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The Dales Pony is a small horse breed native to the eastern Pennines of northern Britain. They have great stamina and were used as a pack animal.
Breed characteristics
The Dales is a very hardy breed, an easy-keeper, and possesses great stamina and soundness. They usually have sturdy legs with dense bone and great amounts of silky feathering. The hoof is usually of blue horn. The ponies are close-coupled and stocky, with strong hindquarters and loins, and high knee and hock action. Their neck is short and thin, with a luxurious mane. They are even-tempered and sensible ponies, making them ideal for children.
Most Dales Ponies are black or dark brown, although some are gray or bay. They generally stand 13.2-14.2 hh.
History of the Dales Pony
The Dales Pony developed form the native Pennine Pony, and was greatly influenced by the now-extinct Scottish Galloway, which improved their speed and sure-footedness. They were also infused with Friesian blood. The ponies were originally bred as pack animals, to carry heavy loads of lead through the countryside from Northumberland and Durham to smelt mills.
With their agility, power, and speed, the Dales had great success in the trotting races of the 18th century and the organized hunts. Because they could survive so well in a harsh climate, the British Army used them as pack and artillery ponies.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Clydesdale, Norfolk, and Yorkshire Roadster blood was added to improve the trotting ability of the Dales. Welsh Cob blood was also added during the 1850s, by the stallion Comet, to improve their gait. The Dales Pony Improvement Society was formed in 1916, trying to protect the ponies’ future. However, because so many ponies were used in the war, the breed was nearly wiped out. It wasn’t until 1963, when the Dales Pony Society was formed, that numbers began to increase.
The Dales Pony today
Today, the Dales Pony is used mainly for riding, due to its great endurance and steady temperament. They are used for daylong treks and long-distance rides, as well as dressage, driving, jumping events, and eventing. Small herds still roam free in the Eastern Pennines.
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Horse breeds
"Dales Pony"