Education

The Verderers of the New Forest provide resources for educational purposes…

Education

The Verderers have published a series of pamphlets describing their responsibilities, the role of Agisters, and an overview of Commoners and their stock. A pamphlet is also available on a recently introduced scheme to support financially the continued release of stock into the Forest – the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The stock make a vital contribution to the Forest’s ecology and landscape.

The pamphlets are available for download below (as pdf files)

The Verderers have also published policies to preserve the special qualities of the New Forest. Policies and Byelaws

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been introduced by New Forest District Council supported by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest. The use of BBQs and fires in the Forest, and feeding and petting ponies or donkeys are all banned, with those failing to comply liable to a fixed penalty fine or prosecution.

Their introduction follows repeated fire damage to the Forest caused by campfires and BBQs, and the growing risk of wildfires due to increasingly hotter and drier conditions. The PSPO bans the lighting of fires of any type including BBQs and any outdoor cooking facilities or equipment. It also makes it an offence to place, throw or drop items likely to cause a fire such as lit cigarettes.
Concern over the safety of the public and Forest animals, following injuries to the people and animal deaths resulting from being fed human food, created the need to better manage public interactions with these free-roaming animals. The PSPO relating to this activity bans feeding and petting ponies or donkeys on the Forest.

Teams from Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest will be patrolling and engaging with the public to explain more about the new rules. Signs and information will be in place across the Forest. Along with other key things to know about visiting the area, the new rules will also be highlighted in the New Forest Code, widely publicised across the area and shared by local tourism businesses with many visitors before and during their stay.

The orders started in July 2023 and where necessary can be enforced by issuing fixed penalty notices of £100, a sum which can rise to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

More Info

Animal Accidents and Welfare

A summary of the deaths and injuries in stock for the period 1956-onwards 2019 and last week’s accidents are available below:

Forest stock killed 1956-2024 – Forest Stock Numbers and RTA Stats 1956 onwards

The National Park’s website has some excellent information on Animal Accidents, Who is Doing What to prevent them and how to avoid accidents by Driving Carefully.

Animal Accidents & Animal Welfare

Forest Do’s And Don’ts

PLEASE DON’T FEED OR TOUCH THE PONIES!

The ponies are semi-wild although some may not appear so. It is important that you do not feed them either by hand or by throwing food on the ground. The ponies do not need it and some things may make them ill. Unfortunately, hand feeding also makes some ponies aggressive and every year people are attacked because people feed the ponies and they become greedy and demand more. A pony which causes injury to a person is usually removed from the Forest permanently. That is unfair to the pony whose home is the Forest and it is unfair on its owner. Remember – the ponies belong to someone else.

LEARN TO RECOGNISE WHEN A PONY IS FEELING GRUMPY!

Ears laid back means “go away and leave me alone” or it may mean “give me your sandwich”! In such situations it is wise to retreat as quickly as possible! A bite or kick from a pony hurts and the latter could break your leg. A child could be killed.

PLEASE DON’T DROP LITTER

Apart from being unsightly (and illegal), dropping litter in the Forest is harmful to the animals.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR BIN-BAGS INSIDE YOUR GATE

If you live or stay in a property with Forest animals just outside the gate, leave your bin-bag inside the gate and out of reach of inquisitive animals. The animals make a horrible mess when they tear open a bag of rubbish and of course, they may injure themselves on a sharp tin or become ill if they eat the wrong things.

PLEASE DON’T DUMP GRASS CUTTINGS OR HEDGE CLIPPINGS ON THE FOREST

Strange though it may seem, as lawn mowings are after all “grass”, they are LETHAL to ponies and donkeys. Lawn mowings left in a heap heat up and start to ferment. If they are eaten by ponies and donkeys gas is released into the animal’s stomach and intestine. Their stomach or intestine may then rupture and the animal dies in agony. Clippings from yew, laburnum, rhododendron, some conifers, azaleas and many other garden plants are poisonous to animals and for these reasons all garden waste must be disposed of properly and not dumped on the Forest.

KEEP THE GATE SHUT!

Whether a gate goes into an inclosure, a field or a garden, it is there to keep the animals out. Animals have come to serious harm through getting into places where they shouldn’t be. Occupiers of property within the Forest have a duty to fence against legally depastured stock. That means if your fence is rotten or your gate is left open and a pony gets in and tramples your beautiful lawn or eats your shrubs you cannot claim compensation from the animal’s owner. Indeed, if the animal is injured or is poisoned in your garden the owner may claim compensation from you! There have been cases of animals falling into swimming pools (especially if they are covered with plastic sheets) and apart from the poor animal drowning, the owner of the property has been successfully sued.

DO KEEP YOUR DOGS UNDER CONTROL

Every year Forest animals, particularly young ones, are injured by dogs. Some are even killed or die later from infected bites. We all love to let our dogs run on the Forest and provided they are reliable around animals that is fine. If in doubt, however, keep your dog on a lead. Remember also that at certain times of year some quite rare birds nest on the ground and a nest which has been destroyed is a sorry sight. In spring the deer have their young and a fawn left whilst mum goes to feed is very vulnerable.

DO ENJOY THE FOREST AND ITS ANIMALS

Watch from a safe distance and enjoy the animals and the unique beauty of the Forest. Remember that the Forest is the animals’ home and it is only fair to respect it and let them live in peace.

Other Resources

Forest Code states

Be safe and plan ahead – follow any signs and aim to be out of the Forest by dusk.
Close all gates behind you unless they have been fastened open.
Do not pick or remove plants or flowers.
Do not feed or disturb the common stock – ponies, cattle and donkeys. Give them space and do not touch them.
Take your litter home and do not light fires.
Keep to the existing tracks on the Forest when the birds nest on the ground (1st March – 31st July). At this time keep your dog close by you or you may be asked by a Forest Ranger or Keeper to put it on a lead.
Keep below the Forest speed limit (40 m.p.h.) and slow down when approaching walkers, riders or livestock.
Do not park on the verges or in gateways. Use one of the many car parks.
Keep well away from any forestry work and obey the warning signs.

Other Codes

There are also dog walking, cycling, horse riding and coarse fishing codes published by a forum of local people and organisations interested in conservation and recreation.

They can be downloaded below:

Useful Links

The links below provide more information on the management and history of the Forest, and its importance in ecological, environmental and agricultural terms.

All links open in a new window

Commoning

Commoning in the New Forest refers to the traditional practice where local people, known as “commoners,” have the legal right to use the land for specific purposes, such as grazing their livestock or collecting resources. This centuries-old system is central to the cultural and ecological fabric of the New Forest.

The Verderers

The Verderers of the New Forest are an ancient and unique governing body responsible for protecting and managing the traditional rights, landscape, and ecology of the New Forest in southern England. They play a central role in overseeing commoning practices

Agisters

An Agister in the New Forest is an official responsible for managing the welfare of livestock grazing on the open forest. They play a key role in supporting the traditional practice of commoning and ensuring the well-being of the animals that roam freely within the forest boundaries.

Latest News

The Verderers publish regular announcements that include, protecting communing rights, managing livestock, conservation and environmental issues, resolving disputes, education and monitoring developments with the New Forest.

Report an Incident

Report Road Traffic incident involving Forest stock call 999. For sick, injured or dead Forest stock call 02380 282052 (normal office hours) or 0300 067 4600 (outside office hrs).

Report an Incident