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Horse owners protest at ‘devastating’ plans
FAR-REACHING plans for
the future of the New
Forest could have a devastating
knock-on effect on
the equestrian community,
horse owners have
claimed.
A blueprint for the next 20 years of
the National Park is going under the
public eye, outlining strategies on
key areas such as climate change,
transport and development.
One of the proposals aims to
regulate the keeping of horses and
ponies for recreational use.
It means some owners and riders
would have to go through a strict
planning process for the change of
use of land where their animals
graze.
A number of key indicators show
whether planning permission
would be needed, such as howmuch
land the horse uses, whether it is
"rugged" in the winter and whether
it is given supplementary food.
Some fear the rules, if adopted
next year, could put the squeeze on
the number of suitable private
fields and paddocks on National
Park land.
Others say businesses that rely on
the thriving New Forest equestrian
community will be put under
immense strain by the changes.
Sue Fairway, who keeps her horse
at rented land near Bartley, said the
proposals - drawn up by the New
Forest National Park Authority -
were unworkable.
She said: "The individual needs of
horses are not being considered. I
rent a field, but are they going to
grant me planning permission?
"Each application is going to be
costly and time-consuming.
"My horse needs restricted grazing
and a special diet to stop her
getting the very painful disease
laminitis, which could kill her.
"Under these proposed policies, I
would not be able to keep her in the
way she needs."
Concerns were heightened after
an anonymous campaigner distributed
flyers around the New Forest
urging owners to fight the plans.
It states: "Your horse's welfare is
at risk as you will be unable to rug
or feed them in winter.
"The businesses that you rely on
to provide your feed, your tack, your
shoeing will disappear over time.
"The prices for livery will
increase as demand grows and less
land is available for recreational'
horse-keeping."
A National Park Authority spokeswoman
said the draft National Park
Plan and Recreation Management
Strategy was up for public consultation
for the next ten weeks.
She said: "We want to remind
people that these policies are in
draft and that we are asking for
their comments on the policies
themselves, and not information
they have read or heard elsewhere.
"We understand that some people
are concerned about the draft
Recreational Horsekeeping policies.
"The plan explains why these
draft policies have been included to
help address the landscape and land
management issues that can arise
from recreational horsekeeping.
"It also contains background on
how to interpret them, based on
work by SEEDA's Equestrian
Champion on recreational horsekeeping
in protected landscapes.
"We will not begin to review the
policies until the consultation
process finishes at the end of
October, so people will have plenty
of time until then to respond."
● People can comment on the plans
via the National Park website.
7:16pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: j stallard, totton on 7:31pm Wed 20 Aug 08
does this mean that also owners of sheep and cows also have to get planning permission,I hope so as this so unfair to horse owners who struggle with rising costs of feed and hay ect to look after horses that otherwise may be neglected.How ridiculous this stragety is,also the ponies that roam the forest,are they endagering the landscape,what will they take away from us next?our heritage,our forest???
does this mean that also owners of sheep and cows also have to get planning permission,I hope so as this so unfair to horse owners who struggle with rising costs of feed and hay ect to look after horses that otherwise may be neglected.How ridiculous this stragety is,also the ponies that roam the forest,are they endagering the landscape,what will they take away from us next?our heritage,our forest???
Posted by: Bagman, Southampton on 7:42pm Wed 20 Aug 08
How come the New Forest ran itself for over five hundred years without some pompous Government Quango shoving it's oar in? The knowledge of these people is seemingly above that of the Forest Agesters who have been doing this job for a few centuries. We are getting overrun by the Quangos that are not elected and therefore should not have as much power as they seem to have. Most of these were formed by Prescott before his scandalous departure. This is not Labour but Conservatie by another flag.
How come the New Forest ran itself for over five hundred years without some pompous Government Quango shoving it's oar in? The knowledge of these people is seemingly above that of the Forest Agesters who have been doing this job for a few centuries. We are getting overrun by the Quangos that are not elected and therefore should not have as much power as they seem to have. Most of these were formed by Prescott before his scandalous departure. This is not Labour but Conservatie by another flag.
Posted by: j stallard, totton on 7:50pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[how absolutly ludicrous do change of use include the grazing of cattle and sheep on private land if not why not,why penalise horse owners,and why tell us what to feed and when to rug our equines,they have all different needs.horses are part of the new forest and have been for hundreds of years they are our heritage,will that be taken away from us as well,what is going on?what bright spark sitting behind a desk suddenly came up with such a stupid idea.
