Organisations working to benefit the ponies on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park Authority
The Dartmoor National Park Authority is a statutory body with the purposes of conserving and enhancing the wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area and promoting understanding and enjoyment of the National Park. It also has a duty to seek to foster the socio-economic well-being of the community. The pony is the emblem of the National Park Authority, it is part of the cultural heritage of the area, and an intrinsic part of the landscape.
The Duchy of Cornwall
Dartmoor has a long connection with the Duchy of Cornwall. Edward Plantagenet (The Black Prince) became the first Duke of Cornwall in 1337. Today, the Duchy owns about one third of the total National Park area. The present Duke of Cornwall takes a close interest in Dartmoor. The Duchy financially supports the Dartmoor Pony Moorland Scheme. The Duchy also actively promotes the use of ponies as conservation grazers. For further information visit the website www.princeofwales.gov.uk or telephone (01822) 890205
The Dartmoor Commoners’ Council
The Dartmoor Commoners’ Council is the parent body of the local Commoners’ Associations. The local associations appoint representatives to the Council, which has a statutory responsibility for the good husbandry of the commons of Dartmoor.To improve the quality of the ponies on Dartmoor the Commoners’ Council introduced the Stallion Approval Scheme. This scheme ensures that stallions have been assessed by an independent veterinary surgeon as being healthy, hardy, and of good confirmation before being allowed onto the commons. For further information telephone (01822) 618892
The Dartmoor Pony Society
Started in 1924, the Dartmoor Pony Society maintains the Dartmoor Pony Stud Book and produced the Breed Standard by which all pure-bred ponies are judged. The Society has members all over the world. For further information visit the Dartmoor Pony Society website www.dartmoorponysociety.com (external link) or telephone (01487) 822635
The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust
This charity, launched in 2004, aims to preserve the indigenous Dartmoor pony from extinction and maintain its presence on dartmoor. For further information visit the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust website www.dartmoorponytrust.com (external link).
Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony
The organisation is involved in the research of new markets and promotes the use of ponies in driving and as good family riding ponies. The Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony aim to preserve the individual pony herds on Dartmoor, their heritage and history for all to enjoy. For further information visit the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony website www.dartmoorhillpony.com (external link) or telephone (01364) 631036
View this webpage in PDF Format:
(149Kb - Back to Spirit of the Pony homepage.
Page updated 21 September 2005
