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The Dartmoor has ancient roots and has had
a very checkered past, which nearly resulted in the extinction of the breed a
number of times. The Dartmoor is one of England's native pony breeds and for
centuries has lived in a semi-wild state in the open moorlands of Dartmoor in
Devon. Although they can still be seen there, the majority of the ponies are
now kept and bred in private stables.
Through time the Dartmoor pony has been
noted for its excellent qualities and abilities, including a natural jumping
ability. It has benefited further during the 20th century from infusions of
blood from a variety of other breeds. Significant contributions to the modern
Dartmoor pony came from the Arabian stallion Dwarka, foaled in 1922, and his
son The Leat, as well as the Welsh Mountain pony Dinarth Spark. The Dartmoor
suffered severely from 1789 to 1832, which saw the birth of the industrial
revolution.
The breed was infiltrated greatly by Shetland blood to produce
suitable pit ponies, which resulted in a decrease of good, pure-bred stock.
Revived through the use of Welsh Mountain ponies and Fell stallions, the breed
again suffered large losses during WWI. The Second World War almost saw the
breed's extinction as its natural habitat was taken over by the army for
training exercise. Luckily it was saved, and today good quality
Dartmoor
ponies are in high demand as children's ponies and as show ponies. They have
excellent dispositions, are sweet-tempered, willing, and naturally athletic.
They jump incredibly well, move very well, and are quite often used as
foundation stock for the breeding of riding ponies, with studs in France as
well as Britain.
The Dartmoor pony is a quality riding pony
and also suitable for use in harness. They are nicely proportioned and put
together, with good conformation. They have fine, attractive heads set on a
muscular neck. a compact back, and strong legs with short cannon bones. They
also have very full manes and tails, and should be somewhat muscular through
the back, back, and loins. The most preferable colors are brown, black, and
bay with minimal white markings. Skewbald and piebald colors are not accepted
into the breed register at all. Dartmoor ponies stand about 12.2 hands high.
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