How to help New Forest ponies (Dorset and Hampshire)
The New Forest Ponies are cared for by commoners (who benefit from right to graze animals). The New Forest Verderers employ five Agisters who ensure commoners abide byelaws, and oversee grazing ponies, livestock, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep (but not deer or other wild animals).
Learn more tips for happy healthy horses (including toxic trees and plants to avoid).
Do not touch or feed New Forest ponies
Also don’t let dogs approach or chase ponies or any other animals. Never use flash photography (use a zoom lens if taking photos).
Slow down and pay attention if driving
Ponies wander onto lanes and streets, so drivers must slow down and pay attention. Local signs warn visitors to watch out for ponies, especially at dawn and dusk, when they often cross busy roads.
Road Traffic Accidents involving ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep must always be reported immediately to the Police on 999.
Report sick and injured animals
Sick and injured animals can be reported to the Verderer and Agisters website. This page includes numbers to call and details of penalties, for failing to report incidents.
Do everything to avoid wildfires
Don’t drop cigarette butts (use a pocket ashtray) and never use disposable barbecues or release/use fire lanterns.
Recent wildfires in the New Forest have caused decades of destruction. And killed a lot of wildlife. Thankfully the wild horses would have gone elsewhere on smelling smoke. But there are videos showing how terrified they were, panicked and running away from fires.
But Richard Tice thinks that ‘net zero’ is stupid, and we should just enjoy the warmer weather and drink sparkling wine?
