Foal boom begins at pony centre

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A record number of foals are due to be born at Dartmoor's Minature Pony Centre this spring

Four miniature foals have been born at Dartmoor's Miniature Pony Centre, the first of an unusually high number of births expected this year.

Staff at the centre in Devon said they were expecting another 15 of the pint-sized ponies over the next month.

The first to arrive was Luxton on 2 April, a Miniature Shetland who will grow to no more than 34in (86cm) tall.

Benjy and Ladybrook were born in the following days with Huccaby last to arrive early on Easter Sunday.

'Bumper crop'

This year's foals are all being named after tors on Dartmoor, a theme chosen by the staff.

Staff at the centre are expecting 15 more foals

Kevin Ginsberg, from the centre, said the 19 foals expected this spring would be a 'bumper crop', with between 12 and 18 ponies usually born there each year.

He said the public would be able to go in with the youngsters and pet them very soon.

Mr Ginsberg said: "Once we're sure mother and foal have bonded and everything is okay, we can turn them into the paddock with the other animals."