Your photo shouldn’t cost a pony on Dartmoor its future

Seeing heritage Dartmoor ponies grazing freely on the moor is one of the things that makes Dartmoor so special.

At this time of year, with thousands of people enjoying the moor during the summer holidays, ponies can often be seen close to roads, car parks and popular places to stop and walk. It’s understandable that people want to take photographs and get a little closer.

But please enjoy them from a distance.

Offering a pony a treat, calling it over or encouraging it towards your car for a photograph might seem harmless, but it can change the way that pony behaves.

Please don’t feed the ponies

Ponies are quick learners. Once they discover that people or cars can mean food, they are more likely to approach them again.

Over time, this can lead to ponies gathering around car parks, standing close to roads or approaching vehicles in the hope of being fed. That puts the ponies at greater risk of being involved in a road traffic collision and can also put motorists in danger.

Even feeding a pony just once can reinforce that behaviour.

The kindest thing you can do is leave them to graze naturally.

Give them space

Heritage Dartmoor ponies are part of a working landscape. They have adapted over generations to live on the moor and their grazing plays an important role in maintaining its habitats.

They don’t need to be called over, stroked or given treats to be enjoyed.

Stop. Watch them. Take photographs. Enjoy seeing mares with their foals, youngsters playing and herds grazing together. But let them choose where they go and what they do.

The best photographs are of ponies behaving naturally in the landscape they belong in.

Five simple ways you can help

When you see ponies on Dartmoor:

• Keep a respectful distance.
• Never feed them or offer treats.
• Don’t call or encourage them towards your vehicle.
• Keep dogs under close control around ponies and other livestock.
• Slow down when driving and expect animals on or near the road.

These are small things, but they can make a real difference.

We want everyone to enjoy seeing heritage Dartmoor ponies on the moor. They are part of Dartmoor’s landscape, culture and history, and we are working hard to help secure their future.

So take the photograph. Enjoy the moment. Share your love of Dartmoor’s ponies.

Just give them the space to remain ponies.

Your photo shouldn’t cost a pony its future.