Dartmoor

   

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Names:  Dartmoor, Dartmoor Pony.

Origin:  England, Dartmoor region; usually reared in semi-wild state.  But there are many private studs, where the best ponies are found.  (Dartmoor Pony Society)  This wild pony comes from the moors of Devon and Somerset.  A half-wild breed of pony, living on the rugged plains of Dartmoor in the extreme southwest of England.  In some quarters, unfortunately, cross-breeding with Shetlands has served to obliterate the purebred Dartmoor pony.

Breeding:  Lives half-wild on Dartmoor in southwest EnglandShetlands, introduced to reduce the size when Dartmoors were popular as pit-ponies, made most of the moorland herds crossbred, but studs throughout the country breed them pure.  Old native breed of pony; crossed with Thoroughbred produces a useful hunter.

Description:  One source says they resemble the Welsh pony (probably meaning the Welsh Mountain), with strong signs of an ancient mingling with desert stock.  The Dartmoor is a stockier horse than the Exmoor.  General impression is of a useful, well-made pony.

Action:  Stride is reaching, without the showy elevation of the Welsh.  Excellent walk; great galloping and above-average jumping abilities.

Body:  Elegant with sturdy conformation.  Well-proportioned neck, and oblique, good shoulders.  Powerful back with strong loins.  Quarters somewhat short with well-carried tail.

Color:  Colors include brown, bay, black, gray, and chestnut; any color permitted except piebald or skewbald--purebreds are never spotted.  Colour mostly bay, brown or black.

Head:  Small and pretty, but somewhat square around jowl and jaw.  Small ears.

Hooves:  Steel-hard.

Legs:  Often rather short in cannons in forelegs and occasionally cow-hocked.

Size:  Small, about 12 hands.  Up to 12.2 hands.  12 to 12.2 hands.  45-51 inches.

Temperament:  Intelligent, with a kind, stout-hearted character that endears it to child riders.

Features:  Hardy and surefooted.  Rugged and spirited.  Quite elegant, fast, hardy pony running out on the moors, with plenty of stamina.  Favourite pony for children, with good jumping ability.

Uses:  Excellent children's riding pony.  They are daring little jumpers and when crossed with full-size horses produce good hunters.  On coming in from the wild, however, they are quite rough and need firm training.  Essentially a riding pony.

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