The government has today (Wednesday 15 July) secured the long-term future of Dartmoor’s iconic pony populations through a package of new protections and financial support.

These heritage rare breeds and semi-wild hill ponies are a much-cherished part of Dartmoor’s landscape and cultural heritage. They also play an important role in conserving protected environmental sites on the moor – and the government is committed to ensuring their numbers do not fall below current levels.

From today, Dartmoor ponies will be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements, so that farmers do not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. This implements recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon Review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor. Pony numbers will also be monitored across the moor to ensure they remain stable.