Origin
England
History
The New Forest lies along the English coast between Southampton and Bournemouth in southwest Hampshire. The presence of ponies in the forest is first indicated in the Forest Law of Canute proclaimed in Winchester in 1016.
The first recorded attempt to upgrade the stock was made in 1208, when Welsh mares were introduced. But in 1765, the introduction of the Thoroughbred, Marske, in the forest brought the most distinguished outside influence on the new Forest Ponies. Marske was the Sire of Eclipse, the greatest racehorse of all time. Eclipse established his reputation in his first racing season in 1769, and Marske was immediately rescued from obscurity to stand at stud in Yorkshire.
The people leaving in the forest may have practiced some form of selective breeding in the following years. However, it was necessary to take positive action since the stock had degenerated and in 1852 Queen Victoria lent the Arabian stallion Zorah. Nevertheless, as a result of inbreeding within the herds, the deterioration of the New Forest Ponies continued. A stallion premium plan was developed, and in 1889 Queen Victoria lent two more stallions, the Arabian Abeyan and the Barb Yirrassan which had more influence, especially through a son of Abeyan out of a Welsh mare.
In 1891, the Society for the Improvement of New Forest Ponies was founded and the first stud book was published in 1910.Through Lord Arthur Cecil and Lord Lukas´intervention, huge amounts of native blood, using Black Galloways and other Highlands, Dales, Fells, Dartmoors, exmoors, and Welsh were brought in order to improve the lack of substance, bone and hardiness.
After the Second World War there emerged a group of five stallions that are recognized as being the foundation sires of the modern breed: Danny Denny; Goodenough; Brooming Slipon; Brookside David; Knightwood Spitfire.
Herds of ponies, which are the property of the Commoners, still live in the forest and are subject to the inevitable influence of a natural environment. Unhappily, they are also affected by modern pressures on the environment which result in a reduction of the available grazing areas and a deterioration in the quantity and quality of the feed supporting them.
Description
- Head:
is sometimes rather horselike - Conformation:
-long and sloping shoulders
-strong and well muscled quarters
-deep body
-straight legs with strong joints
-good, hard, rounded hooves - Average height:
12 to 14.2 h.h. - Colour:
New Forest Ponies may be of any colour than piebald, skewbald, or blue-eyed cream. Bays and browns predominate. White markings on the face or legs are permitted - Temperament:
docile, intelligent, tractable - Today:
this is an ideal pony for the entire family and is suitable for equestrian sports, driving or riding. Most New Forest ponies are good jumpers and are naturally good at gymkhana events and mounted games. They make excellent harness ponies. They have been successfully trained for dressage, polo, long-distance riding, cross-country events, and carrying the disabled.
