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The Dales Pony
The Great Allrounder
The beautiful Dales pony is a rare breed, in fact it's actually categorised as 'critical' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Full of history and farming heritage, this beautiful animal feels like it's connected so deeply to nature - you only need to look at a Dales pony in the depths of winter to see how entwined they are with the seasons and the earth.
The Dales pony was very much a working animal, an invaluable part of the northern farm, it could work the fields, pull a plough, drive a cart and yet look smart enough to take into town or perhaps hunt - it really was the great allrounder. But with the negative effect of the wars and more drastically the age of mechanicalisation the numbers dwindled. Today these ponies turn their hand to anything; many have great success at dressage, they are also great jumpers, tucking their knees right up under themselves; do exceptionally well in the show ring, awesome at Trec and most importantly are just great fun.
The breed is supported by Dales Pony Society which is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the breed. There are a growing numbers of breeders, some traditional and steeped in history, and other newer breeders who also bring so much to the breed. The DPS website includes a ponies for sale page, information about the breed standard and it's history, details of shows and much more. You can become a member of the DPS, details about joining can also be found on the website. We hope that through The Herd Explore we can show how versatile and amazing these ponies are. They are strong, agile, kind and very clever. I am extremely proud of our Lowhouses Dales ponies and the breed.
Our Lowhouses Dales Ponies
Our ponies are Lowhouses, bred by Richie and Freda Longstaff in heart of County Durham. Our relationship spans ​over 12 years and if I ever have a question, I know who to ask. Their ponies have the most amazing temperament, which I put down to where they come from. Both Richie and Freda were long standing committee members of The Dales Pony Society and Richie, his father and his father before him all bred Dales ponies so I feel extremely privileged to have been blessed with their ponies.
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Occasionally Richie and Freda have foals and youngstock for sale. Contact Freda for more details: 07803238662
