New Forest Pony

Looks how to spot one

body

The New Forest Pony is a sturdy, workmanlike riding pony with sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and hard round feet. It is narrow enough for small children yet strong enough to carry adults.6

Personality what they are like

The New Forest Pony is known for its friendly, calm and willing-to-please nature. It is intelligent, easy to train and has a good sense of humour, making it suitable for both children and adults. Of all native British pony breeds, it is the least afraid of people.45

Daily activity how busy a day looks

New Forest Ponies need regular exercise and thrive on a variety of activities including riding, driving, jumping, dressage, endurance and gymkhana. They are naturally active and enjoy being kept busy.45

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Standard horse grooming applies: regular brushing to keep the coat clean and healthy, hoof care, dental checks and vaccinations. They are hardy and can live outdoors year-round with appropriate shelter and feeding adjustments for winter.2

Home where they are happiest

New Forest Ponies are hardy and can live outdoors all year if fit, but they need access to shelter such as trees or a field shelter. They require a safe, well-fenced paddock with fresh water. In the New Forest they roam freely over heathland, woods and bogs.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Their natural diet consists mainly of grass, supplemented by gorse, heather, holly, ash leaves and bark. In a domestic setting they need good quality hay or pasture, and should not be fed human food or grass clippings as these can cause colic.2

Company who they like around

New Forest Ponies are social animals and should be kept with other horses or ponies. In the New Forest they live in semi-wild herds. They are not wild animals but are owned by commoners and are used to people, though they should not be fed by hand as this encourages bad habits.2

The story where it all began

The New Forest Pony is one of the oldest native pony breeds in the UK, with records of horses in the New Forest dating back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted. Over centuries the breed was shaped by natural selection on the open heathland, woods and bogs of the New Forest. In the 19th century, selective introduction of Arab, Thoroughbred, Welsh and other native bloodlines refined the breed while retaining its strength and stamina. Today, ponies still roam freely on the New Forest, owned by local commoners who have the right to graze animals there. The breed is registered and microchipped, and is recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as a native breed at risk.17

Recognised by the official bits

New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society (NFPB & CS)

Official breed society in England4

Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)

Listed on the watchlist as a native breed at risk1