[how absolutly ludicrous do change of use include the grazing of cattle and sheep on private land if not why not,why penalise horse owners,and why tell us what to feed and when to rug our equines,they have all different needs.horses are part of the new forest and have been for hundreds of years they are our heritage,will that be taken away from us as well,what is going on?what bright spark sitting behind a desk suddenly came up with such a stupid idea.
Posted by: Ivan, New Milton on 7:52pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote][bold]j stallard[/bold] wrote:
does this mean that also owners of sheep and cows also have to get planning permission,I hope so as this so unfair to horse owners who struggle with rising costs of feed and hay ect to look after horses that otherwise may be neglected.How ridiculous this stragety is,also the ponies that roam the forest,are they endagering the landscape,what will they take away from us next?our heritage,our forest???[/quote] I hate to think what 'recreational use' you have for sheep or cows!
j stallard wrote:
does this mean that also owners of sheep and cows also have to get planning permission,I hope so as this so unfair to horse owners who struggle with rising costs of feed and hay ect to look after horses that otherwise may be neglected.How ridiculous this stragety is,also the ponies that roam the forest,are they endagering the landscape,what will they take away from us next?our heritage,our forest???
I hate to think what 'recreational use' you have for sheep or cows!
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 8:32pm Wed 20 Aug 08
I think I am sympathetic to all the above though I don't know what bagman's "consrvative under another flag" means since the very notion of a national park bureacracy, overladen Qangos and restriction on individual freedom is about as far from conservatism as it's possible to get! This ruling is the kind of petty interfering socialist central control that is slowly tying us all in knots. Endless public sector non-jobs are created to come up with these sorts of stupid rules so of course this is bound to happen. If we leave them in power much longer We'll have a horse congestion charge backed by GPRS and microchips in the horses backsides all monitored from a massive great office complex in the middle of the "national park"!! Not only must we get rid of this idiotic labour administration at the next elction but the tories mast then get rid of the hundreds of thousands of pointless jobs created by labour and paid for by our taxes with the sole effect of making us more miserable!
I think I am sympathetic to all the above though I don't know what bagman's "consrvative under another flag" means since the very notion of a national park bureacracy, overladen Qangos and restriction on individual freedom is about as far from conservatism as it's possible to get! This ruling is the kind of petty interfering socialist central control that is slowly tying us all in knots. Endless public sector non-jobs are created to come up with these sorts of stupid rules so of course this is bound to happen. If we leave them in power much longer We'll have a horse congestion charge backed by GPRS and microchips in the horses backsides all monitored from a massive great office complex in the middle of the "national park"!! Not only must we get rid of this idiotic labour administration at the next elction but the tories mast then get rid of the hundreds of thousands of pointless jobs created by labour and paid for by our taxes with the sole effect of making us more miserable!
Posted by: paul b on 9:24pm Wed 20 Aug 08
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW
Posted by: Country Bumpkin, Lymington on 11:02pm Wed 20 Aug 08
If this goes through the economy of the New Forest will be destroyed. Farmers, livery yards, feed merchants, tack shops, rug repair businesses, farriers, vets will all suffer to some extent, some so severely they may go under. Surely this is not what the National Park Authority intends to happen?
The market for the forest bred New Forest Ponies will also be very badly affected. The only ones I can see benefiting from this ill thought out and badly written proposal are the knackermen.
If this goes through the economy of the New Forest will be destroyed. Farmers, livery yards, feed merchants, tack shops, rug repair businesses, farriers, vets will all suffer to some extent, some so severely they may go under. Surely this is not what the National Park Authority intends to happen?
The market for the forest bred New Forest Ponies will also be very badly affected. The only ones I can see benefiting from this ill thought out and badly written proposal are the knackermen.
Posted by: Outdoor girl, Christchurch on 11:13pm Wed 20 Aug 08
The proposals are ridiculous. While feral youths, flytippers and thieves run around with no respect for the law, those who are trying to enjoy a healthy pastime shared with the magnificent equine are penalised. Have the RSPCA been included in decisions, from a horse welfare perspective?
The proposals are ridiculous. While feral youths, flytippers and thieves run around with no respect for the law, those who are trying to enjoy a healthy pastime shared with the magnificent equine are penalised. Have the RSPCA been included in decisions, from a horse welfare perspective?
