What is a Dartmoor Heritage Pony and Why are they Important

A Dartmoor Heritage Pony is a true to type Dartmoor Pedigree Pony, as defined by the Dartmoor Pony Society, that is not registered. They do not exceed 127cm (12.2hh). They can be bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, roan. They are not piebald, skewbald nor spotted. They are of medium length and strong, well ribbed up with a a good depth of girth giving plenty of heart room. As with the pedigree Dartmoor Pony, they are a very good looking riding pony, sturdily built yet with quality. The mane and tail should be full and flowing. Their ears are small and alert and the eyes fairly large giving the pony a kindly interested expression.

The Dartmoor Heritage Ponies originate from the moor’s ancient herds. They are tough, surefooted and they thrive in harsh moorland conditions.

The ponies are a vital part of the eco-system in tackling the current environmental challenges that are evident on Dartmoor. Their grazing style and behaviour ensures that the bio-diversity which is under threat is not lost to future generations.

Over the past seventy years the herds have reduced signficantly and continue to be at risk. The DPHT’s role is to secure their future for all of us and the future generations. If we do not act now, the next generation may never know Dartmoor’s Heritage Ponies.

How do we support the Dartmoor Heritage Pony

Support for Dartmoor Heritage Pony Keepers and Breeders – the Champions on the Front Line. Dartmoor Heritage ponies are semi-wild herds that thrive on Dartmoor all year round – and they owe their existence to the dedication and commitment of Dartmoor farmers, who have bred and managed traditional ponies through many generations. Your donations and legacies enable the charity to assist pony breeders by helping to resource practical services required to support and manage these multi-generational herds.

Home of Dartmoor Heritage Ponies at Bellever in the heart of Dartmoor. Bellever encapsulates the Dartmoor Landscape where traditional ponies can thrive. At Bellever, the public can observe these incredible ponies in action. Evidence can be gathered of their natural ability to improve not only Dartmoor’s rare upland heathland for nature and wildlife but uplands across the UK. With proper funding, Bellever can continue as an educational and research resource, raising awareness of the Dartmoor Heritage Pony as well as providing additional grazing for pony keepers.

Conservation Grazing to Support the Landscape and Wildlife. The Dartmoor Heritage Pony has a crucial role in transforming stressed and degraded heathland into the vibrant moorlands of the past, nurturing it to become rich with wildflowers and wildlife. Your donations will help us work with wildlife trusts and other partners to widen public understanding of the ponies’ value for biodiversity and their contribution to assisting the moor’s ability to combat climate change. 

Educating the Next Generation. We are all the current custodians of the world around us. Our decisions and actions will shape that which the next generation inherits. It is critical that we help them understand the importance of these custodian responsibilities that they will inherit. This requires us to educated and inspire those upon whose shoulders the future of the Dartmoor Heritage Pony will rest. By supporting the Dartmoor Heritage Pony Trust you will be funding support to; schools, enabling continued research, and supporting the families who manage multi-generational herds. Your contributions will also help us inspire and assist new pony keepers who will carry on this vital tradition.