Dales pony
| Dales pony | |
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| Important data | |
| Origin: | eastern pennines |
| Main breeding area: | Northern england |
| Distribution: | low |
| Stick measure : | 135-147 cm |
| Colors : | mostly black horses and dark browns |
| Main application area: | Pack and riding horse |
The Dales pony is a small breed of horse from the east side of the Pennines in northern England . They have great stamina and were used as pack horses .
Background information on horse evaluation and breeding can be found under: Exterior , interior and horse breeding .
Exterior
They usually have strong legs and very fine ears . The ponies stand compact and are stocky. They have a strong stature with a muscular croup. The legs are short and have strong joints and tubes.
The neck is short and thin with a luscious mane .
Most of the dales are black or dark brown ( winter black horses ), although there are also gray or maroon ones . Even mold occur. The height is between 135 and 147 cm.
interior
The Dales pony is a very robust breed, easy to keep, and has great endurance and reliability.
They are very balanced and sensible, also ideal for children.
Breeding history
The Dales pony evolved from the local Pennine pony and the now-extinct Scottish Galloway , which brought speed and surefootedness. Frisians were also crossed.
Originally, the ponies were bred as pack horses to haul heavy lead ore through the Northumberland and Durham regions to the huts.
Due to their agility, power and speed, they successfully competed in trotting races in the 18th century and were also used in hunting. Because they coped so well with a harsh climate, they were used by the British Army as pack horses and artillery horses.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Clydesdale , Norfolk Trotter and Yorkshire Roadster breeds were added to improve the trot . Around 1850, Welsh-Cob was added to improve the gaits . The Dales Pony Improvement Society was founded in 1916 to help secure the future of the breed. However, since a great many animals were used and perished in the First World War , the breed was almost wiped out. It was not until 1963, the year the Dales Pony Society was founded, that the number of animals increased again.
Dales ponies today
Today the Dales ponies are mainly used for riding because of their great endurance and balanced temperament. Day rides are just as much a part of the field of activity as long-distance rides , but also dressage , driving , jumping and eventing rides .
Small herds of Dales ponies still roam the eastern Pennines freely today.
See also
Web links
- Dales Pony Society
- Dales pony stud with breed information