Dozens of ponies have starved to death and others been shot dead due to poor health on Bodmin Moor, it has been claimed.
At least two of the animals died while giving birth on the East Moor side and many others were found extremely emaciated, according to Bodmin Moor Commoners' group which represents landlords.
One mare had been earmarked to be shot but she gave birth overnight and survived and has now been given to charity South West Equine Protection (SWEP), along with her foal and two other ponies, where they will be cared for.
It is not known who owns the animals.
Julie Dowton, secretary of Bodmin Moor Commoners', said it was "horrific". She said eight of the ponies were shot dead due to poor health by animal health, three by farmers and the others have died from starving to death.
"It is an appalling situation," she said.
"The whole Bodmin Moor farming community is absolutely appalled that it has happened and we now have to look at how we are going to clear it up."
She said that the majority of animals on the moor were looked after responsibly but that during the last year ponies had been continually "dumped" there from elsewhere.
"We have some wonderful farmers who really look after their animals but unfortunately in this part of the moor something has gone wrong," she said.
"We cannot identify the owners, the ponies have no markings on them. Certainly over the last year there is no doubt that some of them are not Bodmin Moor ponies. Why they are here we do not know."
A further 30 ponies are to be inspected on the moor, she added.
