After spending a lot of time learning about Dartmoor ponies, Natalie decided to set up an organisation to take on Dartmoor ponies that are left unsold at the annual pony markets. All the ponies on Dartmoor belong to farmers who have commoners grazing rights. Every year, the ponies are rounded up, and the farmers sort out which ponies are theirs. They are all inspected for health, and the majority of the foals are taken away from their mothers to be sold at market. Unfortunately, for some time now, the market value of the ponies has been very low and foals have been known to sell for as little as 10p. The destination of the foals sold at market is unknown and causes some concern as it has been rumoured that some are sold for their skins or meat. The markets have introduced a reserve price of eight guineas now, but this means that some of the ponies just don't sell. If the foals are not sold their future does not look promising as the farmers can't put them back on to the moor. This is where the Dartmoor Pony Rescue Centre (DPRC) comes in. The organisation, set up by Natalie in September 2005, takes on the ponies that are left unsold at the markets. The ponies are often as young as three months old, so can be in a bad condition, and often traumatised from being taken away from their mothers so early, and the stress of the markets. (The recommended age for weaning is six months, though in the wild some ponies stay with their mothers until they are over a year old.) The aim of the DPRC is to work with these ponies getting them used to being around people. Eight ponies were taken on this year, four of which (Reggie, Socks, Basil and Star) it is hoping to re-home. The other four ponies (Pixie, Trixie, Merry and Pippin) will form a base herd and will stay with the DPRC throughout their lives. Having a base herd will help any new ponies taken on by the DPRC to get over the stress they have suffered. The ponies have needed daily work to help increase their confidence and they are doing well. Kathryn and Natalie have spent a lot of time with them while they happily munch their hay and gradually the ponies have allowed themselves to be stroked all over and finally have headcollars on. Every day they get more and more inquisitive and brave. When they first arrived they would run away to the corner of the field to hide, now they whinny at the sight of people and come over and say hello. Some of the ponies are more timid than others, Merry will walk straight up to people and put is nose in anything including carrier bags, Trixie however is very timid and needs a lot of patience and slow movements to enable a person to stroke her. Robert Brisland of The Bull Inn has been up to visit on many occasions and supports the organisation. He has chosen to sponsor Reggie a black colt. He is one of the smallest of the ponies and has a sweet, kind nature. All eight ponies are now happy to wear headcollars and Kathryn and Natalie are working on getting them used to being led around, being groomed and having their feet picked up. They also hope to find local families who are willing to take the foals on loan. The DPRC will be giving the pony's new carers a lot of support and help, and will visit the ponies regularly to check that they are well and happy. Every year the DPRC will be taking on more foals that are unsold, but the eventual aim is that by promoting the ponies, there will no longer be ponies that don't sell at market. The DPRC are currently supported by donations and sponsorships from the general public. All eight ponies are looking for sponsors. The six boys need to be castrated this year and they are looking to raise £500 to enable them to do this. So far the income they get just covers the rent of the field and hay. For a £12 yearly sponsorship you would get a certificate of sponsorship, a photo and profile of your pony and a birthday and Christmas card from your pony. Sponsors will also receive an invitation to the open day (planned for spring) and can get regular updates on their ponies on the website http://www.dprc.org.uk">www.dprc.org.uk. If you are interested in sponsoring a pony or wish to make a donation, either visit The Bull Inn and pick up a leaflet – you can fill the form in there and/or leave a donation and it will be picked up – or contact Natalie Torr, Dartmoor Pony Rescue Centre, Woodland Cottage, Wickeridge, Woodland, Ashburton, TQ13 7JT.