The Dales is native to the eastern Pennines of northern Britain. They have great stamina and used to be used as a pack animal. Typical Pennine scenery. ...

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. Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Friesian (alternate spelling: Frisian) can refer to: An inhabitant of Frisia (consisting of the province of Friesland in the Netherlands, and portions of the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany) - see Frisians The language spoken in Frisia - see Frisian language A breed of horse from Frisia, see... For other places with this name, see Northumberland (disambiguation) Northumberland is a ceremonial and administrative county in northern England. ... Durham (IPA: locally, in RP) is a small city in the north east of England. ...

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. Horse gaits are the different methods by which a horse, either naturally or through human training, moves itself. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

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. Clydesdale (Dail Chluaidh in Scottish Gaelic) was formerly (1975-96) a local government district in the Strathclyde Region of Scotland. ... For alternative meanings see: Norfolk (disambiguation) Norfolk (pronounced NOR-fk) is a low-lying county in East Anglia in the east of southern England. ... Yorkshire as a traditional county. ... The Welsh Cob (Section D) is the largest of the Welsh horse breeds, not less than 13. ... A stallion is an ungelded male horse after reaching the age of sexual maturity, usually between two and three years of age. ...

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. The fundamental purpose of Dressage (a French term meaning training) is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horses natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. ... Driving is the controlled operation of a vehicle, which is usually a motor vehicle such as a truck, bus, motorcycle, or car. ... Eventing, is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ...

External links

• The Dales Pony Society
• Message board for dales pony enthusiasts