About the Dales Pony

The Dales pony is a mountain and moorland pony native to the United Kingdom.

Previously a working pony linked to lead mining in the Dales area of England - from the Derbyshire peaks to the Scottish borders - the modern Dales pony is known for its strength, hardiness, stamina, courage, intelligence, and good disposition.

These hardy ponies are ideally 14hh to 14.2hh and are predominantly black, with some brown, bay grey and, rarely, roan.

White markings are limited to a star and/or a snip, and white to the hind fetlocks. Ponies displaying more white than this are down graded to Section B.

Dales Ponies are renowned for the quality of their hard, well-shaped feet and legs, which should display beautiful dense, flat bone. They are good movers, really using their knees and hocks for powerful drive with action that is straight, high and true.

With tremendous stamina, an iron constitution, high courage and great intelligence, combined with a calm temperament, the Dales pony is an excellent riding, driving, and working pony.

Dales ponies are unbeatable at walk, with the stamina and determination to keep going over long distances, making them favorites for trekking and long distance rides.

Willing and clever, Dales ponies compete very successfully in jumping and performance classes, cross country events, and dressage competitions.

They have a bold temperament, great presence and an eye-catching fast trot, together with stamina, agility and a calm, sensible nature.

Despite their small stature, they can easily carry heavy adults in addition to kindly carrying children, however, the Dales pony is best suited to competent adult and teenage riders.

Breed Standard

General

A strong, active pony, full of quality and spirit.

True pony character. Alert, high-couraged, intelligent and kind.

Height

The preferred height range is 14 hands. (142.2 cms) to 14.2 hands (146.2 cms).†

Head

Neat and ponylike. Broad between the eyes, which should be bright and alert. Pony ears slightly incurving. Long foretop of straight hair down the face.

Neck

Strong and of ample length. Stallions should display a bold outlook with a well-arched crest. Throat and jaws clean-cut. Long, flowing mane.

Shoulders

Well-laid, long, sloping shoulders with well-developed muscles. Withers not too fine.

Body

Short-coupled and deep through the chest, with well-sprung ribs.

Hindquarters

Deep, lengthy and powerful. Second thighs well-developed and very muscular. Tail well set on, not high, with plenty of long, straight hair reaching the ground.

Hocks

Broad, Flat and clean. Well let down with plenty of dense flat bone below.

Forearms

Set square. Short and very muscular, with broad, well-developed knees.

Feet, Legs and Joints

The very best of feet and legs, with flexible joints, showing quality with no coarseness. The cannons should display 8"-9" (20.3cms - 22.9cms) of flat flinty bone and well defined tendons. Pasterns should be nicely sloping and of good length. Ample silky feather on the heels. Large, round feet open at the heels, with well developed frogs.

Color and Markings

Black, Brown, Grey, Bay and Roan

A white star and/or snip on the head. White fetlocks to the hind legs only. Mismarked ponies will be down-graded to the grading-up register.

Action

Clean, high, straight and true. Going forward on “all fours” with tremendous energy. The knee and hock are lifted, the hind legs flexed well under the body for powerful drive.