The New Forest is home to some famous animals, such as the iconic New Forest Pony.
Ponies have been part of the traditional forest scene for more than a thousand years, as well as donkeys, cows, pigs, and sheep who all belong to people who live locally and care for them.
Forest roads
Animals can be on the roads day or night and have the right of way. The speed limit on the unfenced roads in the New Forest is 40mph maximum, and lower in some areas.
Please take extra care when visibility is reduced or road conditions are poor, especially in the hours of darkness, freezing or wet weather. Always pass livestock wide and slow and allow extra time for your journey.
On all forest roads always expect the unexpected and be prepared to stop for animals.
Road safety
Operation Mountie is a Police-led multi-agency approach to reduce animal related injuries and deaths and is supported by many forest organisations and community groups.
Keeping people and animals safe
Drivers found to be speeding are stopped as part of these operations. Important educational advice about safety on New Forest roads is given to motorists, as well as robust enforcement for speeding and motoring offences.
Animal accidents
If you witness, or are involved, in a collision with an animal on New Forest roads please dial 999 and ask for the Police immediately. Use What3Words to give a location.
Livestock and commoning
The ponies, cows, donkeys, pigs and sheep grazing on the forest are all owned by New Forest commoners, who practice the ancient right to graze their livestock on the open forest.
Each pony is marked with the owner’s brand and each cow or sheep carries identification tags in its ears. Donkeys have a brand or an ear button. The local agister is familiar with the animals in their area and can often identify most of them individually.
Keep your distance
The animals roam freely, going anywhere they like, choosing the tastiest grasses and vegetation to keep themselves healthy. They may look friendly but they can bite and kick, especially when with their young. They need their space and should not be fed or petted by visitors. It’s vitally important that they are left to forage for themselves. Find out more about why you should keep your distance from them here.
Anyone found petting or feeding the animals can be fined.
Animal accidents - don't delay
To prevent unnecessary suffering, report all accidents immediately. Even if it runs off, the animal may have serious injuries.
It's the law
Report all accidents involving a pony, cow, donkey, dog, pig or sheep to the Police as soon as possible, and within 24 hours.
Remember
- Forest animals have no road sense and have the right of way.
- Drive slowly, especially at night, and give animals a wide berth.
- Don't feed or pet the animals. Anyone found doing so can be fined.
Frequently asked questions
To report Road Traffic Accidents involving Forest livestock (ponies, cattle, pigs, sheep and donkeys) and dogs – please call the Police on 999.
Please call the Verderers’ Office on 023 8028 2052 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or Forestry England on 0300 067 4600 (24 hours).
Sick, injured or distressed deer call Forestry England on 0300 067 4600 (24 hours).
If the deer is on the road, after or likely to cause Road Traffic Incident, alive or dead, please call the Police on 999.
Please note: Verderers, Agisters and commoners do not deal with deer incidents.
If you have lost your dog, please report it to New Forest District Council.
The Verderers are charged with regulating commoning on the Forest. They employ Agisters to oversee the welfare of the animals and each covers a part of the Open Forest. They have the Agisters’ roster and will pass the details of an incident on to the Agister on duty.
Livestock including ponies, cows, pigs, sheep and donkeys are owned and cared for by commoners who graze them on the Open Forest whereas other wild free roaming animals, for example deer, are not owned.