'Horses**t': Campaigners and government reject claims of forced Dartmoor pony 'cull'

A row has broken out over the future of Dartmoor's ponies, with warnings livestock owners may be forced to cull them to hit biodiversity goals.

The vast moorland in Devon is a protected conservation area, yet more than 90% is in a sorry state for reasons including overgrazing and burning.

Natural England has ordered a widespread cut to the number of livestock grazing on the moor to tackle overgrazing, which will affect owners of ponies, cattle and sheep who receive farming subsidies.

The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association has warned livestock owners would be forced to cull between six and nine out of ten of the semi-wild, endangered ponies - which actually boost biodiversity - as they prioritise their cattle and sheep, which are more commercially viable.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch today weighed in on the row, calling it "total madness" that could lead to the "mass slaughter of Dartmoor ponies".

She wrote on social media: "The government must overrule Natural England and stop it immediately."

But Guy Shrubsole, campaigner and author of The Lie Of The Land, said claims Natural England had "ordered" a cull were nonsense.

"There's so much horsesh**t being spoken about this," he told Sky News.

"This is a conspiracy theory being whipped up on social media. Nobody is proposing a cull."

He said nature on Dartmoor is "dying" and the "real issue" is overgrazing by sheep.

Two years ago, a government commissioned review found that the eating of heather and dwarf shrubs by sheep is a "particular issue on Dartmoor".

'False claims'

Natural England has hit back against what it calls "false claims" that it had "recommended a 90% cull of Dartmoor ponies".

"We do not have the power to order a cull, and we have not advised one," it said, though did not deny that some animals may end up being culled as an indirect consequence.

Officials said livestock owners receiving public subsidies should meet tests that their farming delivers public good.

The ponies, which have lived on Dartmoor for the last four millennia, are widely regarded to boost biodiversity, as their nimble upper lip and forward facing teeth allow them to be picky eaters.

And they have a penchant for purple moor grass, Molinia, which is crowding out other species, but which cattle rarely eat.

Hence the 2023 review also recommended Natural England "should not take actions likely to result in a decline in pony numbers".

However, they were recently added into livestock grazing quotas on Dartmoor - where previously they were excluded - as they still add to the overall overgrazing, Natural England said.

This decision was taken by Tory MP Steve Barclay as environment secretary in 2024, and also means the pony-farming qualifies for farming subsidies.

The government said it is monitoring the plight of the pony.

"Dartmoor ponies are an important part of Dartmoor's heritage and also vital to protecting the habitats of Dartmoor," a spokesperson said.

"Natural England are not recommending a cull and this government wouldn't support one."

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Horses**t': Campaigners and government reject claims of forced Dartmoor pony 'cull'