Origin & Early History:

 

Dales Ponies are native to the north of England, traditionally occupying the rugged hills, moors and valleys to the east of the Pennine Range.

 

Their origins date back to the Bronze Age (2700-800BC) when native British ponies were first domesticated by man for use in warfare, transportation and trade.

 

During the Roman Occupation of Britain (43-410AD) the Roman Auxilary Cavalry had frequent skirmishes with many Celtic Tribes, not least the mounted warriors and charioteers of the Brigantes, who occupied the eastern Pennine region, and the Picts to the north of Hadrian's Wall. The Romans were so impressed with the stamina, courage and spirit of the native British  ponies, they exported many back to Italy to improve their own stock. As time progressed, the barbarian tribes gradually became subjugated and warfare was replaced by trade. It is thought that the Roman Cavalry stallions (a mix of heavy German stock and Iberian Galecian or Asturian pacers) were crossed with native British mares, leading to the creation of a robust general purpose pony which persisted for centuries and later became known as the 'Galloway'.

 

From Roman times to the mid nineteenth century, a lead-mining industry flourished in the north of Britain and Galloways were the packhorse of choice. These ponies transported pigs (ingots) of lead weighing 16 stone to the ports on the north-east coast, frequently travelling 200 miles a week over very difficult terrain.  Replacement packhorses were bred near the mines, crossing the strongest and best Galloways with native ponies running free on the hills. Gradually, the ponies became 'standardised' - similar in type and size, dark in colour, and renowned for their speed, sure-footedness and endurance in the harshest of conditions. These ponies are the recognised forebears of the Dales Pony that exists today.

 

With the arrival of the railway in the Tyne Valley in the early 1800s, the demand for packhorses declined dramatically, but the Dales Pony was already in established use on the small farms of the region. Thanks to their hardy, native roots, these ponies were able to thrive on the bleak uplands and sparse grazing of the dales. Farmers found them to be an excellent general-purpose animal for carting, ploughing and leading fodder to livestock stranded high on the snow-covered hills in winter.

 

With the rapid improvement of the road network in the late 18th century, there was a huge demand for fast horses to harness the mail and stagecoaches. People began to selectively breed for stamina and speed, crossing the celebrated Norfolk Cob, the best of whom descended from Shales the Original (a great-grandson of the Darley Arabian) with native stock. This stallion is the foundation sire of most of the World's finest trotting breeds, the Dales Pony included.

 

Farmers from the northern regions of Britain loved to participate in trotting races, so they selected the very best Norfolk Cobs to mate with their own trotting ponies. This lead to the creation of the stylish 'Yorkshire Roadster' which in turn was used to add extra sparkle to the Dales Pony trot ; a characteristic of the breed which has endured and is much admired today.  

 

20th Century History:

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