A NUMBER of Dartmoor ponies have been relocated to Norfolk to deliver a conservation grazing programme.

Nineteen Dartmoor ponies have been sent to Norfolk, sourced from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) and managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, to deliver the programme to improve, restore and manage fern and lowland heath land and dry acid grassland at Holt Lowes, north Norfolk.

The new additions increase the NWT's Dartmoor Pony herd to eighty-four.

NWT grazing officer Lucy Wilshaw said: 'This is another great opportunity for us to protect Norfolk's biodiversity — by choosing to buy more Heritage Dartmoors, NWT is actively supporting this officially recognised endangered species, and the way of life of Dartmoor pony keepers.

'The indigenous Dartmoor pony is a small, hardy pony with a proven ability to maintain itself on poor keep in exposed conditions. Being one of the more placid native ponies, they are good at being conservation grazers, but also excellent on sites with public access.'

From the DPHT, Dru Butterfield said: 'This is a perfect partnership. We are increasingly concerned at the reducing number of Dartmoor ponies now running on the moor.

'Placing well bred mares and fillies in other parts of the country has become a vital strategy to preserve the native Dartmoor Pony, especially should there be a major disease outbreak on Dartmoor.

'We have continued to work on our relationships with existing and potential buyers across the UK and are delighted to be providing ponies to Norfolk once again — their commitment to our ponies could make all the difference to their survival.'

The indigenous Dartmoor pony is under severe threat of dying out. The role of the DPHT is to preserve the unregistered traditional Dartmoor Pony for future generations to enjoy.