Dartmoor ponies deployed to revive Cambridgeshire's historic parkland habitats

Five Dartmoor ponies have started grazing at Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire to help restore traditional parkland habitats. The animals, part of a conservation programme, began work immediately by munching thistles just minutes after arriving on site.

The group consists of three mares and two geldings, now spread across four connected fields. Their task is to graze selectively, creating ideal conditions for wildflowers and grasses to flourish beneath scattered trees. Unlike cows or sheep, these hardy ponies avoid damaging young tree guards and graze more evenly.

The 120-hectare woodland pasture area has been developed over the past five years on former arable land. Thousands of trees have already been planted as part of the Estate's restoration scheme. Once the ponies prepare the ground, cattle will follow to maintain the habitat and support both wildlife and food production.

Dave Hassall, the farm and countryside manager at Wimpole, oversees the programme. He notes that Dartmoor ponies are particularly suited for this work due to their gentle grazing habits and resilience in varied conditions.

The project aims to revive historic parkland landscapes while boosting biodiversity. By combining tree planting with careful grazing, the Estate expects to create a balanced ecosystem. The ponies' role marks a key step in the ongoing restoration effort across the Cambridgeshire property.