Dales-Pony

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 the evaluation and breeding horses can be found at: exterior, interior and horse breeding.

Exterior

They usually have strong legs and a very fine hangings. The ponies are compact and stocky. They have a powerful figure with muscular croup. The legs are short and have strong joints and tubes.

The neck is short and thin with a lush mane.

Most Dales are black or dark brown (winter centimes), although there are gray or maroon. Also mold occur. The Height of 135-147 cm.

Interior

The Dales Pony is a very hardy breed, easy to maintain and has great endurance and reliability.

They are very balanced and reasonable, ideal for children.

Breeding history

The Dales Pony evolved from the local Pennine Pony and the now-extinct Scottish Galloway, which brought speed and sure-footedness. Friesians were also crossed to.

Originally, the ponies were bred as pack horses to pull heavy lead ore through the regions of Northumberland and Durham to the huts.

Through their agility, strength and speed, they were successful at in harness racing in the 18th century and were also used on the hunt. Because they are so well coped with harsh climates, they were used by the British Army as pack and artillery horses.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the breed Clydesdale, Norfolk and Yorkshire was mixed Roadster to improve the trot. In 1850 Welsh Cob was bred to to improve the course. The Dales Pony Improvement Society was founded in 1916 to secure the future of the breed. However, since many animals were used in World War I and died, the breed was almost wiped out. It took until 1963, the year of the Dales Pony Society, to the number of animals increased again.

Dales ponies today

Today the Dales ponies are used because of their great endurance and the balanced temperament mainly for riding. Day rides are also part of application such as long distance rides, but also Dressage, Driving, Jumping and Eventing.

Small herds of Dales ponies roam free today through the eastern Pennines.