DARTMOOR hill ponies gelded as part of a programme by a local charity to reduce overbreeding have been released onto the moors.

Lee Moor charity Hill Pony Resources, which works for the welfare of the animals across Dartmoor and elsewhere, arranged for a group of colts to be castrated last autumn.

With the blessing of the farmer that owns the animals, and help from South Moor Vets, the charity raised money and carried out the operations. The geldings have now been turned out on the moor, where they can live without adding to the overbreeding problem and subsequent need for culling.

Hill Pony Resources aims to raise the profile of the creatures, focusing on ’their true worth’ as hardy, adaptable ponies which make excellent first rides for children, and as icons of Dartmoor National Park which attract thousands of visitors. The charity hopes that in so doing, the market value of the animals will be increased.

Hill Pony Resources finds homes for unwanted ponies that might otherwise be under threat from culling, and has now begun to address the problem of overbreeding.

A spokesman for the charity said: ’Hill Pony Resources recognises that gelding cost can be a barrier for farmers and potential new owners and our future plans include fundraising so that we can help with gelding in some cases.

’This would enable ponies to stand a better chance of finding homes as well as ponies to remain on the moor without the need to be culled.’