A Dartmoor pony has died after falling from a cliff in Escalls, near Sennen in Cornwall.
The pony was part of a National Trust project and was helping to graze the land on the cliff to encourage wildflower growth in spring.
It is reported the pony fell during high winds and its body was discovered on the beach below the cliff on the morning of 7 December.
The land on the Penwith peninsula is owned by the National Trust. A spokesman for the organisation said the pony was part of a small herd whose welfare were being monitored by a charity.
“Sadly, a pony was lost over the cliff at Escalls in an accidental fall,” the spokesman told Your Horse on 21 December.
“The National Trust take the safety and wellbeing of animals very seriously and this pony is part of a herd which has regular checks by a local charity.
“It was part of a small herd grazing the land, helping to keep the scrub under control and to keep the grasses short, so that the wildflowers can thrive in the spring.”
The National Trust are keeping the herd of ponies at the site, but extra fencing has been installed to guard against further accidents.
“Following the incident, we have reviewed the site with the pony charity,” added the spokesman.
“It remains suitable for pony grazing, however we are going to install some additional fencing as a further precautionary measure.”
Lead image – credit: Shutterstock
