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The Dales pony, very similar to the Fell
pony, is probably descended from the same ancestors as the Fell, but the two
have developed differently. They are native to England, and hail from the
northern countries, the Dales from the east Pennines, and the Fell from the
north and west Pennines. The Dales is is an old breed, probably descended from
the old Friesian horse of Europe that was a descendent of the primitive Forest
Horse. The Dales pony, however, has been subjected to influences from other
breeds, nearly al of which have improved the breed, with the exception of the
Clydesdale blood, which was introduced during the early 20th century.
The Dales is most famous for its great strength and
endurance and its ability to carry heavy weights. It was often used for
transporting loads of lead ore from the mines of Northumberland and Durham to
the smelt mills. The bred was also popular with Dales farmers, who used the
ponies for tasks around the farm such as plowing. On small hill farms, the
Dales pony is ideally suited to the terrain and climate.
The Dales is a very versatile breed, being incredibly
suitable for riding and driving as well as working on land, and even with the
advent of mechanization, the Dales pony can still perform better in some areas
than a tractor can. They are noted for their excellence in harness and are
able to transport heavy loads very quickly. Approximately a hundred years ago,
a Welsh stallion named Comet was introduced into a breeding program with some
Dales mares, and many of Comet's characteristics were passed on, the most
notable being a more free-flowing action in the trot, which in turn made the
Dales more popular as a riding pony. They have very good temperaments and are
increasingly used in the tourist industry for trekking holidays.
In appearance, the Dales often have neat heads with fine
jaws and throats, which are set onto a shortish, thick-set neck. They have
a strong, muscular body with plenty of bone, well-sprung ribs, and strong
hooves. They have luxurious manes and tails and copious feathering around the
legs. They are usually black or dark brown and stand approximately 14.2 hh.
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