Dales Pony

ABOUT THE BREED

The Dales Pony is a native of the upper dales of the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish Border, where a lead mining industry flourished from Roman times until the mid-nineteenth century. The favoured breeding grounds have always been the upper dales of the rivers Tyne, Wear, Allen, Tees and Swale.

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The Dales Pony was a comfortable riding animal, strong enough for draught work and able to thrive on the bleak uplands of the dales. These abilities were not lost on farmers, who found in them all that was required to work the small farms as the seasons came round. They could pull a ton in a cart or coup; were sturdy shepherds ponies, capable of covering great distances on the fells and were able to carry burdens of hay up to 12 stones, often plus a rider and when necessary, in deep snow. A pair could step out in the plough or reaper binder; and having a fast trot, could take the farmer to market in style and also give a days hunting, being willing and clever jumpers. Thus, when the lead mining industry began to decline, the Dales Pony found a niche on the farms of the dales. As the mines were enlarged, and drifts used, many ponies were also taken for work in the coal and lead mines of the North-East.

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Dales Ponies were bred for a specific job in a harsh environment.  When the job changed, they were successfully adapted for other uses, and today the ponies can demonstrate all the qualities and abilities which brought their forebears such renown.  The combination of strength, agility, thrift, hardiness and high courage, with good conformation and a calm, intelligent nature, makes the Dales Pony a first-class riding and driving pony with all the abilities of a true all-rounder.​

CONFORMATION & TYPE

These very hardy ponies are ideally 14.h.h. to 14.2.h.h. Colours are predominantly black, with some brown, bay grey and, rarely, roan. White markings are allowed as a star and/or a snip, and white to the hind fetlocks, and ponies displaying more white than this are down graded to Section B. Dales Ponies are renowned for the quality of their hard, well-shaped feet and legs, which should display beautiful dense, flat bone. Their action is straight, high and true. They are good movers, really using their knees and hocks for powerful drive. They have tremendous stamina, an iron constitution, high courage and great intelligence, combined with a calm temperament. The head should be neat, showing no dish, and broad between the eyes. The muzzle is relatively small, no coarseness about the jaw and throat, and incurving pony ears. A long foretop, main and tail of straight, silky hair, and a muscular neck of ample length for a bold outlook should be set into well-laid, sloping shoulders. Withers not too fine. Stallions carry a well-arched crest. The body should be short-coupled, with strong loins and well-sprung ribs. Short, well- developed forearms are set into a broad chest. Quarters are lengthy and powerful, with very muscular second thighs above clean, broad, flat hocks, well let down. The cannons should display an average of 8” to 9” of flat, flinty bone with well-developed tendons. The pasterns should be of good length, with very flexible joints; the hooves large, round and open at the heels with well-developed frogs, and with ample straight, silky feather.

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BREED CHARACTERISTICS

A strong, active pony, full of quality and spirit. True pony character: alert, high-couraged, intelligent and kind.

HEIGHT: The preferred height range is 14 hands. (142.2 cms) to 14.2 hands (146.2 cms).

COLOURS: Black, brown, grey, bay and roan

MARKINGS: A white star and/or snip on the head. White to the fetlocks of the hind legs only. Mismarked ponies showing more white than this are registered as section B in the stud book and placed at the discretion of the judges.

HEAD: Neat and ponylike, showing no dish. Broad between the eyes, which should be bright and alert. Pony ears slightly incurving. Long foretop of straight hair down the face.

NECK: Strong and of ample length. Stallions should display a bold outlook with a well-arched crest. Throat and jaws clean-cut. Long, flowing mane.

SHOULDERS: Well-laid, long, sloping shoulders with well-developed muscles. Withers not too fine.

BODY: Short-coupled and deep through the chest, with well-sprung ribs.

HIND QUARTERS: Deep, lengthy and powerful. Second thighs well-developed and very muscular. Tail well set on, not high, with plenty of long, straight hair reaching the ground.

HOCKS: Broad, Flat and clean. Well let down with plenty of dense flat bone below.

LEGS, FEET and JOINTS: The very best of feet and legs, with flexible joints, showing quality with no coarseness. The cannons should display 8"- 9" (20.3cms - 22.9cms) of flat flinty bone and well defined tendons. Pasterns should be nicely sloping and of good length. Ample silky feather on the heels. Large, round feet open at the heels, with well developed frogs.

FOREARMS: Set square. Short and very muscular, with broad, well-developed knees.

ACTION: Clean, high, straight and true. Going forward on “all fours” with tremendous energy. The knee and hock are lifted, the hind legs flexed well under the body for powerful drive.

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TEMPERAMENT

Intelligent, willing, dependable, and friendly 

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DISCIPLINES

Dressage, harness, show jumping, eventing, fox hunting, endurance riding, and various showing classes.

Courtesy of The Dales Pony Society UK