Are the New Forest ponies I see really wild?

This is a sight which sometimes greets me at my garden gate, which is one of the reasons I love living on the New Forest.

But are they wild?

These three ponies are owned by a Commoner - they are a mother (the grey in the collar), the bay (brown) older sister, and the small grey which is now 2 years old.

The mother was found by one of the New Forest Agisters as an orphan.

The New Forest ponies you see on your visit to the New Forest are all owned by someone - these ponies owners are called "Commoners".

The Commoners have the right to put their animals out on the forest. However, it is a highly regulated right, and each pony must be kept fit and healthy, and if necessary must be taken off the forest if they become poorly.

The Agisters play a major role in the New Forest in ensuring that all stock, whether it is ponies, horses, cattle, donkeys or pigs are in good health and have not got any injuries.

I will go into the role of the Verderers and Agisters in more depth later.

Annie (the grey mother) is wearing a florescent neck band so that she shows up at night on the forest roads.

Many New Forest ponies, horses, donkeys and cows are killed or injured each year on the New Forest roads.

This is something I feel very strongly about - if you are coming as a visitor or tourist to the New Forest please be very careful.

Horses and ponies have no road sense and will either suddenly "spook" or just step out in front of a car. Cows are probably the worst as they just wander around in complete innocence - until often it is too late.

Please take care on the roads and keep to the speed limit. The New Forest ponies are lovely to look at - please help to protect their lives.

I thought you might like to know a bit more about the laws and who enforces them, on behalf of New Forest pony welfare.

The ponies are allowed out on the forest by an ancient law called "Rights of Common of Pasture" - this is a Verderers byelaw.

Verderers are the managers of the ponies welfare and they are supported by a team of 5 Agisters ( at this present time). When a pony or other forest animal is injured by a car etc it is the Agister who attends, and most times needs to destroy the pony.

For a much more in-depth look at the Verderers and their role on the forest, I think you'll find this interesting

You can also find out more about the Agisters and look at a map to show which area the five agisters cover. There is also lots of really great information about the New Forest ponies

• If you see a pony with its tail cut or cattle with ear tags, the Agister fee has been paid on that animal and it is allowed to take up the right of "depasture" on the New Forest.
• A New Forest pony will have a brand mark (usually on its back)
• All disease control methods must be upheld - recently a very nasty outbreak of a disease called strangles broke out - this is virus based and caused some animals great discomfort and was extemely contagious.
• No-one is allowed to put out a vicious or mischievious animal
• Today there are appoximately 3000 depasturing animals on the forest and there is no upper limit to the number allowed out
• During breeding times, when mares are in season, approx 150 Approved Registered stallions are put out - this is a time to be very wary as it all can get quite noisy, and the odd stampede occurs a time to head behind a tree if you hear the sound of thundering hooves!

This is a great example of a Commoners pony which is very well looked after.

Throughout the winter he is checked daily and fed hay to keep him in great condition.

I think this photo sums up his gentle, laidback nature. But please remember never to touch or feed - thanks.

There is a great equine directory for the New Forest ponies, I often look at this site - especially if you want to buy a pony or enter a show

We were out and about the other day and found a fabulous area, right by the sea, and found some serious beach grazing going on!

If you want to search New Forest Life.com without using the navigation bars on the left, then here's a really useful Google tool. Just put your search details e.g. pigs in the search box and hit Search and you can choose to search my site or go onto the Web and come back to NewForest-Life.com.

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