The Dartmoor ponies have lived for centuries in South-western England on the moorland known as Dartmoor.
Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the
Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina.
Originally these ponies were used to carry tin during medieval times from the local mines accross the moor.
When the mines eventually closed, some ponies were kept for farming work, but the majority of the ponies were turned out onto the moor.
Ponies were also bred at Dartmoor Prison from the early 1900s up until the 1960s, and used by guards for escorting prisoners.
They stand around 12.2hh (127cm) and should be black, bay, or brown with only a small amount of white markings acceptable for registration purposes and showing.
Piebald and skewbald colouring is not permitted within the Dartmoor Pony breed.
The small head has wide set eyes and alert ears.
The body is strong, with a broad, deep rib cage, and of medium length.
A shoulder that is well angled sloping shoulder and with good freedom of movement.
The mane and tail should be full and flowing, and the pony's movement free and smooth.
All ponies free-roaming on Dartmoor are owned and protected by Dartmoor Commoners.
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.
The breed society was founded, and a studbook opened in 1924.
Pony pictures
It has a flowing gait due to the lack of knee action lift resulting in a long, low action.
The breed makes an ideal children's riding pony as it is a suitable size making it an ideal mount, and has a good temperament, but it more than capable of carrying the weight of an adult.
They are often used as foundation breeding stock for the Riding Pony.
They are used for hunting, trail riding,hunting, showing, jumping, dressage and driving, as well as everyday riding.
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