Trying to purchase a New Forest pony? The versatile breed ought to undoubtedly be thought-about should you’re on the lookout for a hardy, clever and enjoyable pony to take pleasure in or compete.

What’s a New Forest pony?

The New Forest is without doubt one of the British native breeds. The New Forest is a well-liked selection for a lot of disciplines attributable to their variation in top, versatility and talent to show their hoof to many alternative spheres. New Forest ponies have an ever rising presence within the present ring in each flat and dealing hunter courses. The 2023 Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) ridden M&M champion was the stallion Vynnes Magical Version. In addition they make an incredible selection for different disciplines, from Pony Membership to eventing, from searching to showjumping.

The New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society is the guardian of the breed: “The earliest report of horses within the New Forest dates again to 1016 when rights of frequent pasture have been granted to the individuals dwelling in what was a royal searching floor. Since then, both as particular makes an attempt to enhance the breed or simply as a part of the conventional life and commerce within the New Forest, many exterior breeds have been launched. Notable bloodlines have been Welsh, Thoroughbred, Arab and Hackney. Later, one other concerted effort was made to enhance the New Forest blood and different British Isles pony bloodlines have been launched to realize this, together with Fell Ponies, Dales, Highlands, Dartmoor and Exmoor.”

The New Forest pony has an higher top restrict of 148cm and there’s no decrease top restrict. New Forest ponies could also be any color besides piebald, skewbald, noticed or blue-eyed cream. Palomino or very gentle chestnut and cream ponies with darkish eyes should not eligible as licensed stallions.

The society gives the next breed customary for the New Forest pony:

Sort: New Forest ponies must be of working kind with substance. They need to have sloping shoulders, robust quarters, loads of flat bone, good depth of physique, straight limbs and good onerous spherical toes. The ponies are fairly able to carrying adults, whereas slim sufficient for young children. The smaller ponies, although lower than a lot weight, usually present extra high quality.
Motion: This must be free, energetic and straight, however not exaggerated.
Temperament: The New Forest Pony has an amenable temperament that typically makes it very appropriate for a number of disciplines.
White markings: Apart from on the top and decrease limbs: lack of, or absence of, pigment in hair or pores and skin that isn’t identified to have been related solely with pores and skin trauma, is just not acceptable. So, for the needs of entry into the authorised part of the studbook, a pony shall not have any white markings on pink pores and skin behind the top, above a horizontal line degree with the bony protuberance of the accent carpal bone behind the knee within the forelimb, and the purpose of the hock within the hind limb, until confirmed to be attributable to trauma/damage.

What ought to I search for in a New Forest?

Vee Taheri-Sinfield is a decide and a breed fanatic who has competed New Forests for a few years at prime degree. She primarily competes in working hunter courses, producing ponies by means of the ranks. In 2013 she made historical past when her pony Mallards Wooden Full Monty turned the primary New Forest to win a Royal Worldwide Horse Present (RIHS) working hunter closing.

“Whether or not you need to present, bounce, occasion or do Pony Membership, the New Forest is an effective selection,” Vee begins. “Temperament is paramount and it’s an important attribute to look out for, alongside breed kind, which is so necessary and shouldn’t be neglected.

“The pinnacle of a New Forest must be plain – it doesn’t have to be fairly. Motion must be straight and never exaggerated; these ponies have been bred to outlive on hostile terrain, not on picnic lawns as some are led to imagine! They’ve been required to navigate bogs, ponds, steams and dense woodlands so hardiness can be a key trait.

“Ponies ought to have a adequate quantity of excellent, clear bone for his or her measurement; I prefer to see at the very least 7.5 inches. They need to have a set of robust and open toes, not too upright or low on the heels; most ponies can compete and be labored barefoot.

“The higher top restrict is 148cm nevertheless a number of the up-to-height ponies can lose their pony traits,” Vee provides. “Effectively-balanced and proportioned ponies ought to stay true to kind if scaled up or down.

“The New Forest will at all times be my selection; they mix temperament, bravery and willingness in equal measures. I might additionally by no means rule out a part-bred New Forest if you’re seeking to showjump, occasion or do dressage.”

Main exhibiting decide Malcolm Fry tells H&H: “The New Forest might be difficult to evaluate in some ways because of the vary of sorts, sizes and shapes discovered throughout the breed, and the very fact they’re categorised as a big breed regardless of having no decrease top restrict. The larger ponies are usually extra profitable as they’re extra business, nevertheless smaller ponies are being neglected much less and fewer as judges change into extra educated.

“You possibly can have two beautiful ponies, another sporty with flash and motion, and another typey, maybe a Forest-bred pony with extra limb and substance, competing towards one another,” Malcolm provides. “We’re fortunate to have each, the horse that’s representing the kind and the opposite which might get up towards the flashier breeds within the ring. As a breed we’re sizzling on good limbs, high quality bone, good toes – crucial in any breed – brief cannons, large joints, depth of physique and an excellent, robust entrance.”

I need to purchase a New Forest pony – the place ought to I look?

There are on-line sale websites, akin to Whickr, which have New Forest ponies marketed once they come up on the market.

“Approaching breeders with an excellent popularity is an effective place to begin,” advises Vee. “Should you’re adventurous and have an excellent eye for a pony, you can even decide up an excellent teen or a foal from the annual Beaulieu Highway Pony Gross sales.

“Whereas they do come on the open market at occasions, the New Forest tends to remain within the household for some time; they’re versatile and might be handed to numerous family members so that they at all times have a job,” Vee provides. “Personally, I like to purchase children to again, carry on and compete. Typically, I hold a pony for years, although, as they’re such a pleasure to have round.”

How a lot ought to I anticipate to pay?

The value of a pony will rely on a number of elements, together with breeding, age and competitors report.

“I don’t are inclined to spend some huge cash on ponies as I want to purchase foals or uncooked children,” Vee explains. “I’ve purchased prime ponies for a whole bunch reasonably than 1000’s as I acquired them as weedy children that I assumed had potential.

“Costs do fluctuate, however on common you need to anticipate to spend a minimum of £3,000 on a top quality pony that is able to do a job, although you can most likely get a smaller or a extra Pony Membership high quality pony for much less. Some over-height Foresters which have made prime occasion or competitors ponies might be value a fortune. In in the present day’s market the place the New Forest is a extremely valued breed, the sky actually is the restrict.”

What occurs once I’ve agreed to purchase a New Forest pony?

Should you determine to buy a pony it’s time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, one thing that’s strongly beneficial. It’s necessary to let the vet know previous to the vetting what you propose to make use of the horse for to allow them to assess it accordingly.

“I don’t are inclined to have ponies vetted, however I might at all times really feel extra assured promoting a pony that has been vetted and would suggest a two-stage vet evaluation in any case if you’re much less skilled,” Vee says.

For extra data, you’ll be able to learn H&H’s final information to purchasing a horse.

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H&H exhibiting editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the exhibiting scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the 12 months Present and Olympia and has first-hand information of the present points within the exhibiting world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each exhibiting experiences and present exhibiting information within the UK.