THE first Dartmoor pony sale of the year held in Tavistock last week was declared a success, after auctioneers introduced a new scheme putting a reserve price on the animals.

Ward and Chowen and Dartmoor Commoners? Council agreed every pony put up for sale would have a reserve price of eight guineas to deter impulse-buying of ponies by people ill-equipped to look after them, which has posed welfare problems in the past.

The number of ponies brought for sale at Tavistock Livestock Centre last Friday was almost half that of last year. However, out of 150 ponies for sale, only eight remained unsold by the close of business.

Prices for some ponies were pushed up to almost £100 ? a far cry from last year?s sale when ponies sold for pence and more than half went unsold altogether.

Chris Clapham of Ward and Chowen said the sale had gone ?very well? and the eight guineas price reserve had worked well.

?If you are prepared to buy a pony and look after it for its lifetime, you should be prepared to spend eight guineas to buy it,? he said.

Mr Clapham said although there had been fewer ponies than in previous years they had been of a better quality.

?There were a lot more people around the ring compared to last year, and the prices were anything between eight and one hundred guineas per pony,? he said.

Mr Clapham was pleased at the number of sales and hoped the trend would continue next year, though he said there was no guarantee prices would improve again.

Dartmoor National Park Authority said the signs from the sale at Tavistock livestock market had been promising.

A DNPA spokesman said: ?Dartmoor National Park Authority together with pony-keepers, the Dartmoor Commoners? Council, the RSPCA, the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society and other interested groups have worked hard over the last 24 months to help ensure a better future for Dartmoor Ponies.

?The last market at Tavistock gives a small indication that by improving the quality of ponies going to market, there will be the bona fide buyers. There is still a long way to go, but certainly the picture looks more healthy than recent pony sales.?

John Hodge, chairman of the Dartmoor Commoners? Council said the eight guineas reserve price had had a positive effect.

?If they give a decent price for the ponies they will look after them, and that stops welfare problems,? Mr Hodge said.

It is hoped the success of last week?s market will be repeated at today?s (Thursday) pony sale in Chagford.