New Forest Ponies of Hampshire England Mug

Two New Forest Ponies express affection for each other, in a forest clearing. Friendship is for both humans and animals. Photo by Skye Ryan-Evans. "The New Forest pony is one of the recognised mountain and moorland or native pony breeds of the British Isles.[1] Height varies from around 12 hands (48 inches, 122 cm) to 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm); ponies of all heights should be strong, workmanlike, and of a good riding type. They are valued for hardiness, strength, and sure-footedness. The breed is indigenous to the New Forest in Hampshire in southern England, where equines have lived since before the last Ice Age; remains dating back to 500,000 BC have been found within 50 miles (80 km) of the heart of the modern New Forest. DNA studies have shown ancient shared ancestry with the Celtic-type Asturcón and Pottok ponies. Many breeds have contributed to the foundation bloodstock of the New Forest pony, but today only ponies whose parents are both registered as purebred in the approved section of the stud book may be registered as purebred." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Forest_pony