The Gallery
Learning about and practising commoning on the New Forest.
In medieval times a forest meant an area preserved for royal hunting, and not a wooded area as it does today.
The Agisiter ensures welfare standards of the free-roaming animals are maintained.
The ‘architects’ of the New Forest.
The New Forest landscape supports many species of plants, insects, birds and mammals. It should be valued as a reserve for nature.
One of many gatherings where Commoners can exchange news, information and knowledge.
Pannage season is part of the ancient commoning rights and a popular tradition.
Traditional management practices, particularly commoning, have conserved the ecological diversity of the Forest.
Tag Archives: New forest
New Forest pony: wild or tame but always clever.
The free-roaming ponies of the New Forest are often described as ‘wild’ but it would be more accurate to define them as ‘semi-feral’. The only truly wild horse still in existence is the Przewalski’s horse (Equus caballus przewalskii), a breed … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony
Tagged Brumby, Commoner, equine, Equus caballus przewalskii, feral, horses, Mustang, New forest, New Forest pony, predator, prey species, Przewalski's horse, selective breeding, semi-feral, Wild horses
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Commoning: cooperation and coordination
The practice of commoning on the New Forest is generally a very sociable enterprise. The support and cooperation of other commoners is essential for maintaining the welfare of the free-roaming stock. When I go out on the Forest I always … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Agisters, commoning, Cow, drifts, mastitis, New forest, New Forest pony, ponies, round-up, snake bite, veterinarian
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Unusual tails from the New Forest
Attending the annual pony-round ups, known as drifts, is an important part of a New Forest commoner’s calendar. The drifts were ordered to take place each year fifteen days after Michaelmas, by Henry VIII in 1540, and continue more or … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Agisiter, drift, Henry VIII, marking fee, Michaelmas, New forest, Open Forest, pony, tail cutting, tail marking
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Early morning deer rescue!
It’s a good job I’m an early riser. Before the clock had struck 6am this morning (September 2014) I was doing some stable duties in the yard and heard a commotion in the paddock. My mare was snorting, making that … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest flora & fauna
Tagged fallow deer, Forestry Commission, muntjak deer, New forest, red deer, roe deer, sika deer, Verderers, wildlife
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New Forest Pannage Season: ‘here piggy, piggy!’
The pannage season has officially started. Residents and visitors may be lucky enough to see the traditional sight of free-roaming pigs foraging on the forest floor from now until November. The term ‘pannage’ is of late Middle English origin and … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, Pannage season
Tagged acorns, Agisters, Common of Mast, New forest, New Forest pony, Pannage, passage, pig, porcine, swine, tannins, Verderers
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Autumn: the season of tradition and heritage
Autumn is a time when the traditional rural practices and cultural heritage of the New Forest come alive. The annual drifts, or pony round-ups, that were ordered by Henry VIII in 1540, are in full progress and are still conducted … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift, Pannage season
Tagged acorns, Agisiter, beech mast, Commoner, countryside, drift, heritage, Mast Year, New forest, Pannage, pigs, pony, round-up, Tradition
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Colt hunting on the New Forest
On the New Forest ponies are always referred to as ‘colts’ irrespective of whether they are mares or geldings, young or old. Every now and then it becomes necessary for a commoner to catch-up an individual pony or mare with … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony
Tagged Agister, colt-hunting, Commoner, corral, cow boy, drift, foal, lasso, Latin America, mare, New forest, North America, Open Forest, pen, pony, pound, round-up, tailing, Wild horses
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Drifting on the New Forest
Being a commoner on the New Forest involves continuing a pastoral system that is steeped in history. In the 16th century Henry VIII, who is better known for marrying six wives and establishing the Church of England, created laws that … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Commoner, cull, drift, foal, Henry VIII, horse, Horses Act 1540, knight, mare, New forest, pony, pound, round-up, sense, stallion
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Abandoned horses and ponies
Owning a pony is a dream for many. For those of us lucky enough to have our own pony (or ponies) it is a hugely enjoyable, if a somewhat expensive and time consuming, activity. I feel that some months it … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony
Tagged abandoned, Agister, Animal Welfare Act, Commoner, commoning, depasture, horses, New forest, Open Forest, ponies, pony, Verderers, welfare
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Many colours of the New Forest.
While walking in the Forest of late it is very evident that autumn is fast approaching. The early morning mists that weave silken ribbons of silver vapour through the valleys and woods are a telltale sign. Some of the leaves … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest
Tagged architects of the forest, autumn, bay, brown, colours, filly, Forest, green, grey, heathland, landscape, lilac, mare, New forest, ponies, pony, purple
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