- Dartmoor -

The Dartmoor has ancient roots and has had a very checkered past, which nearly resulted in the extinction of the breed a number of times. The Dartmoor is one of England's native pony breeds and for centuries has lived in a semi-wild state in the open moorlands of Dartmoor in Devon. Although they can still be seen there, the majority of the ponies are now kept and bred in private stables.

Through time the Dartmoor pony has been noted for its excellent qualities and abilities, including a natural jumping ability. It has benefited further during the 20th century from infusions of blood from a variety of other breeds. Significant contributions to the modern Dartmoor pony came from the Arabian stallion Dwarka, foaled in 1922, and his son The Leat, as well as the Welsh Mountain pony Dinarth Spark. The Dartmoor suffered severely from 1789 to 1832, which saw the birth of the industrial revolution.

The breed was infiltrated greatly by Shetland blood to produce suitable pit ponies, which resulted in a decrease of good, pure-bred stock. Revived through the use of Welsh Mountain ponies and Fell stallions, the breed again suffered large losses during WWI. The Second World War almost saw the breed's extinction as its natural habitat was taken over by the army for training exercise.
Luckily it was saved, and today good quality

Dartmoor ponies are in high demand as children's ponies and as show ponies. They have excellent dispositions, are sweet-tempered, willing, and naturally athletic. They jump incredibly well, move very well, and are quite often used as foundation stock for the breeding
of
riding ponies, with studs in France as well as Britain.

The Dartmoor pony is a quality riding pony and also suitable for use in harness. They are nicely proportioned and put together, with good conformation. They have fine, attractive heads set on a muscular neck. a compact back, and strong legs with short cannon bones. They also have very full manes and tails, and should be somewhat muscular through the back, back, and loins. The most preferable colors are brown, black, and bay with minimal white markings. Skewbald and piebald colors are not accepted into the breed register at all. Dartmoor ponies stand about 12.2 hands high.

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