse breeds]]
+The bones of prehistoric horses have been found in [[Severn-Cotswold tomb|chamber tombs]] dating from [[Vere Gordon Childe|Vere Gordon Childe's]] period III - IV in southern Britain.  This would date the bones at the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to an agricultural society (the [[Neolithic Revolution]]) around 3500 BC; the bones are probably from wild horses, but domestication may have begun by that date.<ref name=Daniel173>{{harvnb|Daniel|1950|p=173}}</ref>  Archeological investigation from the 1970s has shown that domesticated ponies were to be found on Dartmoor as early as 1500 BC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/41256/lab-pony2.pdf |title=National Park Information Leaflet |access-date=2011-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314024949/http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/41256/lab-pony2.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first written record, dated to AD 1012, refers to wild horses at Ashburton, and early records from Dartmoor manors refer to ponies being [[livestock branding|branded]] and [[Earmark (agriculture)|earmarked]].<ref>[http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/learningabout/lab-printableresources/lab-factsheetshome/lab-dartmoorponies Local Government Factsheet]</ref>
-[[de:Dartmoor-Pony]]
+[[Image:Dartmoor Ponies.jpg|thumb|right|A Dartmoor mare nursing her foal]]
-[[image:exmoor_winter.jpg]]
-[[image:Dartmoorxx.jpg]]
+The Dartmoor Pony was used in medieval times for carrying heavy loads of tin ore from the mines across the moor.<ref name=dent152>{{harvnb|Dent|2007|p=152}}</ref>  When the mines closed, some ponies were kept for farming, but most were turned out onto the moor.  Ponies were bred at [[Dartmoor Prison]] from the early 1900s until the 1960s, and used by guards for escorting prisoners.<ref name=Lynghaug464>{{harvnb|Lynghaug|2009|p=464}}</ref>
+The Dartmoor received [[Arabian horse|Arab blood]] from the [[stallion]] Dwarka, foaled in 1922, as well as Dwarka's son, The Leat.<ref name="dent152"/> [[Welsh Pony and Cob|Welsh Pony]] breeding was introduced from the stallion Dinarth Spark, and infusions of [[Fell Pony]] blood were also added.<ref>[http://www.thebritishhorse.com/DartmoorPonyBreed.html The British Horse]</ref>
+[[File:Wild Ponies.jpg|thumb|Ponies on Little Mis Tor]]
+The first attempt to define and register the breed was in 1898, when the ponies were entered into a studbook started by the Polo Pony Society. In 1924, the breed society was founded, and a studbook opened.<ref name="dent152"/>   [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] were devastating to the breed. Only a few ponies were registered during World War II. However, after the war, local people began to inspect and register as many ponies as they could, and by the 1950s, numbers were back up.
+Two schemes have been introduced to halt the decline in numbers, and broaden the gene pool of the Dartmoor Pony. The Dartmoor Pony Moorland Scheme  was established in 1988 and is administered by the Dartmoor Pony Society and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as being supported by the Dartmoor National Park. In 2004, a new scheme, the Dartmoor Pony Preservation Scheme, was introduced, and herds taking part in this new scheme must enter one mare each year to the DPMS.  The Dartmoor Pony has been granted Rare Breed status.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dpht.co.uk/othercharities.php |title=Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517021455/http://www.dpht.co.uk/othercharities.php |archive-date=2008-05-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+==Dartmoor Ponies today==
+[[File:Dartmoor pony 2.jpg|thumb|Dartmoor Hill pony on Dartmoor]]
+Dartmoor Ponies are native to Britain, but are also seen in other parts of the world, including the US,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dartmoorpony.com/DPRA/Welcome.html |title=Dartmoor Pony Registry of America |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708233144/http://www.dartmoorpony.com/DPRA/Welcome.html |archive-date=2011-07-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Continental Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/daughtersocieties.aspx |title=Dartmoor Societies in Europe and Australia |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708233227/http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/daughtersocieties.aspx |archive-date=2011-07-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  They are often used as [[foundation bloodstock|foundation breeding stock]] for the [[Riding Pony]].<ref name=Rayner181>{{harvnb|Rayner|1974|p=181}}</ref> The breed is a good size and temperament for a children's mount, but it can carry an adult. They are mainly used for [[field hunter|hunting]], [[trail riding]],<ref name=Lynghaug462>{{harvnb|Lynghaug|2009|p=462}}</ref> [[horse show|showing]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/394/302642.html |title=Horse of the Year Show Champion Dartmoor |access-date=2011-02-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911090115/http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/394/302642.html |archive-date=2012-09-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[show jumping|jumping]], [[dressage]], and [[driving (horse)|driving]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/latestnews.aspx |title=Dartmoors in Competition |access-date=2011-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302143028/http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/latestnews.aspx |archive-date=2011-03-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as everyday riding.
+All ponies that are free-roaming on Dartmoor are owned and protected by Dartmoor Commoners. Visitors feeding the ponies is illegal.<ref>[http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are/byelaws  National Park Byelaws]</ref>
+==See also==
+*[[Mountain and moorland pony breeds]]
+==References==
+{{reflist|30em}}
+==Sources==
+*{{citation |author=Dent, Anthony Austen|author2=Hendricks, Bonnie L. |title=International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman |year=2007  |isbn=978-0-8061-3884-8 |ref = {{harvid|Dent2007}} }}
+*{{citation |author=Lynghaug, Fran |title=The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide: The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations |publisher=Voyageur Press |location=Stillwater, MN |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7603-3499-7 | ref = {{harvid|Lynghaug2009}} }}
+*{{citation |author=Rayner, Judy |title=The horseman's companion: a guide to riding and horses |publisher=Croom Helm |location=London |year=1974 |pages=181 |isbn=0-85664-200-2 |ref = {{harvid|Rayner1974}} }}
+*{{citation
+| last=Daniel
+| first= Glynn
+| title = The Prehistoric Chamber Tombs of England and Wales
+| id = ASIN B0000CHRBZ
+| publisher = Cambridge University Press
+| year = 1950
+}}
+==External links==
+{{Commons category|Dartmoor Pony}}
+*[http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com Dartmoor Pony Society (UK)]
+{{British horses}}
+[[Category:Dartmoor]]
+[[Category:Horse breeds originating in England]]
+[[Category:Horse breeds]]
+<!-- list here too b/c most of breed not feral -->
+[[Category:Feral horses]]
+[[Category:Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy]]
+[[Category:Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist]]
+[[Category:Ponies]]

v t e Horse breeds of the British Isles
Horses	British Warmblood Cleveland Bay Clydesdale Gypsy Hackney Irish Draught Irish Sport Horse Shire Suffolk Punch Thoroughbred Welsh Cob
Ponies	British Spotted Pony Connemara Dales Dartmoor Eriskay Exmoor Fell Hackney Highland Kerry Bog Lundy New Forest Shetland Welara Welsh Mountain and moorland pony breeds
Types	Cob Garron Hack Hunter Windsor Grey
Extinct	Galloway pony Irish Hobby Norfolk Trotter Old English Black Yorkshire Coach Horse
Horse breeds originating in: United Kingdom, Ireland