Are New Forest Ponies wild?
New Forest Ponies are not actually wild. They are all in fact owned by commoners who exercise their right to free graze their ponies on the Forest. They are considered to be semi-feral.
What is free grazing?
Property or land owners in the New Forest have a right to graze certain animals freely on the Forest after passing an inspection and paying marking fees.
What can a New Forest Pony do?
New Forest ponies are agile and sure-footed making them a working pony of choice for most farmers.
They have been used previously as race horses but are currently use more for show jumping, cross-country, dressage, driving and eventing.
What is a Native pony?
A native pony are a collection of breeds that are native to the British Isles. There are 14 breeds of native ponies and horses in the UK, 12 of which are considered rare.
What do New Forest Ponies look like?
A New Forest Pony is most commonly bay, chestnut or grey in colour. They can range in colours however, to be considered purebred they cannot be piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue eyed cream.
What size are New Forest Ponies?
In showing rules, the maximum height is detailed as 14.2 hands (58.25 inches). They are very rarely less than 12 hands (48 inches).
What makes the New Forest Pony a good working pony?
They have an ideal, gentle temperament and are easy to train with strength, versatility and intelligence being some of the main factors that make them such a desirable breed.
Read more about New Forest Ponies