Dartmoor National Park Authority

How you can help

The Dartmoor National Park Authority is working in partnership with the Dartmoor Commoners‘ Council and other interested bodies to secure a viable future for the ponies on Dartmoor.

Please do not feed the ponies It encourages them to stay near the road where they might be killed or seriously injured. The food we enjoy is not a natural or healthy diet for ponies and can make them very ill. Ponies will learn to expect food from people and might frighten or hurt them in an attempt to get more food. It is illegal (Byelaws: In respect of Dartmoor National Park 10(1)).

Park only in designated car parks Pulling in on the roadside causes damage to moorland verges and is potentially dangerous to other road users. It also attracts ponies to the road looking for food.

Keep to the 40 mile per hour speed limit This is the maximum speed limit on many of Dartmoor’s roads. Always drive cautiously according to road conditions and visibility

Keep well away The ponies are untamed - they can be unpredictable and may kick and bite if approached.

Take all your litter home A plastic bag or ring pull from a can will cause terrible suffering if swallowed.

Find out more For more information about the ponies on Dartmoor and how they are managed, call at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown.

Where to find out more

• Dartmoor National Park Authority
  High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown
  Tel: (01822) 890414
• Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Tel: (01626) 888713 www.dartmoorhillpony.com (external link)
• Dartmoor Pony Society
  
• Mrs M Vanstone Tel: (01409) 231233
  www.dartmoorponysociety.freeserve.co.uk (external link)
  or Mrs E Newbolt-Young Tel: (01364) 621281
  www.dartmoorstables.com
(external link)

If you see an injured pony please contact:

• Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society
  South Brent . . . . . . . . . . Tel: (01364) 73121
  Hayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel: (01364) 661332
  Buckfastleigh . . . . . . . . . Tel: (01364) 643411
  Mary Tavy . . . . . . . . . . . Tel: (01822) 810303
• or Dartmoor National Park Authority High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown
  Tel: (01822) 890414
• or Dartmoor Commoners’ Council
  Tel: (01822) 618892

If you are involved in a vehicular accident with a pony YOU MUST telephone the police. If you witness such an accident please also telephone the police.

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Page updated 21 September 2005