Your New Forest
"Fast forward over nine hundred years since William The Conqueror requisitioned the area."
New Forest Living
Traditions
and landscape
The Farmyard Forest
So the New Forest could be described as one large working farm. Without these four legged, twenty four hour mowing machines, the landscape would soon revert to dense undergrowth Impossible to maintain by mechanical or manpower. No ponies means no New Forest.
Out and about in the New Forest
Follow the main tracks and give all stock a wide berth, especially any mare, pig, or cow with her young. Invest in a Ordinance Survey map if you are considering more than a gentle stroll, or even a compass.
He's only playing
A forest pony is capable of kicking a worrying dog in to the next county, but not so the nesting birds, hidden fawns, foals, calves and other vulnerable wildlife. Your dog might need a little time to become accustomed to the 'wide open', if in any doubt, keep the lead on.
New Forest Ponies
Feed me, feed me. It can be so tempting to offer a morsel to the ponies and donkeys, but best to give them the cold shoulder, they are hardy little critters and their survival depends on foraging on the open forest. Admire from a safe distance, they look cute but can be lacking in social skills when approached by humans either on foot or from car windows.
New Forest Commoners
All the ponies, cattle, pigs and donkeys are all owned by New Forest commoners. As the poor old peasant was not allowed to enclose any land within the Norman Royal hunting ground, a concession was granted in about 1079 that permitted stock to be grazed on the open 'forest'. New Forest stock still have the right on way on unfenced forest roads and that includes 'grazing' up Brockenhurst and Beaulieu High Streets !!