Watch out, stallions about!

The chair of the New Forest CDA has reminded members of the public to be extra vigilant in and around the Forest.

It comes amid the 21 stallions which are now out on the Forest for a six-week period, to breed with the free-roaming mares.

Their often unpredictable behaviour during this time means those out enjoying the New Forest should keep their distance, while dogs should be kept away and on leads.

‘Stallions are now out on the Forest and we’ve got some lovely looking animals out there,’ said chair Andrew Parry-Norton. ‘But please, members of the public, please do stay clear.

‘And if you’re out riding a pony, a stallion will come across to investigate and check you out to find out if you’re a threat or whether you can be included in the herd. So if you do ride, go right around the stallions and keep well away.

‘Also, the ponies are very skittish – they’re running all over the place at the moment and crossing roads very, very quickly so as drivers, please be aware of that.’

The stallions are are let out each year to help maintain the New Forest pony bloodlines and control the number of foals born each year. 

They are out on the Forest for several more weeks and can start coming in during the week beginning Monday, 16 June.