Chagford Pony Sale 2014

Today was the annual pony sale at Chagford on Dartmoor - 214 animals were listed in the catalogue, the majority being foals off the moor.  There were also a couple of donkey foals and a mule.  Many of the animals entered were not brought to the sale.  About 134 actually went through the sale ring.  About 79 animals sold and there were more private buyers than previous years.  The recent publicity surrounding the ponies and the meat trade did result in people coming to"rescue" a pony or two.  Most sold for between £10-20.

We did manage to speak to a couple of journalists at the sale - one from The Telegraph and another from The Express on Sunday who were reporting on the plight of the ponies.

Although there were no large lorries at the sale we were very concerned by the presence of one particular dealer who we have seen in previous years.  Whilst they didn't buy much at the sale we believe they might plan to buy unsold ponies directly off the farms...let's hope they're not being exported abroad...

This spotted foal was one that was lucky enough to find a home

 - the blood mark is from the microchipping, not from being injured at the market

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