Can You Pet The Horses In The New Forest?

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!

Can you touch the wild horses in the New Forest?

Feeding the New Forest ponies in a big “NO NO” as they are wild and dangerous; one kick could seriously injure you. If you are caught feeding them, the police will serve you a £200 fine and a criminal record. Touching or petting the ponies is forbidden, and an agitated pony will have his ears back against his head.

Do New Forest ponies have owners?

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). The New Forest is really one big farm, and these are ‘farm animals’.

Where is the best place to see horses in the New Forest?

Beaulieu. One of the best villages to see the ponies is Beaulieu. This gorgeous little village seems to be a magnet for ponies, and they almost appear to be happy to pose for a photo! In the village, the ponies like to hang around Hatchets Pond and Culverley Green.

Can adults ride New Forest ponies?

The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality. Action: This should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.

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.

How many New Forest ponies are killed each year?

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.

Can you pet wild ponies?

Things to Remember While Observing Wild Horses
For your safety and the safety of the horses, do not approach, touch or feed them. Stay at least 40 feet away, the legal minimum (a “bus length”), but remember that may still be much too close depending on the circumstances.

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 do the horses sleep in the New Forest?

They gather together in places known as ‘shades’ that, unlike the name would suggest, aren’t always under the cover of trees. Some of the shades frequented by the ponies are out in the open but will have a discernable breeze that keeps them cool. Often too you will see ponies lying flat out quietly snoozing in the sun.

Which is the nicest village in the New Forest?

Burley – best village of the New Forest
Burley is the quintessential New Forest village. Found within Burley are traditional cottages and characterful thatched houses, while wild ponies wander freely about the village.

Are the horses in the New Forest Wild?

How New Forest ponies are looked after. There is a myth that the New Forest ponies are completely wild, however, they are only wild in the sense that they are able to roam freely around the National Park. They are in fact owned and cared for by New Forest Commoners.

How many horses roam the New Forest?

The New Forest is visited by millions of people from all over the world each year and one of its great attractions are the 3,000 or more New Forest ponies which freely roam the heathland and woods.

Where can I ride a horse in the New Forest?

Forest Rides and Riding Lessons

• Arniss Equestrian. Godshill, Fordingbridge.
• Bagnum Riding Stables. Bagnum, Ringwood.
• Eastmoors Riding School. Ringwood Road, St Leonards.
• 4 Seasons Forest Rides. Ringwood.
• Burley Villa School of Riding. Wootton.
• Ford Farm Stables. Brockenhurst.
• Manor Equestrian Centre. Ower.
• New Forest Polo School. Sway.

Can you ride a horse with no experience?

Enroll in Horse Riding lessons
There’s no age to learn a new skill and even if you are an experienced rider, the horse riding instructors won’t give you a judgmental look. A true horse person is always learning. They are extremely fascinating animals and you can take lessons at any time of your life.

Are all the New Forest ponies mares?

Ponies living full-time on the New Forest are almost all mares, although there are also a few geldings.

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.

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.

What is the number one killer in horses?

The number one killer of horses is colic. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time.

Who owns the New Forest?

The Crown
Who owns the New Forest? Around 90% of the land in the New Forest is owned by The Crown and has been managed by Forestry England since 1923.