Disclaimer: this is my personal home page: any views expressed here are purely my own, not representative of the University of Dundee, the Highland Pony Society, or any other body.
Having searched in vain for a UK Dales pony site, I thought I would give a mention to my home area's native breed. Pure bred Dales are relatively few in number and remain on the Rare Breeds list, though they have risen from Cat 2 (Rare) to Cat 3 (Vulnerable) in recent years.
Originally bred for the Pennine lead industry as pack ponies, the Dales is a great weight carrier, but combines this with a superb trotting action which made it popular for harness racing. In addition, like most native breeds, the Dales was used as an all rounder by farmers.
A typical Dales is around 14-14'2 hands high and is most likely to be black, though there are some grey and bay ponies about. There are strict limits to the amount of white acceptable on a Dales pony - the hind legs may be white to, but not above, the fetlock, no white is permitted on the forelegs, and a small star and snip is allowed, but not a blaze. The feet must be hard and well shaped - sure-footedness is one of the characteristics of the breed which had to carry heavy packs across the dales and moors of northern England. Movement is also important and the typical pony will have a long and full mane and tail.
Registered ponies are registered in one of 3 Sections, with individuals being registered according to parentage, markings and sex. The original Sec D Register closed in 1971, with offspring of these mares moving up to Section C if by a registered stallion and correctly marked. Section B ponies are out of a Section C by a registered stallion and correct in conformation/marking, or out of Sec A mares and incorrectly marked. Sec A ponies are out of a Sec A or B mare, by a registered stallion and correctly marked. Colts may only be licenced if out of a Sec A mare and correct themselves. All other colts must be gelded. A partbred register is also maintained, but with the breed still vulnerable, mare owners are encouraged to breed purebreds. That said, Dales stallions crossed onto other breed mares produce good quality horses.
Nowadays Dales ponies are used for riding, driving, trekking, and long distance riding. They have done well in performance classes, dressage, cross country, hunting etc. Their weight carrying ability makes them suitable for adult or teenage riders, and they are good at all PC activities.
As you may be able to tell, I love Dales ponies, having ridden one as a child and several since at trekking centres and the like. I nearly bought a broodmare recently, but for various reasons did not proceed. That is not to say that I won't succumb to temptation one day, particularly having seen Bill Ireland's Kilmannan ponies recently, which brought back memories of the gorgeous Raygill Jubilee (now sadly dead). I visited Raygill a couple of years ago, looking for a livery for my Highlands in the event of moving back to my home area, and saw a whole ride of Dales coming back from a hack. A superb sight. They also had a new 2 or 3yo colt at the time, which I liked, but can't recall the name of. I wonder how he got on, as he had been brought up on the moor and was all but untouched.
Spring and summer shows are held in Teesdale, the spring show in Barnard Castle, the summer one at Barningham. I have never been to these shows, despite living in the area until I was 19 and still visiting home occasionally. One day.
An article in the Teesdale Mercury noted that 2 Dales ponies were born in the USA, following the export of three fillies and a colt to Oregon 4 years ago. So maybe the breed will take off in the States too. Now there is a formal body there, it looks like the Dales is set to make his very impressive mark over the Atlantic.
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E-mail: a.douglas@dundee.ac.uk
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Copyright ©A Douglas 1997 |