Posted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 11:52pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote][bold]paul b[/bold] wrote:
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW[/quote] The Council house envy and poor education is almost palpable.
paul b wrote:
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW
The Council house envy and poor education is almost palpable.
Posted by: Mender, Southampton on 5:28am Thu 21 Aug 08
NuLab - If it ain't broke - break it !
NuLab - If it ain't broke - break it !
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 8:25am Thu 21 Aug 08
[quote][bold]paul b[/bold] wrote:
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW[/quote] You are inferring that nobody achieves success through merit, hard work at school, university and afterwards. You are implying that everyone who rides a horse is somehow privileged from birth, hence your sneering at ridiculous names. Where did you get them from - the Beano? You sneer that categorising someone by their names is acceptable? In what way is that? What a berk and what a stupid comment - an envious berk too, and one who actually swallows all that class war garbage too. Licensed to hate, eh? Funny that you never get angry about the footballers and celebrities who earn far more for doing far less. Maybe that's because it's legitimate in your world to prejudge people by their names or interests. Is it that anyone who lives out of town is a snob? You're a bigot as well as a berk Paul.
paul b wrote:
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU, WHAT WILL JAMIMA, FELICITY AND CUTHBERT DO NOW
You are inferring that nobody achieves success through merit, hard work at school, university and afterwards. You are implying that everyone who rides a horse is somehow privileged from birth, hence your sneering at ridiculous names. Where did you get them from - the Beano? You sneer that categorising someone by their names is acceptable? In what way is that? What a berk and what a stupid comment - an envious berk too, and one who actually swallows all that class war garbage too. Licensed to hate, eh? Funny that you never get angry about the footballers and celebrities who earn far more for doing far less. Maybe that's because it's legitimate in your world to prejudge people by their names or interests. Is it that anyone who lives out of town is a snob? You're a bigot as well as a berk Paul.
Posted by: Paul D, Southampton on 8:33am Thu 21 Aug 08
[quote]You're a bigot as well as a berk Paul[/quote] I'd just like to point out that not everyone called Paul is a bigot or a berk - so Andy's right, you can't class people by name. Some of us know how to spell "Jemima" as well.
You're a bigot as well as a berk Paul
I'd just like to point out that not everyone called Paul is a bigot or a berk - so Andy's right, you can't class people by name. Some of us know how to spell "Jemima" as well.
Posted by: CW, Southampton on 10:03am Thu 21 Aug 08
I have seen videos about what excess flouride can do to horses and it's not nice....bad bad idea!!
And by the way Paul B....not everyone who owns horses have pots of money...in fact it's normally the opposite. I work hard to keep my two and have to sacrifice many of the things that you might take for granted in order to keep them.
I have seen videos about what excess flouride can do to horses and it's not nice....bad bad idea!!
And by the way Paul B....not everyone who owns horses have pots of money...in fact it's normally the opposite. I work hard to keep my two and have to sacrifice many of the things that you might take for granted in order to keep them.
Posted by: TC, Hythe on 10:57am Thu 21 Aug 08
Horses have been an intrinsic part of the Forest from its very beginning - these proposals threaten the very fabric of the Forest. If you want to read more about the issues and campaign please go to http://www.nfed.co.u
k/index4forumequine.
htm where you can also find details of the petition and letters of objection.
Horses have been an intrinsic part of the Forest from its very beginning - these proposals threaten the very fabric of the Forest. If you want to read more about the issues and campaign please go to http://www.nfed.co.u
k/index4forumequine.
htm where you can also find details of the petition and letters of objection.
Posted by: DSW, Southampton on 1:29pm Thu 21 Aug 08
I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.
We should be more like the French, McDonalds should add horse to their menu.
Now if it was wild fowl, well then that would be a different matter.
I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.
We should be more like the French, McDonalds should add horse to their menu.
Now if it was wild fowl, well then that would be a different matter.
Posted by: sh, cadnam on 1:34pm Thu 21 Aug 08
I have two horses which I keep within the National park boundries, both being native ponies, which means both are very "good doers" also one of my ponies is a shetland and also suffers with chronic laminitis which if managed correctly ie with restricted grazing can lead a very happy life. BUT however under the guidelines set out in the documents I will not be able to restrict his grazing surely each and every individual need for for each and every animal should be the responsibility of the owner and not left to someone who obviously has not got a glue about the husbandry of keeping an equine with this condition. As most native ponies can be classed as "Good doers" I feel that if this is passed the forest will end up with alot of the native breeds having to be distroyed purely because some big wig decided that the forest has to be aesthetically pleasing! nothing to [bold]REALLY[/bold] do with the animals welfare..
