Beaulieu Road New Forest public pony sales return after three-year hiatus

THE first public pony sale in the New Forest for three years is due to take place today (Thursday).

The event, run by the New Forest Livestock Society, is to be held at the purpose-built facility at Beaulieu Road.

As reported in the A&T the auctions, traditionally held four times a year, were put on hold in 2022 amid a continuing outbreak of strangles.

Strangles is one of the most common equine diseases, with around 600 outbreaks in the UK each year. It is rarely fatal but can affect horses of any age, sex or breed.

The commoning community had been looking forward to the auctions returning in person, having been held online amid Covid restrictions in 2020 and an arson attack at the site in 2021.

Fifty horses, ponies and donkeys are up for sale.

There are three more auctions schduled this year: in September, October and November.