New Forest pony deaths

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Daffodil

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Re the item about three horses being killed in the New Forest over the last few days, why the hell can't people SLOW DOWN.
The Forest is criss-crossed with long straight busy roads and I am appalled at the speed of some drivers. A lot of the Forest is fenced in but a lot is not and I'm always terrified when driving through, particularly after dark, and crawl along at 30, much to the irritation of drivers behind who speed up and overtake when they can't see any more than I can. Even my OH who was born and brought up in the Forest and ought to know better scares the daylights out of me when he's driving. All I get when I tell him to slow down is "I know these roads like the back of my hand so don't tell me to slow down". I hope these drivers were so sickened and shocked at what they'd done they'll never drive at speed through the Forest again. Poor ponies.
 
there is another thread about this and I cant see why they could attach some sort of reflective to the ponies manes and tails so they can be seen in the dark by car lights. Sounds an inexpensive way of saving lives
 
Thing is though everyone knows the new forest has wild ponies roaming especially as you have to go over those kind of grills in the road to enter where the ponies are roaming (where you use a gate to walk round the side of the grill) cant remember what there called, that stop the ponies from straying onto busier roads. People who hit the poor ponies are just idiot drivers who shouldnt even have licenses! as many times when ive been in the new forest the ponies are stood in the middle of the road and dont necessarily move you end up having to go round them. Average Cameras would be a good move possibly but it still wont stop people speeding unless they install speed cameras. Its such a shame as innocent lives are being lost due to piggish individuals who fully know the risks of speeding in the new forest but choose to do it anyway!
 
Living on the Forest, I have seen far too many near misses, or the results of a fatal crash.

All too often it is the locals speeding to work, who think its ok because they "know" the roads, but THEY DONT KNOW WHATS ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadly, these people who have a total disregard for the law, the safety of the animals etc would not be deterred by speed limits, cameras or anything else!
 
Taken from the nfed website...

Week commencing Monday 1st December 2008

Supplied by the Clerk of the Verderers

1st Dec ~ Charolais cow uninjured ~ B3054 Norleywood crossroads ~ R Maton
1st Dec ~ Chestnut mare killed ~ C10 Picket Post ~ P Rix
1st Dec ~ Pony – nothing found injured ~ Matley Ridge B3056 ~ M Lovell
2nd Dec ~ Chestnut mare destroyed and brown filly injured ~ Palace Lane, Beaulieu ~ R Maton
2nd Dec ~ Brown pony – nothing found injured ~ South Weirs, Brockenhurst ~ J R Gerrelli
3rd Dec ~ Brown pony – nothing found injured ~ B3054 Beaulieu Heath ~ R Maton
4th Dec ~ Black pony – nothing found injured ~ B3054 Hatchet Moor ~ R Maton
5th Dec ~ Bay pony – uninjured HIT & RUN ~ B3056 Boltons Bench ~ J R Gerrelli
5th Dec ~ Roan filly killed ~ B3054 Hilltop ~ M Lovell
5th Dec ~ Pony – nothing found injured ~ B3054 Bull Hill ~ J R Gerrelli
7th Dec ~ Brown mare killed ~ Burley Road, Burbush ~ P Rix


carnage....
 
I can't believe there are 3 stories on H&H today about horses being killed on the roads!

I think it's ridiculous that drivers in the New Forest (and I have to say I haven't been there since I was a kid so don't really know what the set up is) that speed limits aren't reduced or traffic calming methods are put in place - ie speed bumps etc. I obviously do not know how much of the road the ponies can freely roam on so maybe there is too much to implement this.

However, what they don't seem to comment on is the fact that yes it is horrific that these horses have been killed BUT what about the humans. A half tonne of horse landing on your car can do some serious damage/injury if not kill the car driver and /or passengers. This is what should be emphasised maybe. I just don't think driving fast in an area like this is worth the risk is it for the sake of a few minutes a driver may save by driving quicker.
 
