The New Forest

The New Forest Commoners

The ponies, cattle, pigs and donkeys that wander at will are all actually owned by commoners. Local folk who are still practising the privileges conceded so many centuries ago. The poor old peasant was not allowed to enclose any land to hinder the chase of the Kings deer. To keep the local populace from starving, stock was permitted to be grazed on the open ‘forest’. Interestingly, in the legal sense, visitors and local’s alike still have access to the open Forest as a privilege rather than a right.

Remarkably, this system of pre medieval farming is still operational today. New Forest commoners do not stray very far from their natural habitat and some families can trace their ancestry over three centuries or more.  Similarly, many of the ponies can also trace back their lineage; their names often describing their parentage and the forest location of their birth.

The Farmyard Forest

So this region could really be described as one large working farm. In the face of prohibitive house and land prices, commoners struggle on to keep their traditions alive. Without their four legged, twenty four hour mowing machines, the forest would soon revert to dense undergrowth and would certainly not be the pleasant varied landscape enjoyed by so many today. Impossible to maintain by mechanical means or by pure manpower, the New Forest pony represents more than just a photo opportunity.

Support local food producers whilst in the New Forest

Food producers in the New Forest really need you, give Asda and Tesco a miss for a week. Go instead to the outlets listed below, lots more fun, no packaging to throw away, no guilt about air or road miles, and the big plus, you know where the food has come from, how it was produced and who produced it.

Out and about on the New Forest

You can’t really go wrong if you keep to the footpaths; give all stock a wide berth, especially any mare, pig, or cow with her young. You might encounter the occasional rampant stallion rounding up his mares; again never get between him and his ladies.  Invest in a Ordinance Survey map, don't rely on your mobile, reception can be patchy, if you are considering more than a gentle stroll, a compass is useful too.

‘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.

The New Forest Ponies

Feed me, feed me, oh those brown eyes, it can be so tempting to offer a morsel to the ponies and donkeys. Car parks are a magnet for ponies intent on raiding picnic baskets, if they turn nasty, kick and bite, the owner may be requested to remove the trouble maker for the public’s safety. This pony has no future on the forest and may have to be destroyed, literally killed by kindness.

Give all ponies the cold shoulder, their survival depends on foraging for their rations on the open forest, keeping on the move, seeking shelter, rather then standing around in the wind and rain waiting for the next packed lunch.

How you the visitor can help to preserve the New Forest for future generations

The old adage, ‘take nothing but photographs leave nothing but footprints’ more or less sums it up.

Hide the car keys and have a couple of car free days during your stay, all our cottages have an action plan.

Buy locally produced food and keep the forest farmers in business.