Dales pony

Overview

The Dales pony is native to the upper dales of the eastern Pennine slopes, from the High Peak of Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish border. The breed standard describes "a strong, active pony, full of quality and spirit", with true pony character: "alert, high-couraged, intelligent and kind". Most Dales ponies are black.

History

The dales where the breed developed had a lead-mining industry from Roman times until the mid-19th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries, ponies known as Jagger Galloways carried ore, fuel and lead over the moors to the ports of the north-east. Each carried 240 lb (two "pigs" of lead) and travelled up to a hundred miles a week. The Scotch Galloway provided foundation bloodlines, and breeders selected the largest, strongest and most active ponies.

Trotting blood followed. Norfolk Cobs were brought in during the late 1700s. The stallion Shales the Original, foaled in 1755, appears in Dales pedigrees, and the Welsh trotting stallion Comet Talbot added energetic action in the 1860s.

The Dales Pony Improvement Society was formed and the stud book opened in 1916. The Army bought more than 200 Dales ponies in 1923–24, and during the Second World War, with petrol rationed, the ponies were vital for running farms. By the 1950s machines had left them without a role, and numbers fell. In 1964 the society was reorganised and opened a grading-up register. When it closed in 1971, registrations had been rising steadily.

Breed standard

• Height: preferred range 14 hh (142.2 cm) to 14.2 hh (146.2 cm). Ponies outside this range may be placed at the judges' discretion.
• Colours: black, brown, grey, bay and roan.
• Markings: a white star and/or snip on the head, and white to the fetlocks on the hind legs only. Ponies with more white are registered in a separate section.
• Head: neat and pony-like, with no dish; broad between bright, alert eyes; slightly incurving ears and a long forelock.
• Neck: strong and of ample length, with a clean throat and jaw; stallions show an arched crest and a long, flowing mane.
• Body: short-coupled and deep through the chest, with well-sprung ribs and long, sloping, well-muscled shoulders.
• Legs and feet: 8 to 9 inches of flat bone on the cannons, with well-defined tendons and nicely sloping pasterns; ample silky feather on the heels; large, round feet, open at the heels.
• Action: clean, high, straight and true, going forward "on all fours" with tremendous energy.

Temperament and uses

The breed society describes Dales ponies as having tremendous stamina, an iron constitution, high courage and great intelligence, together with a calm, sensible nature. They are unbeatable at walk and can keep going over long distances, which makes them favourites for trekking and long-distance rides. They are willing, clever jumpers and compete in cross-country, performance classes and dressage. They carry heavy adults easily and are kind enough to carry children, but the society says they are best suited to competent adult and teenage riders.

They are usually good in traffic, sure-footed and unlikely to panic in awkward situations. With their fast trot, that makes them a first choice for driving, whether for pleasure or in driving trials. As with any breed, individuals vary.

Health and management

Native ponies evolved to live on sparse grazing. Research at the Royal Veterinary College notes that ponies tend to be more insulin resistant than horses, which makes them more prone to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This trait is genetic, probably an adaptation to harsh environments, and on richer grazing it leads to obesity, EMS and a higher risk of laminitis. World Horse Welfare names obesity as the biggest risk factor for EMS, and says insulin testing is a valuable way to assess the risk of laminitis and EMS in native breeds. Keep an eye on weight and body condition, and ask your vet about testing.

Conservation

The Dales pony is a Priority breed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's Watchlist. The Trust notes that the population grew by about 10.7% from 2015 to 2024, but the effective population is still small.