THE pony situation on Dartmoor is in crisis, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DHPT) this week claimed.

Amid rumours that this month's Chagford sale could have been the last of the traditional, public sales of Dartmoor ponies, and the recent proposal by the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to breed ponies for human consumption, the trust says it is 'putting its money where its mouth is' by offering to fund the implementation of a pony management plan for the moor.

The DPHT, its supporters and the pony keepers with whom it works, say they feel that the situation has become so urgent and important that the charity will consider giving funding support for practical pony management initiatives on Dartmoor.

The trust's focus now is to lobby the Commoners' Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England and DEFRA, as well as other relevant bodies, to facilitate open discussion regarding all potential strategies to reduce unwanted foal births.

It is too late for this year it said, as mares are already carrying next year's foals and so it will be critical to have strategies in place by early spring 2015.

Judy Fawcett, the DPHT chairman, said: 'We urge the Commoners' Council to seriously consider the findings of Robyn Petrie-Ritchie's thesis "An Investigation into the Management Options Available to Secure a Future of the Pony on Dartmoor: A Behavioural and Opinion-Based Evaluation".

'In 2013, the Pony Action Group, which includes representatives from the DPHT, DHPA, Natural England, Duchy of Cornwall, Dartmoor National Park, Dartmoor Pony Society and the Commoners' Council, agreed to take heed of this report.

'The Pony Action Group must be urgently re-convened to see through a period of serious review and the creation of an action plan.

'It is possible to achieve a better, more effective pony management scheme on the commons of Dartmoor. A number of commons are already taking matters into their own hands, working together to put in joint management solutions, including dealing with 'dumped' animals and stallion/colt control measures. There are many ways in which the Dartmoor Commoners' Council, as representatives of farmers on the commons, are doing an effective job; but there is more that can be done.'

In response, Dartmoor Commoners' Council says it remains concerned over the future of ponies on Dartmoor and has a pony-working group that addresses issues relating to all types of ponies kept on the commons of Dartmoor, and works with others to find solutions to complex problems.

The Dartmoor Commoners Council's responsibilities are restricted to ensuring that only healthy herds of ponies graze the commons and that the pony herders do not exceed their grazing limits. Those not directly involved in grazing the commons do not always appreciate this, it says.

John Waldon, the chairman of the Dartmoor Commoners' Council, said: 'Council is grateful to those pony herders who are working tirelessly to address a range of issues including the surplus of foals and removing ponies that have no recognisable owner.

'At the end of the day, every pony herder must decide on the breed and type of pony they choose to keep on the commons whilst also being responsible for their fate, if this is for human consumption or zoo meat that is entirely their choice, which they are entitled to make.'

The DCC acknowledge Robyn Petrie-Ritchie's report, saying it contained interesting and potentially useful information on how herds of ponies react under different management regimes.

Mr Waldon added: 'There are many positive moves in the keeping of ponies on Dartmoor; it is not all doom and gloom. The number of "illegal" ponies has been reduced and pony herders are considering options that will enable them to continue to keep ponies.

'Slowly people are recognising the important role ponies play in managing Dartmoor.

'Yes, we must all work together, but it is the pony herders who must decide what to do based on sound evidence. Rest assured, the council will continue to encourage responsible pony keeping on the moor.'

The Dartmoor National Park Authority was asked by the Times for its view on the DPHT proposal to put funding towards a pony management plan for the moor.

A spokesperson said: 'At this stage we don't want to comment on any proposals.'