Five Dartmoor ponies have arrived at the National Trust's Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire to help restore the landscape through conservation grazing. The rare native breed will tackle thistles and vigorous plants that other livestock cannot manage effectively.
The three mares and two geldings are working across four interlinked fields of newly created wood pasture. Their grazing creates optimal conditions for wildflowers and grasses to thrive beneath scattered trees.
Unlike cattle, which damage young tree guards, or sheep, which graze too selectively, Dartmoor ponies are ideal for this conservation work. The hardy, gentle grazers began munching thistles within minutes of arriving.
Dave Hassall, farm and countryside manager at Wimpole Estate, said: «The Dartmoors are here as part of our conservation grazing programme. They're hardy, gentle grazers, ideal for this kind of habitat work. We've already seen how their grazing helps reduce weeds and encourages a richer mix of grasses and wildflowers. Within minutes of arriving, one of them was happily munching on a thistle, which is exactly what we were hoping for!»
Five-Year Restoration Program
The Estate has planted thousands of trees over the past five years on former non-productive arable land. The initiative aims to re-establish traditional parkland habitats across the Cambridgeshire property.
Once the ponies prepare the ground and move on, grazing cattle will follow to continue supporting wildlife and contribute to food production.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
