| Spirit
of the Dartmoor Pony |
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| Pride
of place in the exhibition is this sculpture by Suzie Marsh |
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An exhibition celebrating the symbol of Dartmoor - the Dartmoor pony
- is under way at the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown.
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There
used to be 30,000 ponies roaming Dartmoor...that number is now down
to around 2,000-3,000.
The symbol of Dartmoor which we once took for granted has come under
increasing threat - so it's hoped a multi-media exhibition about the
Dartmoor Pony will help to raise awareness about them.
The exhibition - called The Spirit of the Pony - is at the Dartmoor
National Park Authority's High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown
until 17th December 2003.
Where it all began...
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| The
tell-tale sign of ponies' existence on Dartmoor thousands of
years ago |
There
is evidence of ponies on Dartmoor going back thousands of years.
One of the items on show at the exhibition are footprints which were
discovered during excavations in the 1970s.
The footprints were found alongside a prehistoric field boundary which
has been dated at around 1,500 BC.
The first written record of ponies on Dartmoor was in 1012, with reference
to "wild horses" being at Ashburton. They are also mentioned
in the Domesday Book of 1086.
For centuries, the ponies were used for transportation. These days,
they are one of the moor's biggest tourist attactions.
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| This
painting by Sue Wills is on show |
The exhibition
includes information boards, which tell of how the native Dartmoor
Pony now intermingles with other breeds which have been introduced
to the moor in more recent times.
This explains why the ponies come in all shapes and sizes - and colours.
And, although they look wild, they're not. They are generally owned
by farmers.
The exhibition has paintings of Dartmoor Ponies, as well as woven
images - and the sculpture by Suzie Marsh (top of page) which is for
sale at almost £1,300.
You can also listen to an oral history of Dartmoor, called Moor
Memories, which has been compiled by the national park authority
in a special project which has recorded the memories of local residents.
How we can help the ponies
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| Painting
by Duncan Rice |
For a
number of reasons, the number of Dartmoor Ponies has declined alarmingly,
and the exhibition has information boards and leaflets advising how
we can all help - by driving carefully on the moor; not feeding the
animals; and by taking litter home.
A short film at the exhibition carries a grim warning: "The ponies
are a part of our heritage. Once wiped out, they will never be replaced."
The exhibition is free of charge, but donations are welcome.
There's a pony quiz for children to take part in, and special organised
walks on Saturday 29th November and Saturday 6th December. For details
of the walks, ring 01822 890414.
Spirit of the Pony
High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown
Daily: 10am to 4pm until 17th December
Phone: 01822 890414
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