Both the Dartmoor Hill ponies, and Quantocks, are not distinct breeds as such, but a specific type of pony from mixed origin. Their ancestory is predominantly that of native pony descent; both of these types display prominent Native Pony characteristics.

They can be found roaming free on their native environment in the West Country, where they have been introduced to the moorland areas for conservation grazing purposes.

Dartmoor Hill ponies
The Dartmoor Hill ponies are a common sight on the high moors of Dartmoor; owned and bred by the local farmers, they play a vital role in conservation as they help to keep tree invasion at bay, and the gorse under control. They are very effective, the ponies do not actually eat the gorse bushes and trees, they simply chew down the new shoots.

Each Autumn, ponies are rounded up with the purpose of weaning foals, general health inspection, and sorting ponies to be sold on. Ponies are then returned to the moors until January, where last years foals will be brought in for the coldest months and hay fed until the weather improves.

As the Dartmoor Hill pony is of mixed origin, you will see ponies of various colours including piebald, skewbald and a range of duns. This wide range of colours is mainly due to the strong Shetland pony influence in Dartmoor Hill pony breeding. As in the early 20th century, Shetland ponies were crossed with Dartmoor ponies for pit pony breeding. The Dartmoor Hill pony is in itself a distinctive type and should not be confused the registered Dartmoor ponies who are not of mixed origin.

The main hazard to these wild ponies is road traffic.

Much of the moorlands are not fenced from the roadside, it is not uncommon to see ponies, sheep or cows wandering across the roads. Anyone visiting Dartmoor should take the utmost care when driving, in order to protect these animals.
It is also advised that visitors do not encourage ponies to the roadside with food or treats, doing such will surely increase the risk of accidents.

Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust
http://www.dpht.co.uk/

The friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony
http://www.dartmoorhillpony.com

Dartmoor Pony Rescue Centre
http://www.dprc.org.uk/home.html

Quantock ponies
First introduced to the Quantock area for conservation grazing purposes, the ponies that roam the Quantock Hills are stongly influenced by their neighbouring Exmoors; they are mostly bay in colour.

In the earlier days, a one-eyed stallion named Waterfall dominated the herd, being such a character he was much loved by the locals. Quantocks were once a much sought after performance pony that they also excelled in the show ring. It is said that a lone stallion of Arabian blood curently roams the Quantock Hills. Every September ponies are rounded up and brought down from the Hills for the annual sales. Early Quantock pony sales were held at Bridgewater Fair.