Dales Pony

The Dales pony is a native British pony from the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales of northern England. Bred for steep country, pack work, lead mining, farm jobs, and later riding and harness, it combines pony hardiness with unusual strength for its height. Most Dales ponies are black, though bay, brown, grey, and roan are also accepted in the breed standard. A typical Dales has a deep body, strong quarters, clean hard legs with feather, and straight, ground-covering action suited to both road work and rough tracks.

Modern Dales ponies are used for trekking, driving, pleasure riding, native pony classes, conservation grazing, and all-round family work. They are strong enough for many adult riders, but they are also intelligent, forward ponies that need fair handling and regular work. Their thriftiness calls for sensible pasture management, especially where grass is rich, and feathered legs should be checked in wet, muddy conditions. The breed remains numerically limited, so responsible breeding pays attention to genetic diversity, soundness, and the traditional active, weight-carrying type.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White