I have two horses which I keep within the National park boundries, both being native ponies, which means both are very "good doers" also one of my ponies is a shetland and also suffers with chronic laminitis which if managed correctly ie with restricted grazing can lead a very happy life. BUT however under the guidelines set out in the documents I will not be able to restrict his grazing surely each and every individual need for for each and every animal should be the responsibility of the owner and not left to someone who obviously has not got a glue about the husbandry of keeping an equine with this condition. As most native ponies can be classed as "Good doers" I feel that if this is passed the forest will end up with alot of the native breeds having to be distroyed purely because some big wig decided that the forest has to be aesthetically pleasing! nothing to
REALLY do with the animals welfare..
Posted by: pd, new forest on 1:42pm Thu 21 Aug 08
[quote][bold]DSW[/bold] wrote:
I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.
We should be more like the French, McDonalds should add horse to their menu.
Now if it was wild fowl, well then that would be a different matter.[/quote] if the countryside was held up with traffic it would be more like a town! you should be coming to the countryside to enjoy the countryside pursuits which i would like to add horse riding is one of.... and i would also like to point out that i think you will find that the riding of horses has been a means of transport for alot longer than the car.....
DSW wrote:
I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.
We should be more like the French, McDonalds should add horse to their menu.
Now if it was wild fowl, well then that would be a different matter.
if the countryside was held up with traffic it would be more like a town! you should be coming to the countryside to enjoy the countryside pursuits which i would like to add horse riding is one of.... and i would also like to point out that i think you will find that the riding of horses has been a means of transport for alot longer than the car.....
Posted by: bobsey, Southampton on 1:59pm Thu 21 Aug 08
As soon as the new Forest became a National park, it's decline was on the cards. This is another case of socialist envy brought in by an oath who knows or cares nothing about the countryside and rural ways.
I expect the National Park Authority is made up with faceless bagmen and women who are labour sympathisers who will beleive anything as long as it has a socialist bent.Also, what has the SEEDA have to do with the Forest, these are another quango bunch, who want to fill the space between Fareham and Southampton with houses. In ten years time if these people have their way the forest will be covered with houses and empty offises.
As soon as the new Forest became a National park, it's decline was on the cards. This is another case of socialist envy brought in by an oath who knows or cares nothing about the countryside and rural ways.
I expect the National Park Authority is made up with faceless bagmen and women who are labour sympathisers who will beleive anything as long as it has a socialist bent.Also, what has the SEEDA have to do with the Forest, these are another quango bunch, who want to fill the space between Fareham and Southampton with houses. In ten years time if these people have their way the forest will be covered with houses and empty offises.
Posted by: Sarah, Surrey on 2:46pm Thu 21 Aug 08
I've just had a look at the New Forest National Park website and I can't see any mention of any of this, let alone opportunity to comment on it. Any "consultation" anyway is going to be totally cosmetic, they've decided what they're going to do whether you like it or not (probably the latter). If anyone's thinking of objecting to my commenting on this because I come from Surrey, I merely point out that the people who drew up this idiotic plan probably come from my part of the world - that is, if they ever venture beyond the M25 in the first place.
I've just had a look at the New Forest National Park website and I can't see any mention of any of this, let alone opportunity to comment on it. Any "consultation" anyway is going to be totally cosmetic, they've decided what they're going to do whether you like it or not (probably the latter). If anyone's thinking of objecting to my commenting on this because I come from Surrey, I merely point out that the people who drew up this idiotic plan probably come from my part of the world - that is, if they ever venture beyond the M25 in the first place.
Posted by: SJ, Hythe on 3:29pm Thu 21 Aug 08
[quote]I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.[/quote]
If the NPA get their way there'll be more people riding down country lanes as riding on the forest will become impossible. Had you thought about that???
[quote]I've just had a look at the New Forest National Park website and I can't see any mention of any of this, let alone opportunity to comment on it.[/quote]
It's there, just very deeply buried:
http://www.newforest
npa.gov.uk/nfnpa_261
_08_annex_1_-_nation
al_park_plan__draft_
.pdf
and
http://www.newforest
npa.gov.uk/nfnpa_262
_08_annex_1_-_draft_
rms.pdf
I have absolutely no sympathy for these horsey types. They stroll slowly around the country lanes holding up traffic whilst they gaily talk to one another side by side.
