A NEW charity which is determined to preserve the vulnerable native ponies of Dartmoor has been launched. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has recognised that numbers of the unregistered pony breed are at a critical level and the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust has been set up to try to stop the decline. Although the Dartmoor pony is a hardy breed with many uses, ongoing low market prices and the introduction of pony passports mean many farmers have decided to stop keeping the breed. However the Trust aims to increase the importance of the pony. Project officer Dru Butterfield said that 28 Dartmoor ponies qualified for the Horse of the Year show 2004 and it was a Dartmoor pony who took the working hunter pony championship over all the other native breeds. If you are interested in owning, adopting, walking a pony foal or would just like to support the trust, go to their website at http://www.dartmoorponyheritagetrust.com">www.dartmoorponyheritagetrust.com to find out more or to make a donation. Alternatively, Dru Butterfield can be contacted on 01626 355314.