| For the horse lover, there is much of interest in | | | | thought to be one of the current closest breeds |
| Devon. | | | | to the wild horses of Europe. Again, like on |
| To start with, Devon has two superb | | | | Dartmoor, the ponies are owned by local farmers |
| racecourses. The first, at Exeter, is located on | | | | and are allowed to graze on the common land of |
| the top of Haldon Hill with superb views both over | | | | the moor all year. |
| Exeter and Dartmoor. The racecourse doesn't | | | | Exmoor ponies have very distinctive features |
| just cater for racing: family days out mingle with | | | | including buff colour on their underparts and also |
| exciting and thrilling high class steeplechases. Some | | | | around their eyes and nose; by contrast, the |
| famous horses have raced here - think of Desert | | | | mane, tail and points are black. The rest of their |
| Orchid and Best Mate, for example! And Newton | | | | body can vary from smoky-brown to red-brown |
| Abbot racecourse also has a reputation as a | | | | or dark brown. The summer coat of the Exmoor |
| holiday racing venue. | | | | pony is fine and glossy but during the winter |
| For anyone interested in shows and equestrian | | | | these hardy ponies grow a thick protective coat. |
| events Bicton Arena, near Budleigh Salterton, | | | | The average height of the pony is around 12 |
| offers a huge selection of things to enjoy. There | | | | hands. |
| are grass arenas, stables, an all-weather practice | | | | The Lundy Island Pony is a breed of pony from |
| ring, a cross country course and other high class | | | | the offshore island of Lundy, created by the |
| facilities. Bicton is home to horse trials, show | | | | exotic crossing of New Forest Pony mares and |
| jumping and even one day events. | | | | pure Arabian stallions. The hardships of life on the |
| The Donkey Sanctuary and Devon Horse and | | | | island has made these ponies strong and hardy. |
| Pony Sanctuary is a place of interest to all, not | | | | A more unusual form of horse-related activity is |
| just horse lovers. Located in the gently rolling hills | | | | to be found in the Grand Western Horseboat |
| of East Devon, all unwanted donkeys are lovingly | | | | Company which gives you the chance to explore |
| cared for. There is also a wonderful Horse and | | | | the Grand Canal near Tiverton. These traditionally |
| Pony Sanctuary at Manaton, near Dartmoor. You | | | | painted barges are - as you may have guessed - |
| can get more details of all these venues at the | | | | horse drawn. When you step aboard, you move |
| Devon Visitor Guide Website (see details below). | | | | back to a slower way of life, where the pace is |
| Dartmoor National Park is, as you may well know, | | | | dicated by the rhythm of the horse. |
| the natural home of the native breed of | | | | This company is one of the few left in Britain |
| Dartmoor Hill Pony. The ponies are hardy - they | | | | which uses horse-drawn barges - they operate in |
| have to be, for they live on the moor all year | | | | all-weathers, a tribute to the hardy beasts which |
| round. However, they are not truly wild, because | | | | pull the boats along! |
| they are the property of the farmers who graze | | | | The Miniature Pony Centre near to |
| them on the commons. The ponies are reputed | | | | Moretonhampstead offers the opportunity to |
| to have lived on Dartmoor for approximately | | | | meet and touch a range of miniature ponies and |
| 3,500 years - they were mentioned in historical | | | | donkeys. It's a great day out for all the fmaily! |
| documents in AD 1012. | | | | Life as a donkey is easy when the local council |
| In the 1800s the Dartmoor ponies were used to | | | | regulates your working hours! Such is the case for |
| transport stone and granite. They have an easier | | | | donkeys on Exmouth Beach - they take you up |
| life these days - though other issues affect them, | | | | and down the two miles of golden sand at |
| over-grazing being one, for there are now over | | | | Exmouth. |
| 3000 ponies on Dartmoor. | | | | And last but not least, carriage driving is fast |
| The ponies have also been used for show | | | | becoming more and more popular. Devon has |
| jumping, cross country, as working hunter ponies, | | | | many centres which provide tuition in the ancient |
| for one day events, for carriage driving, and of | | | | art of horse drawn carriage driving. Among these, |
| course as the ever-popular family pony. You can | | | | the one we recommend is the National Trust |
| find details of how to learn more about Dartmoor | | | | centre at Arlington Court, where there is a superb |
| ponies on the Devon Guide Website. | | | | carriage collection and courses on carriage driving |
| Equally, the Exmoor National Park is home to the | | | | are available. |
| very distinctive Exmoor Pony. This breed is | | | | |