Dartmoor ponies arrive in a very wet Norfolk 1/3
These ponies thrive on the grass heaths of the Norfolk Brecks 2/3
The conservation grazing ponies are suitable for thriving on coarse vegetation 3/3

16 new Dartmoor ponies join the NWT herd


Wednesday 13 April, 2016


Sixteen Dartmoor Ponies arrived in Norfolk this week ready for their new role as conservation grazing animals for Norfolk Wildlife Trust on Norfolkheathland.

The selection, handling and transport of the ponies was provided and organised by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT)  as part of DPHT’s on-going work to support the Dartmoor Pony on Dartmoor by seeking good homes for the ponies and ensuring a realistic income for the pony keepers who breed them.

DPHT, based at Parke, Bovey Tracey has sourced Dartmoor Heritage and Pedigree ponies for NWT for ten years and provides on-going support to its wardens. These moor–bred, hardy, conservation grazing ponies are suitable for thriving on coarse vegetation, the brief given by NWT to help them create and maintain important wildlife areas.

John Milton Head of Nature Reserves for Norfolk Wildlife Trust said: “As well as faring well on the mixed mire/heath sites of Norfolk - areas not dissimilar to Dartmoor  - these ponies thrive on the grass heaths of the Norfolk  Brecks, where other livestock have tended to lose condition.  

“These new additions will substantially increase our pony herd in the Brecks and will graze a number of sites including: two to supplement the herd at Holt Lowes; two to the herd at Cawston Heath; six joining the herds at Weeting and Hockwold; and six forming a new herd at Cranwich Camp as part of a Biffa-funded project to restore grassland habitats. The particular nature and preparation of these animals by the DPHT also helps to avoid issues with visitors, as the ponies are wary of close contact with people but can be handled by our wardens for routine care.

“As well as providing an important role in conservation grazing, NWT welcomes the opportunity to assist in the preservation of the Dartmoor pony. The NWT herd continues to grow, forming a significant herd for the preservation of this valuable British native breed outside Dartmoor.”

Norfolk Wildlife Trust has now purchased more than 160 ponies through DPHT.  Dru Butterfield of the DPHT coordinated the selection of the ponies with their breeders and NWT:  “Placement of this group of ponies which includes nine geldings, five fillies (animals under four years) and two mares, ensures that we further add to a herd of good quality Dartmoor Ponies which we could potentially draw upon in the case of a future major geographical disease. We offer a sourcing/sale service for free to sellers and buyers, but this is a very valuable sale made on behalf of Dartmoor pony keepers, who need to earn money from their ponies in order to continue breeding them.“
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