About Commoning
The commoning community are a vibrant and diverse community of people who come from all walks of life. Individually they have rights to turn ponies, cattle, pigs, donkeys and sheep out to graze and browse the New Forestโs woodlands, heathlands and lawns. Together the commoners and their animals have shaped the New Forest for generations. There are five Forest Rights:
Pasture, Mast, Estovers, Turbary and Marl
Commoning year
September
The drift season is in full swing and the first of the Autumn sales is held at Beaulieu Road. Pigs go out to pannage for the Autumn
The Shared Forest
Latest News
New Forest Drifts – what they are, why they take place and advice to public
30th September 2026
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 ... READ MORE
Bluetongue virus case reported in the New Forest
28th September 2026
A case of Bluetongue virus has been reported in the south of the New Forest over the weekend (September 26/27). The New Forest Commoners' Defence Association urges all cattle ... READ MORE
Beaulieu Road pony sale changes announced
23rd September 2026
The New Forest Livestock Society has announced changes to the remaining Beaulieu Road pony sales planned for the remainder of the year. The sale scheduled for Thursday, 5 ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA latest update: DEFRA meeting, commoning and Bluetongue
21st September 2026
New Forest Commoners' Defence Association chair Andrew Parry-Norton has shared his latest thoughts on a number of issues during his latest video update Andrew talks about his ... READ MORE
New Forest pony drifts to begin in October
17th September 2026
The 2026 New Forest pony drifts are scheduled to begin at the start of October. It comes after the latest assessment of equine flu in the Forest, with its impact seemingly on the ... READ MORE
How New Forest Commoners can track equine flu outbreaks
14th September 2026
With equine influenza continuing to be a concern for horse owners and Commoners in the New Forest, it is important to stay informed about reported outbreaks and take appropriate ... READ MORE
Save the date: New Forest CDA mid-term meeting
7th September 2026
New Forest CDA members are warmly invited to the mid-term meeting which will be taking place in November. It will be held at Bramshaw Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm on ... READ MORE
New Forest pannage season dates confirmed for 2026
3rd September 2026
The dates for this yearโs New Forest pannage season have been confirmed. Pigs will be turned out by Commoners across the Forest from Monday, 14 September until Sunday, 29 ... READ MORE
October Beaulieu Road pony sales cancelled
27th August 2026
The next pony sales at Beaulieu Road, scheduled to take place in early October, has been cancelled. It comes amid the ongoing outbreak of equine flu in the New Forest, which ... READ MORE
UPDATE: New Forest Drifts postponed after equine flu outbreak
25th August 2026
The Verderers of the New Forest have announced the start of the Drift season has been postponed due to the ongoing outbreak of equine flu. As a result, no Drifts will take ... READ MORE
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