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| NEW FOREST PONIES - ABOUT THE BREED |
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| The New Forest Pony is a recognized British Isles breed but has an unusual background for a native pony breed. 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 life and trade in the New Forest, many outside breeds were introduced. Notable blood lines were Welsh, Thoroughbred, 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. |
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Height
The upper height limit is 148 cms. There is no lower limit. All ponies should be judged equally regardless of height. They are normally shown in 2 height sections 138 cms and under (competition type A) and over 138 cms (competition height B).
Colour
New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue eyed cream. Palomino or very light chestnut and cream ponies with dark eyes are not eligible as licensed stallions. Blue eyes are not permitted. White markings on the head and legs are permitted, except “a pony shall not have any white markings on pink skin behind the head, above a horizontal line level with the bony protuberance of the accessory carpal bone at the back of the knee in the forelimb, and the point of the hock in the hind limb.”
Type
New Forest ponies should be of working type with substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality.
Action
This should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.
Temperament
The New Forest Pony has an ideal temperament and should be very easy to train.
Ponies registered in the X Section of the Stud Book may not adhere to the Breed Standard. These ponies are not pemitted in Registered New Forest Pony classes. |
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| NEW FOREST PONY SHOWING RULES |
- Ponies are shown unplaited, but may have lightly pulled manes and tails. The jaw line and heels may be trimmed, but the whiskers should be left untrimmed.
- Clipping, except for the legs, is allowed for ponies 4 years and over, in in-hand, ridden and working pony classes.
- No make up or false hair is allowed or any other falsification of markings.
- Yearlings should not be shown in bits. Stud Stallions 2 years and over may be shown in bridles with bits. Chifney bits are not allowed in any circumstances.
- Judges have been asked to take behaviour and temperament into account and not to judge ponies whose behaviour they consider to be a danger to either its handler/rider or other competitors. Such a pony will be asked to leave the ring.
- No commercial, stud, or pony names to be displayed in the ring.
- 2 year olds are permitted to be shown without a licence.
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