If the NPA get their way there'll be more people riding down country lanes as riding on the forest will become impossible. Had you thought about that???
I've just had a look at the New Forest National Park website and I can't see any mention of any of this, let alone opportunity to comment on it.
It's there, just very deeply buried:
http://www.newforest
npa.gov.uk/nfnpa_261
_08_annex_1_-_nation
al_park_plan__draft_
.pdf
and
http://www.newforest
npa.gov.uk/nfnpa_262
_08_annex_1_-_draft_
rms.pdf
Posted by: now in the north, bolton, from southampton on 4:29pm Thu 21 Aug 08
I saw a mention of fluoride earlier in the post regarding its damage to horses. Please please take the time to check it out thoroughly as the government is planning to introduce it to most of the country by, i think, 2011. Its lethal stuff and the government has even changed laws to remove risks of compesation claims for water companies should it go wrong...and it will at some point. Instead, they have agreed this responsibility will be passed onto the Dept of health meaning compensation will be paid for by the taxpayer. There is a whole section devoted to the fluoride debate here on the echo website and many people have posted detailed links and information for you all to read.
I saw a mention of fluoride earlier in the post regarding its damage to horses. Please please take the time to check it out thoroughly as the government is planning to introduce it to most of the country by, i think, 2011. Its lethal stuff and the government has even changed laws to remove risks of compesation claims for water companies should it go wrong...and it will at some point. Instead, they have agreed this responsibility will be passed onto the Dept of health meaning compensation will be paid for by the taxpayer. There is a whole section devoted to the fluoride debate here on the echo website and many people have posted detailed links and information for you all to read.
Posted by: CountryRider, Blackfield on 6:56pm Thu 21 Aug 08
From someone who has read the report and seen the local BBC news with Steve Avery from the NPA, I must conclude that the NPA is solely concerned with the aesthetics of the New Forest, and are not at all with how this will affect hundreds of people, Commoners included - let alone the welfare of the horses/ponies for which they proposals will for certain be detrimental. These bureaucrats have absolutely no idea of equine husbandry or life in the Forest, they must sit in their little offices all day just dreaming up plans like this to disrupt peoples lives. They - and everyone in agreement with them - should go live in a city rather than trying to change the way of life here.
From someone who has read the report and seen the local BBC news with Steve Avery from the NPA, I must conclude that the NPA is solely concerned with the aesthetics of the New Forest, and are not at all with how this will affect hundreds of people, Commoners included - let alone the welfare of the horses/ponies for which they proposals will for certain be detrimental. These bureaucrats have absolutely no idea of equine husbandry or life in the Forest, they must sit in their little offices all day just dreaming up plans like this to disrupt peoples lives. They - and everyone in agreement with them - should go live in a city rather than trying to change the way of life here.
Posted by: mad horseperson, New Forest on 9:19pm Thu 21 Aug 08
Well done the Echo for bringing this stupid unworkable draft plan to the attention of its readers
Well done the Echo for bringing this stupid unworkable draft plan to the attention of its readers
Posted by: Stuart Jebbitt, Eastleigh on 11:02am Fri 22 Aug 08
Another pretend 'consultation' is the one on fluoride - HORSES will be at great risk of FLUORIDE POISONING....
see.........
http://www.slweb.org
/ftrcpersonalstories
_cathy.html
This starts in Soton and the East of the New forest in Jan 09!
(other areas to follow) you need to kick up a fuss NOW
Another pretend 'consultation' is the one on fluoride - HORSES will be at great risk of FLUORIDE POISONING....
see.........
http://www.slweb.org
/ftrcpersonalstories
_cathy.html
This starts in Soton and the East of the New forest in Jan 09!
(other areas to follow) you need to kick up a fuss NOW
Posted by: gordon willoughby, new forest on 9:47am Wed 27 Aug 08
Politics aside, we must all beware of the insidious dogma that we merely moan about but to which we take no action.
Whether it be daft regulations about keeping horses or whatever, before we know it we will have sleepwalked into a Big Brother state (the real sort; not the shagging on TV variety!)
Once the NPA have dealt with horses, it'll television ariels, the colour of your front door, not being able to drive up to your house, a special income tax for those 'privileged' to live near the forest and so on...
