New Forest Drifts – what they are, why they take place and advice to public

Every autumn, the New Forest comes alive as the free-roaming ponies, cattle and donkeys are rounded up as part of Drift season.

The Drifts, which take place over several months, form an essential part of Commoners’ lives and how they manage their livestock and offers a glimpse into the living heritage of the New Forest.

What are the Drifts?

The Drifts are carefully coordinated events where agisters, supported by Commoners and other helpers, gather animals from across the Forest into temporary enclosures known as pounds.

The work is done on foot and on horseback, and follows set routes that have been used for generations.

The term ‘drift’ comes from the way the animals are steadily moved or ‘drifted’ across the open landscape and into the pounds. Once there, each animal is checked and dealt with as needed before being turned back out onto the Forest.

Why do the Drifts take place?

The Drifts take place for a number of reasons, primarily:

• Health checks – Animals are inspected to ensure they are in good condition. Any that are unfit can be treated or removed from the Forest
• Welfare management – Foals are branded with their owner’s mark, and some animals may be wormed or vaccinated
• Stock control – Commoners can limit the numbers of animals they turn out by selling, resting or keeping them in over the winter
• Conservation balance – By managing numbers and health, the drifts help ensure grazing levels remain sustainable for the unique habitats of the New Forest

Advice to the public

It is important to remember that managing the Drifts is hard and necessary work.

For safety reasons, members of the public are asked to keep well clear of Drift routes and pounds, and to give working riders and animals plenty of space.

Safeguarding a living tradition

The Drifts embody the partnership between the New Forest, its landscapes, its wildlife, and the Commoners who continue centuries-old rights of grazing.

Without them, the health of the animals – and the balance of the Forest itself – could not be maintained.

Find out more

To see a full list of upcoming car park closures for the Drifts, head to the Forestry England website

Please note dates can change at short notice due to operational reasons.

Announcements will also be made on the New Forest CDA’s Facebook page