The Dülmener

 History
For at least 700 years, grulla-colored ponies have been roaming the hilly, wooded area of Westphalia. When the Lord of Dülmen began ruling that part of Westphalia, called Merfelder Bruch, he decided to keep a close watch over the ponies that thrived on that land. Nearby farmers also helped him to watch over the ponies.

The Dülmen is a compact pony with a short neck,
lean legs, and a squarish head. source

 The ponies were thriving until the 1800s, when the land was divided among different people. Then, the remaining countryside was divided among several dukes in 1840, making them the owners of the twenty remaining ponies. Fortunately, they decided to protect the breed, setting aside some of their land as a sanctuary for the horses. Later, they released some Polish and British horses into the herding, and over the next few decades, the number of Dülmen ponies flourished.

To this day, Dülmens are still kept on a reserve, where 300 ponies thrive in their natural habitat. They are rarely given hay and shelter since they have been accustomed to surviving without the help of humans. Every year, in May, the ponies are carefully inspected. The mares are kept, while all but the two best colts are sold at an auction.

Breed Description and Uses
 Standing 12 to 13 hands high, Dülmens are compact, sturdy ponies with light legs, round barrels, short withers, backs, and necks, and a small head. They are usually grulla, a mouse-like dun.

 Dülmens are excellent at cart pulling or working on farms. They have great work ethic.