SIXTEEN Dartmoor ponies left their moorland home for Norfolk heathland recently as they start a new life as conservation grazing animals for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Organised by the charity Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) the ponies arrived in Norfolk for their new roles with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT). The trust has now purchased more than 160 ponies through the DPHT.

The selection, handling/training and transport of the ponies was provided and organised by the DPHT as part of its ongoing work to support the Dartmoor Pony on Dartmoor, through seeking good homes for farmers’ ponies and ensuring a realistic income for those who breed them.

Dru Butterfield, from the DPHT, said: ‘This is great news for Dartmoor ponies bred on Dartmoor and for the eight breeders from whom they were sourced. We make no charge for the selection, training, co-ordination and follow up support work that our charity provides. Against a barrage of “worthlessness”, this order and the relationship we have established with NWT and our local breeders, has ensured true added value and a realistic price for these lovely ponies.

‘The herd comprises nine geldings, five fillies and two mares. Because all of them have grown up on the moor, they are acclimatised to and happy living in the often similar environments and climates of Norfolk.’

Such placements also ensure that the charity is adding to a ‘reservoir’ of good quality, moorland-hardy Dartmoor ponies held elsewhere in the UK, which Dartmoor breeders could potentially draw upon in the case of a future major geographical disease in Devon.

DPHT has sourced Dartmoor heritage and pedigree ponies for NWT for ten years and provides on-going support to its wardens.

John Milton, head of nature reserves for NWT, said: ‘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.’