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New Forest Pony |
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New Forest Pony |
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Originating in the New Forest region of Great Britain, this mesomorphic pony is of national importance and has an aptitude as a riding pony. The New Forest Pony has a willing quality and docile temperament. Of the Mountain and Moorland breeds, it is the second-largest native pony in Britain. The pony is bred in its native habitat, where some 2,000 or more roam semi-wild among the heather, bogs and poor pastures. Ironically, New Foresters are the native British ponies least afraid of man. This pony is the most heterogenous, or least distinctive in type, of all the native pony breeds in Britain. This is partly due to the variuos influences of many breeds introduced into the Forest over the centuries, even until the 1930s. Another influence on type has been the some 60,000 acres of territory, which is not as remote or as wild as the territories of other British ponies. While some were turned loose with the intent of improving the breed, others were released into the herds indiscriminately.
The New Forest Pony originated in the New Forest , which is an area of woodland in Hampshire, in southern England. Ponies which were known to have lived in this area since the 11th century are believed to be the ancestors of today's sturdy little ponies. Records of horses running free in the forest date to the reign of King Canute, in the 11th century. How they came to be there is not recorded. After 1079 the New Forest became a hunting reserve to William the Conqueror. The forest has somewhat sparse pastures which often only provide heather and low-quality grass. Under these conditions, the ponies adapted and became hardy. In addition, while they searched for food, they developed sure-footedness.
Other native horses which roamed the countryside crossed with the New Forest, and periodic introductions of certain breeds assisted in upgrading the herds. Arabian stallions were introduced into this reserve during the 19th century at the request of Queen Victoria, who allowed her own Arabian stallion, Zora (or Zorah) to roam with the ponies for eight years, starting in 1852. Other pony breed infusions followed, including Welsh, Dartmoor, Exmoor and Highland ponies, resulting in today's New Forest Pony. Hackneys and Thoroughbreds were also introduced in attempts to improve the local stock. Nearly all of these have left their marks on the breed, with examples of a distinct Arabian head, or an Exmoor mealy nose. Almost all of the dun ponies are said to be a result of Highland pony influence.
Near the end of the 19th century, the first systematic efforts to improve the breed were made. The Society for the Improvement of New Forest Ponies was founded in 1891, offering premiums for quality stallions to turn loose in the forest. In 1905 the Burley and District New Forest Pony and Cattle Breeding Society was formed and began registering young mares and foals. The two societies merged in 1938, at which time no further outside influences were allowed. The ponies belong to the New Forest Commoners, whose properties bear ancient rights of grazing in the pastures and moors of the Forest. They are allowed too run free in a semi-wild state almost year-round. In the autumn, round-ups, known as "drifts," begin and are organized by the New Forest Agisters and the Commoners who own the ponies in a particular area. The Agisters are accountable to the New Forest Verderers, who are responsible for the daily welfare of the ponies. All those involved in the rounding up the ponies, mounted on fast ponies, carry on with shouting and whip-cracking to herd the ponies into railed enclosures known as "pounds." The ponies are then wormed and checked. The Agister "marks" the ponies by cutting their tails into a special pattern to indicate that the 'marking,' or grazing, fee has been paid.
Mares and some foals are turned back into the Forest, while the foals which are to be sold are removed from the pounds. Pony sales are held each spring and autumn at Bealieu Road sale yards near Lyndhurst. There is one guarantee for each New Forest Pony that is sold - it is traffic proof! Each pony has grown up and lived daily with perpetual traffic on the roads within the Forest.
The New Forest pony stands between 12 and 14 hands (1.22-1.44 m) at the withers, with a maximum of 14hh (56" or 142cm). There is no official lower height limit and two categories have been defined. Section A includes ponies up to 13.2 hands high, and section B includes those between 13.2 and 14.2 hands. Ponies below 12 hands (48") seldom occur. It is permissible to have any coat color, except piebald and skewbald (British terms for pinto markings) or blue-eyed cream. The most common colors are bay and brown, grey is also prominent, and chestnuts, black and roans also occur. Some white markings on the head and legs are permitted.
Its attractive, well-proportioned pony-like head has a straight profile, a broad forehead, and a full forelock. The ears are nicely proportioned, the eyes are small, and nostrils flared. While the neck is not too long and muscular, the mane is long and full. It has prominent withers and a deep chest, with a fairly long and sloping shoulder that is well set-on. The deep body is narrow with a straight back, wide, sloping croup, and strong quarters. The well-set on tail is long and full. The sturdy, well-muscled legs are slender and straight with plenty of bone. The joints are broad and clean joints and tendons are clearly defined. The well-formed, round hoof is tough and comprised of tough horn. The ideal New Forester must be of riding type, and display free, straight movement. Movement should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated. Intelligent and docile, New Foresters make excellent family mounts. They are both strong enough to carry adults and narrow enough for children to ride. Only the smallest ponies are ridden exclusively by children. Since tourist traffic is frequent along the roads within the forest, and ponies have become accustomed to people and do not shy from vehicles. Because of the poor resources within the forest, the ponies are hardy and economical to keep. Noted for its intelligence, strength and versatility, the New Forest pony has a quiet, tractable temperament. Endeared for their gentleness, New Foresters are excellent for children, yet are also suitable for light adults to ride. They are idea for both riding and driving, and are versatile enough to tackle most equestrian activities with success.
Today New Forest mares are used with normal-sized horses to produce hunter-type horses suitable for equestrian sports, such as polo, and light draft. Some cross-breeding with Thoroughbreds and Arabs has been done to produce small riding horses. While there is a considerable range in height, this pony is generally regarded as a large Mountain and Moorland breed. Strong ponies, with plenty of bone and exceeding 13 hands, are desired by many breeders. These ponies have become popular worldwide, and are successful in a "kaleidoscope" of activities. Pony Club events include show jumping, eventing, gymkana, long-distance riding, polo-driving, harness, and dressage. A number of New Foresters have been successful in senior Riding Club competitions despite their size, which precludes them from many such events. Many New Forest ponies have been successfully trained to carry humans who are handicapped.
Due to their ever-growing popularity, New Forest Ponies are now bred outside of Great Britain, and many have been exported into Western Europe, Canada, the United States. There are even New Foresters in Australian and New Zealand. One has even been accepted into the registry for the Australian Stock Horse! Do you need any more proof of this breed's versatility?
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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