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On another beautiful late summer sunny day we brunched at The Boat House Café in Lymington. I chose the Full English Breakfast with tea, while Jackie selected a baked potato generously filled with prawns, accompanied by a cappuccino. The food was good and the drinks enormous, but further visits would be happier when not on a scorching hot day in the height of the holiday season.
This was the view outside the eating house. Henrietta can be seen at her strawberry stall.
On the wall against which her sign is propped, can be seen a child’s shoe and a small punnet of the fruit. I asked this lovely lady what was the story behind this display. She explained that she was trying to draw attention to the lost item of footwear. She had originally placed a strawberry inside the shoe. Never one to pass up a photo opportunity, I asked her to do it again.
She obliged. I was not surprised that someone has loved her enough to adorn her wedding finger.
The quayside was very well populated; people were occupied
boating,
crabbing,
feeding the ducks,
or just sitting.
Jackie drove right past our house afterwards and headed off to the forest in search of ponies. As far as the eye could see the sun-blest, purple heather-carpeted moorland between Sway and Brockenhurst was devoid of ponies. We wondered why. It was then that my driver saw the road signs such as: 
Maybe we were going to be in luck after all. But which way? We did an about turn and turned left in the direction of Brockenhurst. In the distance a line of parked vehicles came into view. We headed for them. Eventually we came to a track under a railway bridge from which a rather frantic neighing emanated. Jackie parked on the gravelled path and I walked in the direction of the sounds. Having moved under the bridge I came upon the round-up, known as The Drift.
This was an area penned off with very stout poles. An increasingly active and vociferous mass of equine flesh and hides was contained within its confines. Spectators of all ages lined the structure, leaning or sitting on the struts.
Seeing the handlers in the pen surrounded by heavy, heaving, horseflesh, hooves thudding on the impacted soil, I wasn’t surprised to read signs saying that anyone attending The Drift did so at their own risk. When I was absorbed in taking the last photograph above, I almost backed into a pony that had been freed.
A tap on my shoulder alerted me to the fact that if I stepped backwards I would encounter a hot branding iron hanging from the tree behind me. I had noticed a fire, and walked close to the heat of it, but I had not examined it closely enough to notice that it was heating an array of such implements.
These creatures were being given an annual health check. They were rounded up; had their condition inspected; branded; and given a tail trim. Any that had problems were returned to their owners on whom it was incumbent to resolve any problems before releasing them back into the forest. Those to be branded with their owners’ initials were either new to the forest, or had been born since the last annual event. I have mentioned before that the animals’ tails are cut in a particular way specific to the area in which they roam. This is the reason for the trim.
The gentleman in this picture was one of those tasked with trimming and branding inside a smaller enclosure into which the ponies were led in manageable groups. Managing involved prodding with a stick, slapping on the rear, and only occasionally shouting. The horses made far more noise than their carers. Interestingly, those animals which had been in the forest for several years, and therefore knew the ropes, were far less alarmed than the younger ones.
They also knew that, branded, brushed, and treated to a new collar they would, like those in this shot, be set free to worry the traffic and set off under the railway bridge to Brockenhurst for a good feed.
Once a few had been cajoled into the the treatment pen, a little space opened up in the main enclosure,
until newcomers filled it.
Occasionally the seething masses would divide enough for
human handlers,
and equine captives to steal the show.
The gentleman in the purple T-shirt on the left of the first picture in this series was my informant today. Further information can be obtained from this excellent website: http://www.newforest-life.com/New-Forest-Drift.html
This evening we dined on pork spare ribs in barbecue sauce with Jackie’s savoury rice and green beans, followed by Bakewell plaits and custard. I finished the syrah.
Good Lord, that’s amazing! People and horses aplenty today Derrick! You set me thinking about the fact I live in a country of roughly the same size, with roughly 60 million less in population – horses as well as humans I suspect – and how, when I returned home after my UK sojourn, how empty the city seemed 🙂 The horse drift is fascinating!
Many thanks, Pauline. Swap you some people for some land 🙂
Glad you avoided being branded!
Me too, Leslie. Thanks. 🙂
What a beautiful day it seems. One can almost smell the sun on the flanks of the horses. Very beautiful photography and I especially like the horses as well as the scenes with the reflections on the water.
Very many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick
A great day. Splendid photography, Derrick. The strawberry inside the shoe- that looks so cute…I loved that… 🙂
Thanks very much, Maniparna
Fine shots of the ponies, and your writing was a great compliment to the photos.
Many thanks, Oglach. I thought the photos didn’t do it on their own.
Come on, now. You know what I meant. 🙂
Of course. Thanks again 🙂
It can’t be an easy task to round up each and every pony, I wonder how many escape!
Thanks, Jessica. One of those yesterday took an agister 4 1/2 hours to catch.
Interesting post Derrick. My daughter works with horses in a trail riding company and has a bit to do with this. Wonderful photos.
Thank you, Miriam
Beautiful photos of quayside and ponies. Thanks for sharing all the information about the ponies and the drift.
They do an annual roundup of ponies in Assateague/ Chincoteague. They give them shots, and there’s also an auction.
Thanks, Merril. I think we have auction sales as well, but they are different events.
Spectacular post, Derrick, with such a variety. I feel like I went on a real journey with your and your Jackie! The water and boats entrance me, just imagining being there is plenty. I was drawn to the one of the man with who appeared to be his son at waterside, fishing with a net. The shoe and strawberries, lovely shots. And The Drift was very interesting, its photos engaging. I think you do love and respect those ponies. (I also checked out that blog and learned a lot about new Forest.) Thanks!
Very many thanks, Cynthia G.
This is like the Chincoteague round-up, but the horses there are wild. What a beautiful day you had. And that picture of the white horse is really exceptional.
