A number of herds have been found for the scheme already

Dartmoor National Park Authority is to pay farmers to ensure that historic animal blood lines are kept pure.

There are only about 1,400 native ponies left on the moor. The worry is that they are mixing with other types of ponies and weakening blood lines.

The park hopes the scheme will mean that native animals only breed with approved stallions and filly offspring are not sold off.

Eligible herds

Under the Unregistered Dartmoor Pony Preservation Scheme, farmers who have ponies on their land will receive help with grazing costs and assistance in checking the animals' welfare.

The Dartmoor Pony Society, which is to run the scheme, has been give a �25,000 grant by the National Park Authority and English Nature.

The society has already identified the 26 herds which are eligible and has informed their owners of the new scheme.