Five new additions have been welcomed at a National Trust property in Cambridgeshire in a bid to restore nature and biodiversity.
A herd of Dartmoor ponies, three mares and two geldings, are settling into a newly created wood pasture at the Wimpole Estate.
In the last five years, teams at the Wimpole Estate have planted thousands of trees across arable land to re-establish traditional parkland habitats.
The new ponies will manage the developing landscape by grazing naturally and controlling thistles and other vigorous plants, as well as creating the right conditions for wildflowers and grasses.
The Dartmoor pony is a rare native breed and is well suited to the demands of conservation grazing.
Dave Hassall, Farm and Countryside Manager at the Wimpole Estate, said: "We've already seen how their grazing helps reduce weeds and encourages a richer mix of grasses and wildflowers.
"Within minutes of arriving, one of them was happily munching on a thistle, which is exactly what we were hoping for!"
Once the Dartmoor ponies have prepared the ground and moved onto another part of the estate, they will be followed by grazing cattle which will support wildlife and contribute to food production.
The ponies are settling well and are forming a herd.
In the coming months, staff at Wimpole will undertake gentle training with the ponies, enough to allow for safe handling, veterinary care and future movement between grazing areas, but otherwise, they will be left to live as naturally as possible.
Visitors to the Estate may spot the ponies in the fields, but they are not domesticated animals and should not be approached or fed.
“Our aim is to let them live quietly and naturally while helping us restore this landscape", said Dave.
"Over time, their presence will help the grassland become more diverse and resilient, better for wildlife and more beautiful for everyone who visits."
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