BEWARE - it mean's YOU!
Politics aside, we must all beware of the insidious dogma that we merely moan about but to which we take no action.
Whether it be daft regulations about keeping horses or whatever, before we know it we will have sleepwalked into a Big Brother state (the real sort; not the shagging on TV variety!)
Once the NPA have dealt with horses, it'll television ariels, the colour of your front door, not being able to drive up to your house, a special income tax for those 'privileged' to live near the forest and so on...
BEWARE - it mean's YOU!
Posted by: underwhelmed, new forest on 9:59am Wed 27 Aug 08
In these days of credit crunch and cut backs it is refreshing to see that at least one government organ has enough money to waste on changing a status quo that has lasted for hundreds of years.
Ironically, for once we are in a position of being able to protest that NOTHING be done and NOTHING be spent rather than a cutback be stopped. Bitter irony indeed!
In these days of credit crunch and cut backs it is refreshing to see that at least one government organ has enough money to waste on changing a status quo that has lasted for hundreds of years.
Ironically, for once we are in a position of being able to protest that NOTHING be done and NOTHING be spent rather than a cutback be stopped. Bitter irony indeed!
Posted by: RA Patrick, New Forest on 1:41pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Although the 'Recreation Management Strategy' (a commissioned report accompanying the Plan) has the stated "Objective HR1: Continue to provide the existing high quality experience for
horse riders", the Plan has decided upon a more discriminatory approach to 'recreational' horse owners giving no consideration to the requirements of keeping a horse at work. Their argument seems to revolve around their assertion that Maneges, jumps, electric fences in fields are an eyesore and detract from the beauty of the Forest. They take no account of the culture and enrichment riding and carriage driving brings to all users of the Forest nor even that fencing off dropped acorns in fields is essential for the welfare of horses.
Although the 'Recreation Management Strategy' (a commissioned report accompanying the Plan) has the stated "Objective HR1: Continue to provide the existing high quality experience for
horse riders", the Plan has decided upon a more discriminatory approach to 'recreational' horse owners giving no consideration to the requirements of keeping a horse at work. Their argument seems to revolve around their assertion that Maneges, jumps, electric fences in fields are an eyesore and detract from the beauty of the Forest. They take no account of the culture and enrichment riding and carriage driving brings to all users of the Forest nor even that fencing off dropped acorns in fields is essential for the welfare of horses.
Posted by: anon, New Forest on 11:26am Thu 28 Aug 08
Rarely have I read such a lot of uninformed comment. It is quite obvious that the vast majority of contributors have not actually read the consultation document, let alone worked out that it is a consultation document. Do they also know that NFDC had a not dissimilar policy. Yes riding is important to the Forest, and no one is trying to stop it. However the enormous increase in Horse/Pony riding over the last few years has caused problems that must be recognised. As a policy it is flawed, but it is only a consultation document. Please, please recognise this fact and that there is a problem in certain areas and respond to the consultation in a reasoned & helpful way.
Rarely have I read such a lot of uninformed comment. It is quite obvious that the vast majority of contributors have not actually read the consultation document, let alone worked out that it is a consultation document. Do they also know that NFDC had a not dissimilar policy. Yes riding is important to the Forest, and no one is trying to stop it. However the enormous increase in Horse/Pony riding over the last few years has caused problems that must be recognised. As a policy it is flawed, but it is only a consultation document. Please, please recognise this fact and that there is a problem in certain areas and respond to the consultation in a reasoned & helpful way.
Posted by: 91177.info, New Forest on 7:15pm Sun 31 Aug 08
[bold]This is just another step by the unelected few to have controll over the many and make money in the process of enforcing the new rules and new laws. They are trying to kill the New Forest traditional way of life and don't want horses or commoners on the land. They DO want tourists though and of course your planning application fee. They only think about money.
They are part of the NWO and are corrupt and evil. Please see the zeitgeist movie chapter 2 and 3 on google
Ignore the new plans and contact the RSPCA if you go to court. LOL Imagine going to court because you rugged your horse because you didn't want it to die. As I said these people are evil and evil to me means anything anti-life.
They haven't a clue about the New Forest or animal husbandry. These people are fools and only see the forest through a car windscreen. They are also hypocrites and accept bribes and I have proof but thats another story.
