Tuesday 24 July 2012

The Forest Foals are Growing


The last week in July. Summer came two days ago and now the New Forest roads are busy with cars and people, on their way to the annual New Forest Show at Brockenhurst. I decided to travel in the opposite direction towards the coast, and here are some of the New Forest foals that I passed along the way.

Most of the foals were born in May this year. The weeks of rain have made the grass grow well, so the mares look healthy and their foals are growing tall, sturdy and confident. They are old enough to stray a little distance from their mothers and are often seen playing together, leaping and skipping about like new lambs.

This afternoon it was hot and humid. Time to nibble grass beside the road........




..........or stop for a snooze in the sun.



The heathland near Round Pond was scattered with ponies and commoners` cattle, all grazing near to this precious water source, where they will gather to drink in the cool of evening.



11 comments:

helen tilston said...

This is just a beautiful sight to behold. The countryside is truly beautiful.

Helen xx

The Stonehedge Farm said...

Love the pictures of the horses and foals! I am your newest follower.

Dartford Warbler said...

Hello The Stonehedge Farm and welcome! Thank you for becoming a follower.

Welcome to Ann from Ann`s Art too.

I know I`m not very good at individual replies to comments. It`s simply a time factor, but I do enjoy reading everyone`s comments and appreciate the regular visits of "old friends" from Blogland. DWx

The Weaver of Grass said...

Such lovely photographs DW - do any of the foals ever get killed or injured during the summer months when the roads are busy?

Dartford Warbler said...

Sadly they sometimes do Weaver, especially when the evenings grow darker. So many drivers have no contact with horses these days and are unaware how quickly they can spook and jump into the path of a car.

Having said that, many tourists are slow and careful around the ponies and it is often locals in a hurry who hit the ponies.

The road where these foals were grazing is straight, so pinch points have been put in which thankfully slows the traffic down.

When we moved into the Forest I had hoped to run a few mares on the Forest, but I`m just not tough enough to be a commoner and couldn`t bear to have my animals out on the roads. My contribution has been to give good homes to a few of the surplus colts over the years.

Ragged Robin said...

What lovely little foals. The New Forest looks beautiful - we sometimes drive through on our way to catch the ferry from Lymmington to Isle of Wight but one day I would love a short holiday there.

Mum said...

You live in a lovely part of the country. Those foals are certainly growing and doing some adventuring on their own. Please accept a 'One Lovely Blog' award from me. I love reading all your posts.
Love from Mum
xx

Bovey Belle said...

Lovely photos and good to see them all looking so well instead of pot-bellied mares otherwise like hat-racks . . . I liked that little roany foal (2nd photo). Have you got any "exotic" coloured ones this year? I noticed some spotted ones last year.

Pam said...

Perhaps I'll be a pony in my next life. It might be simpler.

Aunt Jane's Attic said...

Foals looking good, lovely water spot to keep horses cool. Julie xxx

Green Dragonette said...

Lovely to follow you back to your interesting blog! Last time I visited the New Forrest many years ago, I seem to remember we were chased by pigs! Are they still running loose? Ps-have tried to join your followers but Blogger seem to playing up and does not ‘recognise’ me!! I’ll try again later...