Don’t miss: Dartmoor ponies on BBC Radio 4

The plight of Dartmoor ponies is highlighted on BBC Radio 4’s Nature programme tonight

Huge publicity has surrounded the fate of Dartmoor ponies recently and tonight they become the topic of Radio 4’s Nature programme.

This ancient breed is thought to be over 2,000 years old, but excessive breeding on the moor has affected the ponies value and some have been sold at market for as little as £2.

Although Dartmoors can make good childrens’ ponies, the future for most ponies looks bleak as the pet food trade beckons. Nature will be examinating proposals for safeguarding the future for this native breed.

The programme starts at 9pm tonight on BBC Radio 4 and will be repeated tomorrow morning at 11am.

For more information visit BBC Radio 4’s website www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

• Click here to read about the Dartmoor Commoners Council’s plans to reduce overbreeding on the moor.
• Click here to read our Dartmoor pony breed profile.