So as you were folks and be happy.[/bold]
This is just another step by the unelected few to have controll over the many and make money in the process of enforcing the new rules and new laws. They are trying to kill the New Forest traditional way of life and don't want horses or commoners on the land. They DO want tourists though and of course your planning application fee. They only think about money.
They are part of the NWO and are corrupt and evil. Please see the zeitgeist movie chapter 2 and 3 on google
Ignore the new plans and contact the RSPCA if you go to court. LOL Imagine going to court because you rugged your horse because you didn't want it to die. As I said these people are evil and evil to me means anything anti-life.
They haven't a clue about the New Forest or animal husbandry. These people are fools and only see the forest through a car windscreen. They are also hypocrites and accept bribes and I have proof but thats another story.
So as you were folks and be happy.
Posted by: Sarah Weston, Woodgreen on 7:29am Mon 1 Sep 08
It's a myth to say that there has been an enormous increase in horse-riding - there hasn't. Recreational horse keepers also provide a market for the Forest bred New Forest ponies and all the hore related businesses on the Forest.
It's a myth to say that there has been an enormous increase in horse-riding - there hasn't. Recreational horse keepers also provide a market for the Forest bred New Forest ponies and all the hore related businesses on the Forest.
Posted by: Chris H, Soton on 5:58pm Wed 3 Sep 08
I am afraid we have an authoritarian government that likes to reward it's accolites with nice cosy jobs on QUANGOS. Indeed only the perniciously stupid or those who relish inflicting pain on animals and other humans could have come up with such proposals. Horses have a right to be on the Forest, cars and drivers do not, they are merely licensed.
As quite a few have written here, horse owners are often quite strapped for cash. We do it because we love these affable animals, so much nicer than many, many, humans.
I was quite a militant trade unionist in my time so you would think I had some sympathy with the current government but I am forced to the conclusion that we have a proto-Stalinist regime in power. Control is everything to these people and if you do not fit, then you are an enemy of the state.
Horse owners clearly do not fit with the mindset of the NFNPA, therefore we must be driven out. I suggest that those that wish to see the forest remain as it is petition your MP, Emma Nicholson MEP and Hilary Benn the minister resonsible.
I will not change my Equine way of life at the behest of someone/some authority I have not elected. I am prepared to engage in civil disobedience and if necessary go to prison to ptotect my animals. The alternative is for them to suffer and me go to prison for animal cruelty anyway! I will not stand by and see horses de-homed and put down for lack of grazing.
Pictures of planning officers trying to evict horses will be highly emotive with an animal loving public. It will severely damage their personal reputations, and the NFNPA's, as well as cause the current government irrepairable damage at the polls. You simply cannot believe the political niavity of the NFNPA if they did not think this would cause an uproar.
What is disgraceful is that they have caused a great many people a lot of unecessary stress and anxiety at a time when things are not easy for many of us. What unfeeling amoral people they must be at the NFNPA.
I am afraid we have an authoritarian government that likes to reward it's accolites with nice cosy jobs on QUANGOS. Indeed only the perniciously stupid or those who relish inflicting pain on animals and other humans could have come up with such proposals. Horses have a right to be on the Forest, cars and drivers do not, they are merely licensed.
As quite a few have written here, horse owners are often quite strapped for cash. We do it because we love these affable animals, so much nicer than many, many, humans.
I was quite a militant trade unionist in my time so you would think I had some sympathy with the current government but I am forced to the conclusion that we have a proto-Stalinist regime in power. Control is everything to these people and if you do not fit, then you are an enemy of the state.
Horse owners clearly do not fit with the mindset of the NFNPA, therefore we must be driven out. I suggest that those that wish to see the forest remain as it is petition your MP, Emma Nicholson MEP and Hilary Benn the minister resonsible.
I will not change my Equine way of life at the behest of someone/some authority I have not elected. I am prepared to engage in civil disobedience and if necessary go to prison to ptotect my animals. The alternative is for them to suffer and me go to prison for animal cruelty anyway! I will not stand by and see horses de-homed and put down for lack of grazing.
Pictures of planning officers trying to evict horses will be highly emotive with an animal loving public. It will severely damage their personal reputations, and the NFNPA's, as well as cause the current government irrepairable damage at the polls. You simply cannot believe the political niavity of the NFNPA if they did not think this would cause an uproar.
What is disgraceful is that they have caused a great many people a lot of unecessary stress and anxiety at a time when things are not easy for many of us. What unfeeling amoral people they must be at the NFNPA.
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