The New Forest ponies are what many visitors come to the New Forest to see but, unfortunately, the temptation to feed and pet them is too great to resist for some and this creates bad habits. It encourages them to car parks and the roadside where they become involved in traffic accidents – each year around 100 animals killed or injured. It should always be remembered that ponies have the right of way on all Forest roads that are unfenced and speed is invariably a factor in accidents involving them. Feeding ponies also leads them to expect that every human will do likewise and this creates bad behaviors leading to picnics being trashed or people being pestered for food. It can also cause aggression in some ponies especially if denied access to someone’s picnic – a kick from a pony is capable of causing serious injury. If a pony’s ears go back and it starts to turn, it’s a sure sign that they are about to kick out.
As the signs say “LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH”.
All accidents involving a pony, cow, donkey, dog, pig or sheep should be reported to the Police as soon as possible, and within 24 hours – 999 (in case of emergency) or 0845 045 4545 (non emergencies). Remember, even if an animal runs off it may still be seriously injured and needs reporting. A full record of stock numbers and accidents can be found on the Verderers website.
THE OWNERS
THE BREED
In order to be classified as a pony, the animal should be no taller than 14.2 (1.44m) hands at the withers (top of the shoulder blade). The New Forest Pony is a recognized British breed but has an unusual background for a native pony breed. Over the years, as attempts to improve the breed or just as part of the normal life and trade in the New Forest, many outside breeds were introduced. Notable blood lines were Welsh, Thoroughbred, Arab and Hackney. In addition other British pony blood-lines have been introduced including Fell Ponies, Dales, Highlands, Dartmoor and Exmoor. It was Queen Victoria who, during the 1850s, lent one of her Arab stallions to strengthen the breed. The New Forest breed is known for the friendliness, intelligence and versatility of its ponies. According to the New Forest Pony Breeding Society, “New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue eyed cream. Palomino or very light chestnut and cream ponies with dark eyes are not eligible as licensed stallions. Blue eyes are not permitted. White markings other than on the head and lower limbs: loss of, or absence of, pigment in hair or skin that is not known to have been associated solely with skin trauma is not acceptable.”
THE AGISTERS
Whilst ponies have the freedom to roam the entire Forest, they keep to their own territories, rarely straying any further than a one or two mile radius as they know where to find to water and the best grazing and browsing on their home teritory.



Examples of pony brands and Agisters’ tail markings
DIET
New Forest ponies play an extremely important role in maintaining the unique New Forest landscape as without their constant close grazing, the open Forest would soon turn to scrubland – it is for this reason that they are often referred to as the “Architects of the Forest”. In the Spring and Summer grass is usually plentiful for grazing but during the harsher Winter periods they supplement their diet by browsing holly and gorse. Unfortunately, a few ponies acquire a taste for acorns despite the fact that they are poisonous to them, especially when they are still green, in view of the high levels of tannin. Some horses seem more susceptible to acorn poisoning than others who have a higher tolerance of the toxins. Whilst a few acorns should cause no harm, when eaten in large quantities it has a cumulative affect on a pony’s kidneys and digestive system for which there is no known cure. As a result, a number of ponies die each year and it is for this reason that Commoners’ pigs are released onto the Forest each Autumn for the “Pannage” season when they gorge themselves on acorns with immunity. This is another ancient Forest common right which is known as the right of Mast.
BREEDING
PONY SALES
In order to provide Commoners with an outlet through which they can sell their livestock, pony sales have been held in the Forest for centuries. For many years they were held at Swan Green, just outside of Lyndhurst but since the end of the Second World War a purpose built sales yard has existed by Beaulieu Road Station. In 2002 the infrastructure of the yard was completely rebuilt and further improvements have taken place since with the result that it is now one of the best semi-feral handling yards in the UK. The main sales ring was further improved in 2013 with the addition of a roof. There are generally four sales a year taking place in late Summer and Autumn.
Click here for further details of sales dates.