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Dartmoor Ponies The ponies upon Dartmoor today are not truly wild animals. They all have owners, but the vast majority are untamed. Farmers mark their ponies to indicate ownership in a variety of ways. Ear cuts, ear tags, and cutting tail hair in distinctive patterns are all common methods. A pony on Dartmoor is not necessarily of the Dartmoor breed, either. Breeds such as the Arab, Shetland and Thoroughbred have all been crossbred with the Dartmoor pony at times to create the breed known today. The ponies live all year round on the moor, spending much of their time in small herds. Most foals are born between May and August. In late September or early October, the pony drifts are held. People on horseback, four wheeled bikes, or even on foot herd the ponies into a small area where they are separated by ownership. After drifting, the farmers decide which ponies to keep, and which to send to market. Most male foals are sent to market, as are the older ponies. At the market, there is always a vet present to ensure the ponies are not handled roughly or mistreated. Most of the ponies that are sold become riding ponies or pets. Today, there are less than three thousand ponies on Dartmoor. This is due to a number of factors, such as a reduction in the demand for ponies, and the fact that farmers grazing ponies on the uplands receive no subsidies.