If you happen to’re hoping to purchase a Dales pony for the present ring or to easily take pleasure in, then this information on what to search for is the perfect place to begin.
What’s a Dales?
The Dales pony is likely one of the UK’s native breeds. In accordance with the Dales Pony Society (DPS), the Dales is a local of the higher dales of the japanese slopes of the Pennine vary, from the Excessive Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills close to the Scottish Border.
Dales ponies ideally stand between 14hh to 14.2hh, however there isn’t a higher top restrict on the breed.
Dales ponies are predominantly black however some are brown, bay gray and, extra not often, roan. White markings, equivalent to a star and/or a snip, and white to the hind fetlocks, are allowed. Ponies displaying extra white than this are down graded from part A to part B.
The DPS gives the next breed normal to comply with:
Head: Neat and pony-like. Broad between the eyes, which ought to be vibrant and alert. Pony ears barely incurving. Lengthy foretop of straight hair down the face.
Neck: Sturdy and of ample size. Stallions ought to show a daring outlook with a well-arched crest. Throat and jaws clean-cut. Lengthy, flowing mane.
Shoulders: Effectively-laid, lengthy, sloping shoulders with well-developed muscle groups. Withers not too high quality.
Physique: Brief-coupled and deep by way of the chest, with well-sprung ribs.
Hindquarters: Deep, prolonged and highly effective. Second thighs well-developed and really muscular. Tail effectively set on, not excessive, with loads of lengthy, straight hair reaching the bottom.
Hocks: Broad, Flat and clear. Effectively let down with loads of dense flat bone under.
Forearms: Set sq.. Brief and really muscular, with broad, well-developed knees.
Toes, legs and joints: The perfect of toes and legs, with versatile joints, displaying high quality with no coarseness. The cannons ought to show eight to 9 inch (20.3cm — 22.9cm) of flat, flinty bone and effectively outlined tendons. Pasterns ought to be properly sloping and of excellent size. Ample silky feather on the heels. Giant, spherical toes open on the heels, with effectively developed frogs.
Motion: The Dales is outlined by its flashy, energetic motion. The knee and hock ought to be lifted and the hind legs ought to be flexed effectively beneath the physique for highly effective drive.
Dales ponies are fashionable all-rounders, succeeding in a number of disciplines. The DPS says: “Dales ponies had been bred for a selected job in a harsh surroundings. When the job modified, they had been efficiently tailored for different makes use of, and in the present day the ponies can show all of the qualities and talents which introduced their forebears such renown. The mixture of energy, agility, thrift, hardiness and excessive braveness, with good conformation and a peaceful, clever nature, makes the Dales pony a first-class driving and driving pony with all the skills of a real all-rounder.”
What ought to I search for in a Dales pony?
Anna Pennell and her household breed Dales ponies beneath the Nipna prefix. Ponies from the stud have gained in any respect main fixtures in addition to at breed reveals. Their stallion Nipna Midnight Rambler was topped supreme M&M champion at London Worldwide in 2023.
“No matter pony I’m I begin with the standard of the toes and the decrease limbs,” explains Anna. “They should have high quality bone with a good-sized, sturdy foot. Hocks and joints are so essential to any breed.
“Working our means up the horse, I’d search for a very good shoulder, particularly if in search of a future ridden pony. If on the lookout for a ridden animal, I’d like barely longer pasterns, however not too lengthy as they should stand as much as work. The angle of the pastern also needs to match the size of the shoulder. This provides them the true Dales trot and comfy journey that they’re identified for.”
Anna additionally says that Dales ponies are identified to be gradual maturers in comparison with different natives, so going right into a viewing with an open thoughts is important: “Don’t count on most four-year-olds to be able to exit and do all of it. I might not be anxious if a six or seven-year-old was immature, both, as most of them don’t come into their prime till they’re no less than eight years previous, however some take even longer. In fact, there are the odd exceptions to this rule, however they’re usually late maturers that require time and endurance to develop each mentally and bodily.
“The motion of a Dales ought to be akin to a wagon wheel,” Anna continues. “They need to transfer up and journey forwards. We don’t desire a pony to ‘potato-mash’ up and down, or daisy reduce. The most effective of the perfect have a tendency to maneuver from the get go, but when I noticed a pleasant two or three-year-old with fairly common motion I might not write it off. They will usually develop their motion under-saddle and it will probably take time for them to strengthen and grow to be extra highly effective.”
When requested if potential patrons ought to search for a bit A or a bit B Dales, Anna advises: “I’ve no points with part Bs — there are profitable part Bs out and about on the circuit. If you wish to present then a pony with 4 white socks and a blaze just isn’t preferrred, however they’re further markings on the finish of the day, not a conformational defect. If you happen to don’t need to present, a bit A or a bit B might be appropriate for you as Dales ponies usually make tremendous all-rounders that may do something and all the things.”
I need to purchase a Dales, however the place ought to I look?
There are on-line sale websites equivalent to Whickr which have Dales ponies marketed once they come up on the market.
Anna says that as a result of reality the Dales is a uncommon and in demand breed, they’re not often marketed on the open market.
“An excellent place to begin is to get in contact with the DPS,” says Anna. “Then, it’s at all times a good suggestion to go to breed reveals and converse with breeders who may need inventory at the moment accessible or arising on the market within the close to future. I might not count on many ponies to be marketed on gross sales websites all year long, although; as soon as folks pay money for a Dales they not often need to allow them to go!”
How a lot ought to I count on to pay?
The worth of a Dales pony will rely upon a number of components, together with breeding, age and competitors report.
“On common, we’re at the moment promoting colt foals for round £2,000 and filly foals for round £3,000,” Anna says. “When you’ve got a rising 4 or five-year-old prepared for breaking you might count on them to promote for between £4,000 and £5,000, maybe extra. A longtime present pony may simply fetch between £10,000 and £15,000. That is an estimate for ponies ok to indicate, although you may actually discover ponies for much less, and for extra.”
What occurs after I’ve agreed to purchase a pony?
If you happen to determine to buy a pony it’s time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, one thing that’s strongly really helpful.
It’s essential to let the vet know previous to the vetting what you plan to make use of the horse for to allow them to assess it accordingly.
“I might have an older pony put by way of a two-stage vetting, no less than,” Anna says. “However numerous shopping for a pony is about widespread sense. If you happen to don’t really feel you’re skilled sufficient to decide on a pony’s well being and soundless, at all times search skilled recommendation.”
For extra data, you may learn H&H’s final information to purchasing a horse.
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