Are New Forest ponies a breed?
The New Forest pony is one of the recognised mountain and moorland or native pony breeds of the British Isles. Height varies from around 12 to 14.2 hands (48 to 58 inches, 122 to 147 cm); ponies of all heights should be strong, workmanlike, and of a good riding type.
What type of ponies are in the New Forest?
Recognising a New Forest pony Among the other breeds they have been mixed with to create the variety you see today include Welsh, Arab, Thoroughbred, Hackney, Highlands and Exmoor. As a result, they come in a number of different colours, with a few exceptions.
Who do New Forest ponies belong to?
commoners
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).
Are New Forest ponies endangered?
The New Forest pony has been classed as a rare breed by an animal charity. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) listed the pony in its minority breed category on its watch-list, for equines with up to 3,000 breeding females.
Can you touch New Forest ponies?
Feeding ponies causes serious issues in the New Forest and is against byelaws. Even stroking ponies can be dangerous. They may look friendly but they are unpredictable and can bite and kick, especially mares with foals.
Where is the best place to see ponies in the New Forest?
You can’t miss the New Forest ponies: don’t feed or touch them, but they’re beautiful to watch – especially the foals. A good place to see them is at Beachern Wood near Brockenhurst, the start of a lovely off-road cycle ride to the pretty hamlet of Bank.
What age do New Forest ponies stop growing?
Most I have met finished growing around 4, but continued to change shape until about 6.
Can New Forest ponies be black?
To keep the breed pure, New Forest pony colours are restricted, most are chestnut or bay (dark brown with a black mane and tail). They are not allowed to be piebald or skewbald (black and white or brown and white), spotted or cream with blue eyes.
Are the ponies in the New Forest Wild?
All of the ponies found in the forest are wild in the sense they can roam freely but in fact they are owned by New Forest Commoners. The commoners have the right to graze their ponies and cattle on the open forest throughout the year. Each year, the ponies are rounded up in what are called drifts.
Can you touch the ponies in the New Forest?
Feeding ponies causes serious issues in the New Forest and is against byelaws. Human food can give ponies bad stomach ache, which is very painful. Even stroking ponies can be dangerous. They may look friendly but they are unpredictable and can bite and kick, especially mares with foals.
Where do New Forest ponies sleep?
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.