New Forest pony

Overview

The New Forest pony takes its name from the New Forest in Hampshire, where ponies still graze the open heathland, woods and bogs. They are owned by local commoners, and each one is registered and microchipped. The breed standard calls for "working type with substance": ponies able to carry adults, but narrow enough for small children.

History

Ponies have lived in the Forest for a very long time. The bones of a 13-hand pony were found at the Roman villa at Rockbourne, and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust notes evidence of the breed in the region during the reign of King Canute, in 1016. In 1507, mounts from the New Forest were shipped to the French wars. In 1791 William Gilpin recorded the belief that the New Forest horse was of Spanish origin.

In the 19th century, outside blood was brought in to improve the ponies. The Verderers hired stallions, and Queen Victoria lent two Arab stallions. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust notes Arab, Thoroughbred and Welsh bloodlines in this period. A society to run a stallion show was formed in 1891. In 1905 the Burley and District New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society started the stud book and the breed show. The use of outside stallions peaked early in the 20th century, and since 1930 only New Forest stallions have been allowed to run on the Forest.

Breed standard

• Height: the upper limit is 148 cm. There is no lower limit, and ponies are judged equally whatever their height.
• Colour: the base colours bay/brown, black and chestnut, with roan (bay roan, chestnut roan, blue roan) and grey. A single copy of the cream gene is permitted, giving palomino, buckskin (often called dun) and smoky black. Two copies, giving colours such as cremello, perlino and blue-eyed cream, are not permitted in the main studbook. Piebald, skewbald and spotted patterns do not occur in the breed.
• White markings: allowed on the head and lower legs only, below set levels at the knee and hock.
• Type: a working type with substance. Sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good, hard, round feet. Smaller ponies, though they cannot carry as much weight, often show more quality.
• Action: free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.

Temperament and uses

The breed standard describes the New Forest pony's temperament as amenable, making it suitable for many disciplines. Every foal is inspected before it is entered in the stud book. As with any breed, individual ponies vary.

Health and management

Native ponies evolved to live on sparse grazing. Research at the Royal Veterinary College notes that ponies tend to be more insulin resistant than horses, which makes them more prone to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This trait is genetic, probably an adaptation to harsh environments, and on richer grazing it leads to obesity, EMS and a higher risk of laminitis. World Horse Welfare names obesity as the biggest risk factor for EMS, and says insulin testing is a valuable way to assess the risk of laminitis and EMS in native breeds. Keep an eye on weight and body condition, and ask your vet about testing.

Conservation

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists the New Forest pony as At Risk on its Watchlist.