Three NEWC member organisations are collaborating on a new training series designed to help people understand the realities of taking on a feral or semi-handled pony.
Led by the British Horse Society (BHS), the Feral Pony Education Series brings together the expertise of BHS, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and The HUGS Foundation, alongside Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, vets, farriers, behaviourists and BHS Accredited Professional Coaches.
The three events, taking place across Devon and Cornwall during September and October, aim to help people make informed decisions about taking on a pony from a semi-wild environment and support better welfare outcomes once ponies move into domestic homes.
Feral and semi-handled ponies can make rewarding companions, but their previous experiences and natural behaviours can present very different challenges from those associated with traditionally handled horses and ponies.
The series aims to help people understand those differences before taking on a pony, with a particular focus on behaviour, social needs, handling, facilities, feeding, healthcare and the practical realities of responsible ownership.
The first event, Understanding Feral Ponies – Dartmoor Walk and Talk, takes place on Thursday 10th September at Bellever Forest on Dartmoor.
Run by the BHS and Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, the guided walk will give participants the opportunity to observe ponies in their natural environment and learn more about herd dynamics, social structures, natural behaviour and communication, grazing and feeding patterns, seasonal changes and the role of ponies within the Dartmoor ecosystem.
The second event, Feral Pony Preparation Clinic, takes place on Monday 14th September at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary's Coombe Park Equestrian Centre near Totnes.
The full-day workshop will explore the transition from moorland to domestic life, covering areas including equine behaviour and body language, safe facilities and field set-up, initial handling, companionship, feeding, parasite control, hoof care and veterinary planning. The clinic will also consider common challenges and mistakes when taking on a feral or semi-handled pony.
The final event, Feral Pony Preparation Clinic with The HUGS Foundation, takes place on Sunday 4th October at Higher Whitley Farm near Bodmin.
The clinic will cover similar themes, using local examples and experience to help prospective and existing Cornish owners prepare for the challenges and responsibilities involved in caring for a feral or semi-handled pony.
The organisations involved emphasise that good intentions alone are not enough when taking on a pony from a semi-wild environment.
Understanding where a pony has come from, how it communicates and behaves, and what it needs to remain physically and mentally healthy is an important part of deciding whether an individual can provide an appropriate home.
The series therefore focuses not simply on encouraging people to take on ponies, but on helping prospective owners make realistic, informed decisions and prepare appropriately for the responsibilities involved.
The BHS says the aim is to understand the pony, prepare the owner and support the partnership for the future, with charities and equine professionals sharing their expertise to provide consistent, practical guidance.
For those who do decide to take on a feral or semi-handled pony, developing trust can be a gradual process requiring patience, appropriate facilities and an understanding of the pony's behaviour and needs.
The events are aimed at people considering buying, rescuing or retraining a feral or semi-handled pony, as well as those who already own one or simply want to learn more about their behaviour and welfare.
Thursday 10th September 2026
Bellever Forest, Dartmoor
5.30pm–8pm
Book via Dartmoor Walk and Talk booking page
Monday 14th September 2026
Coombe Park Equestrian Centre, near Totnes
10am–3.30pm
Book via Mare and Foal Sanctuary clinic booking page
Sunday 4th October 2026
Higher Whitley Farm, near Bodmin
2pm–4pm
Book via HUGS Foundation clinic booking page
The events are free to attend, with suggested donations welcomed.
NEWC is pleased to highlight this initiative involving three of its member organisations - The British Horse Society, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and The HUGS Foundation - working alongside Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and a range of equine professionals.
Book and find out more:
10th September: Dartmoor Walk and Talk booking page
14th September: Mare and Foal Sanctuary clinic booking page
4th October: HUGS Foundation clinic booking page