Do New Forest Ponies Have Owners?

Who owns the ponies? All the ponies, donkeys, cows and pigs that you will see roaming in the New Forest belong to local people called ‘commoners’ who have the right to graze their animals on the open Forest throughout the year (or part of the year in the case of pigs).

What happens to New Forest ponies when they are sold?

Animals surplus to their owner’s requirements often are sold at the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales, run by the New Forest Livestock Society. Tail hair of the ponies is trimmed, and cut into a recognisable pattern to show that the pony’s grazing fees have been paid for the year.

Can you pet the horses in the New Forest?

The New Forest is well-known for its roaming ponies, donkeys, cattle, pigs and in some places, sheep. For their safety and your own please don’t feed or pet them; there is plenty of natural food and it’s best that they don’t come to rely on people’s attention.

Can you buy a New Forest pony?

Commoners can sell a New Forest pony or ponies at the annual sales. Consequently, people who decide to buy a New Forest pony are helping to maintain some of the oldest equestrian traditions in Britain.

What happens to the New Forest ponies in winter?

Exact location often depends on the time of year and weather conditions – winter, for example, will often find New Forest ponies deep in the woods, sheltering from the wind and cold, whilst at other times of year, they are more likely to be out in the open.

Can you touch New Forest ponies?

Important information on New Forest ponies
Please don’t feed or pet them; there is plenty of natural food and it’s best that they don’t come to rely on people’s attention. They may look friendly but they can bite and kick, especially ponies with foals. Keep your distance!

Where do New Forest ponies sleep at night?

The ponies that roam freely on the New Forest have every opportunity to protect themselves from these airborne pests, unlike many of their domestic counterparts. The wild ponies can seek shelter in the gorse or under trees and act cooperatively to relieve themselves from the worse of the swarm.

What happens to male New Forest ponies?

These stallions are carefully selected each year to ensure a good blood-line and only approved stallions can be released. At other times of the year the stallions are kept on private land to the south east of the Forest. Young male ponies (colts) are usually taken off the Forest in January of their second year.

Are New Forest ponies tagged?

All animals must comply with the Verderers’ Bye-Laws: Payments to Agisters, receipt of which is recognised by tail marking (cutting) for ponies, and ear tags for cattle. All stock must be branded to identify the owner.

Can adults ride New Forest ponies?

The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children.

How many New Forest ponies are killed each year?

The majority of animals killed were ponies. There were a total of 38 deaths of ponies, down from 39. In 2018, 13 were killed, which was actually down from from 2017 (18). Twenty five ponies were injured and destroyed, which was up from 21 in 2017.

Can you feed the ponies in the New Forest?

Feeding ponies causes serious issues in the New Forest and is against byelaws. Some ponies and donkeys develop an unhealthy craving for human food and become aggressive with people who, quite rightly, try to keep their picnics to themselves.

Where can I buy New Forest ponies?

At Beaulieu Road Saleyard auction sales of New Forest Registered ponies are held from May to November. The auctions have two Pre-sale Shows per year, youngstock in the spring and foals in the autumn.

How cold is too cold for ponies?

In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° and 59° F, depending on their hair coat. What size shelter do you need?

Why do some New Forest ponies have collars?

The reflective-collars help the free-roaming New Forest ponies to be visible at night.

Where do the horses roam in the New Forest?

The ponies roam freely around unspoilt woodland, heathland and river valleys in the New Forest National Park and help to keep the landscape and rare species in good order by grazing on the land.

How long does it take for a new pony to settle?

We recommend that at the very minimum you allow at least a full week for a new arrival to settle and ideally much longer – bear in mind that horses can take six months to a year to fully settle in a new home.

What do you wear to a New Forest pony?

Choose a discreet numnah that matches the pony and saddle and is barely visible. Choose a snaffle bridles for novice classes and a double bridle or pelham for open classes.

Where do horses not like to be touched?

How Do Horses Like to be Touched? Horses prefer to be rubbed and stroked over being tickled or slapped, and they often don’t want rubbing on sensitive areas like the flank, girth, belly, nose, ears, and legs.

Can New Forest ponies jump?

New Forest ponies are known for being great at a variety of disciplines, and they’re a popular choice for Pony Club activities. They’re handy jumpers, so they can make fab eventers as they’re so bold and sure-footed.

What do New Forest ponies eat in winter?

What do ponies eat? In the summer, ponies will eat rich grasses, creating the close cropped (short) lawns of the New Forest which are important for rare flowers and insect species. In the winter their diet is more varied. Green plants such as holly and gorse are incredibly nutritious for them.