Ultra Rare Pony Breed
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As one of less than 20 Dales Pony breeders in North America, Kelly Davidson Chou is as rare as her horses. Only 250 registered Dales ponies are left in the U.S. and Canada. Since the 2008 recession, prices for the breed have fallen, and fewer animals are being bred, further endangering the rare breed.
“Before the recession registered numbers were up to about 300, and we were getting $5,000 to 8,000 for a weanling and $25,000 for a nice mare,” says Davidson Chou. “Things are better, but we’re not back to where we were. A weanling now will go for $3,000 to 5,000 and a proven broodmare, trained to ride and drive, will go for as little as $10,000.”
The Dales are an old breed, one of 9 recognized pony breeds. Known as Mountain and Moorland Ponies, they are strong in relation to their size, sure-footed, and thrifty. Initially bred as a pack animal, the Dales found a niche first on small farms. With the crossing of a Welsh Cob stallion in the early 1900’s, they became known for their trotting and jumping. Although an ideal Dales pony stands between 14 and 14.2 hands, they can easily carry an adult of 250 lbs. or more.
Because of their attributes, they were used extensively by the British army in World War I and World War II. Numbers were depleted and have grown only slowly since. A few breeding animals were introduced to North America in the 1980’s and 1990’s, leading to today’s small numbers.
“The Rare Breeder Trust looks at active breeding mares and estimates only 300 in the world,” says Davidson Chou.
She has been a Dales Pony breeder since 2004. “I always wanted to be an animal breeder, but I am acutely aware of the unwanted dogs, cats and even horses that are euthanized each year,” she says. “I learned how hardy, athletic and smart Dales are and what a great temperament they have. As a rare breed, I felt I could breed and help preserve them.”
Davidson Chou competes with her Dales in halter, pleasure carriage driving, and jumper classes. The horses also do well in dressage. While she isn’t actively breeding her mares due to decreased demand, she will consider breeding a mare if a buyer wants a particular colt. She also has a few for sale.
“I am one of a few breeders who does a lot of competition, so people often contact me about buying a Dales,” says Davidson Chou. “If I don’t have what they want, I send them on to other breeders.”
She says Dales make wonderful family horses as well as work horses. They are great for first time riders and jumpers. Dales are also ideal for use in woods and on farms. One breeder uses them to haul maple sap out of the woods when making syrup.
“A lot of our breeders are very dedicated to the breed, and our first priority is to get our Dales into good homes,” says Davidson Chou. “I’ve even been known to reduce the price on a filly if the new owner agrees to show and breed it.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Davidson Dales and Dartmoors, 4161 Leon Dr., Clayton, Calif. 94517 (ph 925 788-0655; davidsondales@mindspring.com; www.davidsondales.org).
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Ultra Rare Pony Breed LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules As one of less than 20 Dales Pony breeders in North America Kelly Davidson Chou is as rare as her horses Only 250 registered Dales ponies are left in the U S and Canada Since the 2008 recession prices for the breed have fallen and fewer animals are being bred further endangering the rare breed
“Before the recession registered numbers were up to about 300 and we were getting $5 000 to 8 000 for a weanling and $25 000 for a nice mare ” says Davidson Chou “Things are better but we’re not back to where we were A weanling now will go for $3 000 to 5 000 and a proven broodmare trained to ride and drive will go for as little as $10 000 ”
The Dales are an old breed one of 9 recognized pony breeds Known as Mountain and Moorland Ponies they are strong in relation to their size sure-footed and thrifty Initially bred as a pack animal the Dales found a niche first on small farms With the crossing of a Welsh Cob stallion in the early 1900’s they became known for their trotting and jumping Although an ideal Dales pony stands between 14 and 14 2 hands they can easily carry an adult of 250 lbs or more
Because of their attributes they were used extensively by the British army in World War I and World War II Numbers were depleted and have grown only slowly since A few breeding animals were introduced to North America in the 1980’s and 1990’s leading to today’s small numbers
“The Rare Breeder Trust looks at active breeding mares and estimates only 300 in the world ” says Davidson Chou
She has been a Dales Pony breeder since 2004 “I always wanted to be an animal breeder but I am acutely aware of the unwanted dogs cats and even horses that are euthanized each year ” she says “I learned how hardy athletic and smart Dales are and what a great temperament they have As a rare breed I felt I could breed and help preserve them ”
Davidson Chou competes with her Dales in halter pleasure carriage driving and jumper classes The horses also do well in dressage While she isn’t actively breeding her mares due to decreased demand she will consider breeding a mare if a buyer wants a particular colt She also has a few for sale
“I am one of a few breeders who does a lot of competition so people often contact me about buying a Dales ” says Davidson Chou “If I don’t have what they want I send them on to other breeders ”
She says Dales make wonderful family horses as well as work horses They are great for first time riders and jumpers Dales are also ideal for use in woods and on farms One breeder uses them to haul maple sap out of the woods when making syrup
“A lot of our breeders are very dedicated to the breed and our first priority is to get our Dales into good homes ” says Davidson Chou “I’ve even been known to reduce the price on a filly if the new owner agrees to show and breed it ”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Davidson Dales and Dartmoors 4161 Leon Dr Clayton Calif 94517 ph 925 788-0655; davidsondales@mindspring com; www davidsondales org
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