A VOLUNTARY organisation which took on four Dartmoor ponies left unsold at a Tavistock pony market has announced they are all progressing well. Natalie Torr and Kathryn Hulland put together Dartmoor Pony Rescue Centre (DPRC) in September last year at Bovey Tracey. The Times last April reported that the rescue centre had taken on the unsold ponies. It says they are doing well, and expresses thanks to all who made donations, and to those who adopted a pony. The centre has since been offered the use of a field a mile down the road from its current base. The volunteers of DPRC moved the ponies there at the end of May. Now DPRC has been given a 14-acre field for the ponies to use permanently. Volunteer Kathryn Hulland said: ?This has made a huge difference to all of them, especially our youngest pony Reggie. The grass has done them all the world of good.? Since moving, the volunteers said the ponies were much more playful, and described how much fun it was to watch them enjoying themselves. Natalie and Kathryn have spent a lot of time with the ponies to build up their trust in people. This patience has paid off. The ponies now lie down with them and fall asleep next to them ? a big sign of trust. DPRC was set up to take on ponies left unsold at the markets and work with the animals, getting them used to being around people. Natalie said every year ponies are rounded up. For some time now the market value has been low and foals have been known to sell for as little as 10p. Markets then introduced a reserve price of eight guineas, which could mean some of the ponies do not even sell. If the foals are not sold their future does not look promising, said Natalie ? this is when the DPRC comes in. Eight ponies were taken on this year, four of which were to be re-homed. The other four will form a base herd and stay with the DPRC throughout their lives. Having a base herd will help any new ponies taken in to get over the stress they have suffered. Four of DPRC?s ponies are looking for re-homing by October ? Basil, Reggie, Socks and Star. DPRC is a voluntary organisation and is currently trying to raise £1,000 to cover insurance costs to take on volunteers to help with the training the ponies. Natalie said: ?As we need funding to get insurance we are not able to take on volunteers in case one of the ponies gets uncontrollable and injures that person.? The centre is also interested in grazing that may be available in the area as well as anyone who could help transport the ponies from time to time. For more information on DPRC visit its website at http://www.dprc.org.uk">www.dprc.org.uk or for any questions contact Kathryn Hulland on 01392 667262. Every year the DPRC will take on more unsold foals, but its eventual aim is that by promoting the ponies, there will no longer be ponies which do not sell at market.
