Ponies graze freely in Hampshire’s New Forest, where they have been a part of the area’s history, ecology and community for centuries. With an enduring charm, they continue to capture the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
The diverse ecosystem of the New Forest includes heathland, grassland, and woodlands, offering a mix of grazing opportunities. The forest’s ponies are hardy and they forage for food in all seasons, so thriving with minimal human intervention.
Small but sturdy, these ponies display a variety of coat colours including bay, chestnut, grey, and black. They also have thick coats, to protect against English wet and windy winters.
Protecting the New Forest Ponies
Please do not pet or feed New Forest ponies. They are semi-wild and human interference is harmful. If taking photographs, use a zoom lens (from far away, without a flash that could startle).
When visiting, take all litter home with you, and don’t light fires, stoves or barbecues. Don’t let dogs approach or chase the ponies or any other animals. Wild camping is not allowed. Keep to main tracks, and drive carefully, obeying all warning signs.
The ponies are owned by the commoners. They are people who occupy land which benefits from the right to graze animals on the Forest.
The New Forest Verderers regulate ‘commoning’. They employ five Agisters whose duties include overseeing all the depastured livestock, the ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep. But not deer or other truly wild animals. And they ensure the commoners abide by the Verderers byelaws.
Sick and injured animals can be reported to the Verderers and Agisters, and details of how to do that can be found on the Verderers’ website. This page also includes numbers to call and details of penalties, for failing to report incidents. Road Traffic Accidents involving ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep must always be reported immediately to the Police on 999.
The ‘capital’ of the New Forest is a lovely town called Lymington, where you can take a ferry to Isle of Wight (to Yarmouth). For dog walks, steer clear of areas rich in bluebells and mushrooms, as both are toxic.
