How are Dartmoor ponies helping the Wimpole Estate?

Dartmoor ponies are grazing on invasive plants like thistles to encourage the growth of native wildflowers and grasses, restoring the estate's parkland.

What is the goal of the conservation grazing program at Wimpole Estate?

The goal is to re-establish traditional parkland habitats by using the ponies' grazing to manage vegetation and create conditions favorable for diverse plant and wildlife.

Why were Dartmoor ponies chosen for landscape restoration?

Dartmoor ponies are hardy, gentle grazers well-suited for conservation, effectively managing vegetation without damaging young trees like cattle might.

Home / Environment / Dartmoor Ponies Unleashed for Landscape Revival

Dartmoor Ponies Unleashed for Landscape Revival

6 Jan

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Summary

Five Dartmoor ponies now grazing at Wimpole Estate.
Ponies help restore parkland by eating thistles and weeds.
Conservation grazing supports wildflowers and grasses.

Dartmoor Ponies Unleashed for Landscape Revival

Five Dartmoor ponies, three mares and two geldings, have been introduced to the National Trust's Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire. Their arrival marks a significant step in a multi-year effort to restore traditional parkland habitats. The ponies are specifically deployed to graze vigorously on thistles and other invasive plants.

These native rare breed ponies are ideal for conservation grazing, as they are hardy and gentle. Their grazing helps clear the ground, reducing weeds and promoting the growth of a more diverse range of grasses and wildflowers. This work is crucial for establishing the desired conditions beneath the estate's scattered trees.

This initiative is part of a broader conservation grazing program. After preparing specific areas, the ponies will move on, making way for cattle grazing that further supports wildlife and contributes to food production. The estate has been actively re-establishing parkland habitats over the past five years by planting thousands of trees.