Dales Pony

Dales are native ponies in northern England in the upper Dales river valleys at the eastern side of the Pennine Hills and originally bred as a pack animals for the lead industry, working under and over ground. They were also used for all kinds of farm work and by the army. It is believed that Dales Ponies are descendants from horses of the Roman period when Friesian horses were introduced into England, possibly giving the breed its predominantly black colour. During the 19th century Norfolk Roadster, Welsh Cob and Clydesdale blood was introduced producing a true pony with excellent temperament, great strength and tremendously active paces. In 1916 the Dales Pony Improvement Society was founded and a stud book was included in the National Pony Society's Stud Book. Dales Ponies were extremely popular during World War I and World War II, but many ponies were killed and the rest were left behind and eaten by the starving population. With the full swing of the mechanisation working ponies were no longer needed and sent to the slaughter houses in the thousands. In 1955 only four filly foals were registered. Thanks to the dedication of some breeders and the help of the Dales Pony Improvement Society the breed has survived and today their numbers are in the six hundreds.