Thank you, Lisa. I did actually crop that one, after much debate
I was reminded of Chincoteague as well.
I’m surprised that in this day and age people are still savage enough to brand animals in such a barbaric manner. I hope they fall onto those branding irons and get a taste of it. 🙂 And I would like to give a free kick at their torturers to each animal that gets branded. 🙂
I wondered about the branding, too, Mary, but the horses didn’t flinch.
What a great day to be seeking out ponies, Jackie! 🙂 I am so glad she thought to do this. Derick, of course, you captured the noise, movement and visuals in your descriptive words and excellent photography.
Your tea and meal, her cappuccino and meal both sounded delicious. The sights around the cafe were lovely. The strawberry in white baby’s shoe was certainly a sweet shot!
Very many thanks, Robin. Jackie often points me in the right direction 🙂
Derrick. Sorry, as I pressed post comment your name “morphed.” Hope you have a fine Wednesday and rest of the week! 🙂
Thanks, Robin 🙂
I love The Drift. What a spectacular and important ritual of New Forest heritage! I remember seeing it as a child and it being the most memorable part of my school holiday that year. So rare to be able to capture photos of it – you’ve done really well. My other favourite culture of the New Forest is the Pannage – I just love all those pigs. That day out in Lymington is just idylic – strawberries, crabbing, sunshine, boats – you have really made the best of an English summer Derrick.
Very many thanks, Sol. I don’t know about Pannage?
You had taken photos of it without realising perhaps? Pannage is when all the pigs are let out from farms in Autumn to eat up acorns which are poisonous to ponies. Often it is when piglets are born. Any large pregnant sows are usually let out longer so that have their fill. Some areas around Fritham and Nomansland leave their semi-wild pigs out all year.
I have, of course. Thanks for the clarification 🙂
First, I loved seeing the family crabbing off the jetty – used to be one of our favourite pastimes on holiday! Second, your report of The Drift is so interesting. It’s great that these ancient methods are maintained. I remember watching a Countryfile programme on the Exmoor round up and thinking then that we are so lucky in this country to have all this open land where animals are free to roam.
Many thanks, Jenny. We are, indeed, once we get away from the cities
For some reason I have a mental image of Derrick sporting a new brand after walking backwards..I suppose I will grow up one day…
😉
Great photos.
Many thanks Quercus. Don’t 🙂
It looks like it was a fun time! I LOVE the very last picture in this post. Beautiful! 🙂
Thanks very much, Patsy
You’re welcome, Derrick! 🙂
Fascinating piece! I, too, love the very last picture. It seems to me it would be very striking if it were enlarged.
I might just do that, Laurie. Thanks very much
Given the res is good, I think a very large print would be striking.
I can do A3+
What a gorgeous day full of beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Lynn
most welcome! A lovely day
It looks like an enjoyable day, but I can well believe that it was ferociously hot.
Thanks, Bun. It was, for us 🙂
These are incredible photos, Derrick. I love the strawberries in the shoe…perfect!
Many thanks, Jill. It was a lovely moment
Really interesting photos, Derrick. So many beautiful horses, but my favourite photo is of the strawberries in the lost baby shoe. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia. It tells a lovely story.
What an amazing, action-packed day!
Thanks, Geoff. It was rather more than I bargained for 🙂
Did the strawberry in the shoe get served with foot cream?
🙂 Chuckle. Thanks, Geoff
What an incredible adventure to have ~ a bit of a fairy tale with breakfast (my favorite Full English as well) alongside such an idyllic scene, and then off to see the ponies 🙂 A scene I would feel very at home with, and your photography made me feel as if I was there.
Many thanks Dalo. I am pleased you liked it.
Hi Derrick, please note that this has nothing to do with your article. I’m actually hoping that you can help me with a problem. I know someone who’s getting married soon, and the couple likes to enjoy an occasional glass or two of wine. Since I know less than nothing about wine and you seem to also enjoy an occasional glass of wine, I was hoping that you could tell me the names of a few good varieties and/or years.
Thanks, Weekly. I don’t really know anything about what you can get in America. Zinfandel is your grape and should be OK – red or rose, but I wouldn’t know about years which depend very much on the weather. Maybe you have a reputable wine merchant who could advise? Sorry I can’t be of any more help.
That’s quite alright, Derrick. I thought the different countries might pose a problem. It will all work out. Thanks!
Thanks for referring me to this post Derrick. It’s a unique arrangement.
And thanks for reading and commenting, Frank
Wow, there are a lot of ponies to be found in that forest ! I’m happy they get a yearly check-up and their owners are responsible for their medical care. So, they are known as forest ponies and not really kept on a farm for riding? This is so interesting. Thanks for sharing the link Derrik, cheers xK
And that you for reading and commenting Kelly. A few people keep the ponies for riding. It takes a long time to have them broken in, or backed as it is called.
Looking back on this from a 2020 Covid perspective is quite bizarre. Be well, Derrick.
So it is, Donna. Thanks very much.
The scenes of seething horseflesh reminded me of Faulkner’s short story “Spotted Horses.”
I don’t know that one, but I am pleased to have stirred the memory. Thanks very much, Liz
Amazing insight on British lifestyle. What to do on a sunny day? (Only Continentals claim it rains all year long)
Had a quick look on the map. So you live in (Old) Hampshire? (Not New Hampshire!) Quite close to the Isle of Wight… Did you go there in the sixties?
Thank you Derrick. Enjoy your little corner of paradise.
Thank you so much, Brian. Only on a family holiday in 1968; thereafter once or twice, but never since we came to Hampshire.
So you didn’t go to the Festivals? Damn. I thought I could say “I know someone who went to Wight!” 😉
That’s why I thought I should make it clear 🙂