A highly contagious virus has killed at least 35 ponies in the New Forest, prompting an urgent warning to visitors.
The equine flu was first identified in ponies in the Woodgreen area, but ‘soon spread’ to other areas north of the A31, infecting ‘a large number of both ponies and donkeys’.
Cases have since been identified in ponies in the Ashurst, Brockenhurst and Burley.
The traditional autumn ‘drifts’, in which ponies are rounded up for health checks, were due to begin in August but early drifts have been cancelled.
Subsequent round-ups are under review, pending further updates about the virus.
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A statement from forest officials – known as verderers – said: ‘Some affected ponies may have a heavy nasal discharge and a dry cough.
‘Regrettably to date approximately 35 equines have died. The verderers are following veterinary advice, which is to leave the affected ponies where they are to avoid causing them unnecessary distress and potentially spreading the virus further.’
Although mostly airborne, the virus can be spread by contact with affected animals.
Advice given to horseriders and walkers is to give the ponies as wide a berth as is possible, and not allow ridden horses to drink from communal water troughs.
Equine flu, which can cause life-threatening secondary bacterial infections such as bronchitis, muscle soreness, and pneumonia, has not been seen in the wild pony population since the early 1990s, meaning none of the current stock have immunity.
The outbreak is believed to have been brought ‘inadvertently’ into the area by a privately owned animal.
The verderers statement continued: ‘We have taken the decision to postpone the start of the 2026 drifts. Drifts from September onwards will be subject to ongoing review, depending on the status of the infection.’
In response to the outbreak, the verderers have also asked the public not to place water buckets on the Forest as this could spread the virus.
Verderer Edward Heron said: ‘We would remind Forest residents and visitors that, even in prolonged dry periods, there is sufficient access to water on the open Forest for stock, either from natural sources or installed water troughs.’
As a result of the outbreak, stricter measures have been put in place by organisers of the New Forest Show which takes place in Brockenhurst next week.