New Forest Ponies

History of the New Forest Pony

The New Forest Pony is named after the New Forest - that lightly-tamed area of old England between Southampton and Bournemouth in Hampshire.

The New Forest isn't pure 'forest', rather it is today a huge tract of open country including forest and is hugely popular with the general public, as well as being a managed, farmed and working area of the countryside.

The New Forest Pony is a recognized British Isles breed but has an unusual background for a native pony breed. They have existed in the area for over a thousand years with attempts to standardize to a 'type' since the late 1920s; our lovable New Forest Pony is really the outcome of the interbreeding between the different bloodlines of the ponies that have been turned loose in the New Forest Commons over the years, giving wide variation from pony to pony.

Origin of the New Forest Pony

The earliest record of horses in the New Forest dates back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted to the people living in what was a royal hunting ground. Since then, either as specific attempts to improve the breed or just as part of the normal ebb and flow of life and trade in the New Forest, many outside breeds were turned over to roam free and pasture on the commons. Notable blood lines introduced by this method were Welsh, Arab and Hackney. Later, another concerted effort was made to improve the New Forest blood and other British Isles pony blood-lines were introduced to achieve this, including Fell Ponies, Dales, Highlands, Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Right up to the present day, each New Forest Pony, even though privately owned, roams free in its natural and original environment. Even though owners pay for grazing rights their lives are relatively unhindered by man except during the autumn round-up when ownership of that year's foals is established and breed stock selected by the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society.

Height of the New Forest Pony

New Forest Ponies range in size from 12 hh to 14.2 hh, and although there is no official lower limit, they seldom go below 12 hh.

Colour of the New Forest Pony

The most prominent colours are bay, brown and gray followed by chestnuts, roans and blacks. Limited white markings are allowed on the head and legs.

Characteristics of the New Forest Pony

You can identify a New Forester by its free, even movement, plenty of frame, muscular hind quarters, good depth of body and a sense of solidity in the frame. The head should show pride, the shoulders should be well sloped with deep reach, the quarters, strong and well muscled, the body is deep, and the legs show an even line with strong joints and stolid hooves.

Temperament of the New Forest Pony

They are noted for friendliness, intelligence, strength, versatility and are nearly always willing-to-please. New Forestors are amongst the most approachable of all the native British pony breeds, perhaps because of their history of frequent contact with man.

Uses of the New Forest Pony

The New Forest ponies most endearing quality is their inbred, gentle nature. Their calm temperaent naturally recommends them as an excellent choice and an ideal mount for families seeking a horse suitable for both children and adults. They have long been raced locally and are surprisingly fast, especially over rough terrain. They are suited to many social activities from Pony Club to Polo, Driving to Dressage, and they are naturals at jumping and gymkhana and are successfully trained to carry handicapped riders.

All in all, the modern New Forest Pony is an exceptional all-round pony, with a definite character taken from its environment.

Interesting Facts

There is no question that the New Forest Pony has been improved as a result of outside blood, but it has also brought about a pony whose type is not always readily distinguishable. Some 'improvements', although refining the pony, actually created problems for those horses not being able to cope with the sparse winter food.

In 1765 an attempt was made to improve the New Forest Pony bloodline with the use of a famous thoroughbred called Marske.

In the late 1850s Queen Victoria lent an Arab called Zorah to feudal caretakers to help strengthen the bloodline.

New Forest Pony Society

In 1891, the 'Society for the improvement of New Forest Ponies' was founded to offer Premuims to suitable stallions to run in the Forest. In 1906 the 'Burley & District New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society' started to register mares and youngstock and published its first stud book in 1910. From 1914 to 1959 registrations were recorded in the National Pony Society's Stud Book. In 1938 the two local Societies amalgamated and no outside blood has been permitted since the mid-1930s. In 1960 the New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society started to publish its own Stud Book and has done ever since

The notable features of New Forest Pony breeding of recent years have been the increase in the numbers of New Forest Ponies bred in private studs outside the New Forest and in the numbers pf ponies exported. There are now flourishing studs of registered New Forest Ponies not only in the UK but all over Europe and as far away as North America and Australia.

New Forest Pony Grading

In 2002 the Society began Grading Schemes. Ponies can now be examined and Graded for Performance and for Conformation . It is hoped that these schemes will encourage the keeping of better ponies and will enable people to see which bloodlines are preferable.