The Drift (Part 2)

What started as a days shopping in Tavistock for Mrs M and me, ended with us witnessing the end of another Drift with all the ponies collected in the holding pen at The Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale. It was obviously a day in the Dartmoor calendar not to be missed and a large crowed were enjoying the successful end one of Dartmoor's oldest tradition with refreshments

The tradition of the Drift was first recorded in 1012 and in those days the Venville tenants were required to assist with the rounding up of the horses..

The 'official' Duchy drifts were discontinued after 1940 although the commoners still hold their own drifts today. These ponies will get a health check, the sick, old or those to be sold are separated and the rest are returned to the moor.

Although I love to see the ponies on the moor, they have to be managed and this age old ritual is still the best way to achieve it and maintain a healthy pony population. See large picture.