There was something on Countryfile the other day about the council putting reflective bands around the ponies necks and they were saying that there are loads that killed every year in the New Forest as well as pigs that get run over that roam in there too. Trouble is if the ponies have their bum to the traffice you wouldn't see the band around their neck, but everyone should slow down in that area as a matter of principal. The driver must have been going some speed to decapitate a pony.
 
the week the pony was decapitated..

Week commencing Monday 24th November 2008

Supplied by the Clerk of the Verderers

24th Nov ~ Brown pony – nothing found ~ Burley Road, S Weirs ~ R Maton
24th Nov ~ Grey filly destroyed ~ Howen Bottom B3078 ~ A Napthine
24th Nov ~ Chestnut mare injured (wearing a collar) ~ C10 Longslade View ~ J R Gerrelli
25th Nov ~ Brown filly destroyed ~ Stoney Cross South – Andrews Mare area ~ A Napthine
26th Nov ~ Bay/roan 2 y.o. filly killed. ~ She was completely decapitated. ~ C10 Vereley Hill ~ P Rix
27th Nov ~ Pony – nothing found ~ Deadmans Hill B3078 ~ A Napthine

Please note that the pony killed on 26th November had its head completely severed. The head itself has not yet been found! Whatever speed was he going?? Pretty horrifying I think you will agree!
 
its so sad that drivers have no respect for the wild ponies and other animals that may be on the road, shame they cant shut the road to give the animals more security, could they not fence along the roads instead as i think its impossible to stop all the idiot drivers.my oh always drives when we go to the quantocks as the ponies are usually out in the road and dont worry bout the traffic.
 
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SpEed bumps? Or is it too large an area??

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Simply close the roads - accept for access.....

Oh and maximum penalty for anyone found speeding and the same for hitting an animal.
 
The main roads (A35 and A31) are fenced but the others are not. Some of them are also very narrow and winding. The speed limit throughout the Forest is 40mph with 30mph through the villages but some people drive at ridiculous speeds. Some ponies and donkeys do have reflective collars but they are of limited help as they get dirty which obviously reduces their reflectiveness. The only solution is for people to drive sensibly but we all know that doesn't happen. the annual animal death toll is awful. I would suggest speed humps too but the number required over a large area is sadly impractical. Unfortunately, not enough people are horse-wise either, if a mare is on one side of the road and her foal on the other, then anyone horsey would be aware that it is highly likely that the foal will dash across the road at some point to rejoin its mother but if you're not horsey . . . . .
 
Would reflective leg bands not help? Velcro, but secure stuff, 4 of them so a good change at least 1-2 will stay on, yes they will get muddy but also washed by rain/puddles....

For once I am completely for the use of average speed cameras in this instance. The revenue they would make from them would pay for them pretty quickly.
 
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Would reflective leg bands not help? Velcro, but secure stuff, 4 of them so a good change at least 1-2 will stay on, yes they will get muddy but also washed by rain/puddles....

For once I am completely for the use of average speed cameras in this instance. The revenue they would make from them would pay for them pretty quickly.

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you need to appreciate that these ponies are semi-feral...they certainly wouldnt tolerate the extra handling or the leg wraps themselves..
besides the dangers of getting the wraps caught in something!!!

a few commoners have experienced problems with choking ponies who have been fitted with reflective collars....
 
JM, I thought they might be a bit less feral so point taken about handling, but I was thinking of something breakable/quick release (e.g velcro) that would minimise risk of injury.

Christ, how do ponies choke, fitted too tightly, or caught on things?
 
The collars are elsticated Naturally..

BUT...if caught, as we all know, ponies dont always pul straght back/away from what they are hitched on..these things sometimes get twisted...then...

sad but true......
 
bl**dy hell!
frown.gif
 
What the hell is wrong with these people and their irresponsible driving!!! I truely hope something is done asap, how many more pony deaths does it take! I have a new forest pony and I love the forest too, it makes me sick to the stomach.
 
I live in the NF and as much as I am cautious driving late at night (and any other time for that), I have still had a few near misses (actually with deer too) that have been unavoidable.

the speed limit is typically 40 mph and IMO if it was any lower then people would abuse it more.

Having said that, the picket post tragedy is way too close for me for my liking, I dread to think if I had been on Zeb and seen that happen
 
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