Breeding Managment

There is no consistent breeding management of ponies on the moor. In many areas, animals are not regularly removed for rudimentary health care, nor to select suitable breeding individuals. The result is that conformational defects and other abnormalities are perpetuated, causing unecessary suffering. The economic value of the animals is also reduced.Note the disproportionate size of head and body compared to legs of the pony pictured on the left.
The lack of breeding management in some areas means that some stallions can cover their daughters, resulting in poor genetic health of the animals.

The declining pony market has led to the introduction of larger, more finely bred animals on Bodmin Moor. Winter moorland grazing consists principally of gorse and can support only small, hardy animals. The larger animals are often found in the most appalling condition at the end of the winter. Although the market for small moorland ponies has almost disappeared, their breeding continues, seemingly unchecked.
SWEP welcomes the aims of groups such as 'Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony' who are attempting to rediscover the traits and qualities of our true native ponies. Their work will ensure that that we do not undervalue the rich genetic resource within the herds that have been bred over generations.

Disease Managment

SWEP is concerned that diseases affecting equines can spread rapidly within moorland herds (where parasite infection and poor nutrition reduce their resistance to disease), and from there to domestic horses and ponies.
The difficulty in tracing owners is just one of the obstacles facing an agency attempting to control such a disease.
This scenario has already been realised on Bodmin Moor, where Strangles spread rapidly within the herds roaming the moors, villages and lanes. Predictably, the disease spread to some domestic horses resulting in considerable distress and expense for the owners. Unfortunately as the disease was not notifiable, no action was taken by government agencies to prevent its spread.
The pony on the right has Strangles (similar to mumps in humans) , a highly infectious bacterial infection.
As with people, the effects of the disease can be far more serious than is commonly supposed - even fatal . Note the severe swelling compared to the (as yet) uninfected pony in the background. This pony was having difficulty breathing due to abcesses obstructing the windpipe.

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