The New Forest Canute's Forest Law of 1016 records the presence of horses among the other wild animals of the Forest. The New Forest Pony has always been valued for its docility, hardiness,strength and sureness of foot.

From time to time Thoroughbred and Arab blood have been incorporated to increase height and looks. But it wasn't until the C19 that systematic efforts to improve the breed were made. The New Forest is highly versatile and is well knonw for its jumping ability.

In 1891, The Society for the improvement of New Forest Ponies was founded to offer Premiums to suitable stallions to run on the Forest. In 1906, the Burley & District New Forest Pony Bredding & Cattle Society started to register mares and youngstock and published it's first Stud Book in 1910.

From 1914 to 1959 registrations were recorded in the National Pony Society's Stud Book. In 1960, the New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society started to publish it's own Stud Book has done so ever since.

The New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society have an excellent website with a full history of the New Forest Pony and all information about sales, competitions, pedigrees and much more..

For more information :

The New Forest Pony Website

Contact:
The New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society
Randalls Farm, Burley Street, Ringwood, Hants. BH24 4HJ
Telephone / Fax: 01425 402459
e-mail:forestpony@enterprise.net