| The New Forest UK National Park covered in white, | | | | it, plastic and all and die in agony! This sounds a tale of |
| fluffy snow is a truly beautiful and magical sight to see. | | | | gloom and doom, but it isn't, on the whole. All the New |
| However, it is also a very harsh environment for the | | | | Forest ponies I have seen since Christmas have been |
| New Forest ponies, other animals and wildlife which | | | | fed with quantities of hay by their diligent Commoner |
| have to try to survive in this stunning area day by day. | | | | owners and have been munching their way through |
| As the temperatures drop and food is virtually non | | | | many expensive bales of hay each day, in various |
| existent. | | | | locations on the New Forest. |
| Let me share my experience of living in this beautiful | | | | The New Forest pony breed is extremely tough and |
| landscape with you, and also try to give you an insight | | | | sturdy. They are mild mannered and that is why they |
| into what it is like for the wildlife and animals and how | | | | make lovely first ponies for children. |
| they cope. | | | | How they adapt to a harsh winter of snow: |
| What usually surprises visitors to the New Forest is | | | | - Insulation - their coats are made up of various layers |
| that each pony, donkey, cow, pig or very rarely sheep | | | | which provide different types of insulation - providing |
| you see grazing on your visit, is actually owned by | | | | they don't get too wet and then too cold |
| someone. These owners are called Commoners and | | | | - Using their bottoms to face the storm! - it really is |
| they have an ancient right bestowed on them, from | | | | true because I have seen it many times. When a |
| their property, called "Commoners Rights". | | | | blizzard or hailstorm is coming the ponies will always |
| For a yearly fee they can put their animals out on the | | | | turn so their behinds get the full blast of the storm. |
| New Forest to graze. In the summer they can get | | | | They do this so that the bad weather hits their |
| round and healthy, but in the winter they may barely | | | | backsides and travels along their (hopefully) rounded |
| make it through to the following spring. The | | | | tums and along to their front - but misses their heads |
| Commoners are responsible for the welfare of their | | | | and more vulnerable bits! - amazing adaptation or |
| animals and must ensure they are well and get enough | | | | what? |
| to eat at all times. | | | | - Feeding - they are constantly eating: grass, heather, |
| This is very hard to achieve when snow is on the | | | | bracken and gorse and anything green they can find. |
| ground and food is very scarce. | | | | To see them eat gorse is quite unique - have you |
| At no time could the New Forest be described as a | | | | ever touched gorse? It is like razor blades. They |
| winter wonderland for the New Forest animals. | | | | delicately use their tongues to make it flatter and less |
| Here are just a few dangers they face every day: | | | | thorny before giving it a very tentative chew! Ouch. |
| - Starvation - to keep warm they must constantly | | | | - Shelter - gorse has another really great use and that |
| graze and eat whatever they can find | | | | is why you see it, and smell it, with its coconut scent, all |
| - Death by cold - if they get too wet or too low by not | | | | over the New Forest. The ponies use it as a field |
| getting enough food they may collapse and die | | | | shelter and all huddle in the great clumps away from |
| - Death by car etc on the New Forest roads - many | | | | the penetrating wind and rain and today - snow! I hope |
| die each year | | | | you have enjoyed this insight into living in the New |
| - Death by ignorance - it's illegal to feed the New | | | | Forest UK National Park during the harsh, snow bound |
| Forest ponies - why? They may die from cholic or | | | | winter. There are lots of photos for you to see on my |
| choke to death if you try to feed them - they only | | | | New Forest travel site - you will get an idea of just |
| need the vegetation of the New Forest - not a | | | | how bad this snow was for the New Forest. |
| sandwich please! | | | | I think you will agree that NO WAY is it a winter |
| - Death by litter - all animals are curious and usually | | | | wonderland for the New Forest ponies and other |
| greedy - if you leave your picnic behind and don't take | | | | animals and wildlife who have to survive in it. |
| your rubbish home, the New Forest ponies etc will eat | | | | |