New Forest foal season

Get away from it all…

It’s foal season here in the New Forest! Choose a calming break to refresh your mind, body and soul. Practise mindfulness and wander the timeless New Forest National park and absorb the wonders of the natural world at its finest and admire the gorgeous foals as they begin to appear.

The New Forest comes alive when the new foals start gambling together over the open plains during the spring. The Forestry Commission prepare themselves for phone calls from anxious visitors reporting foals lying still (generally they are asleep), or ponies looking uncomfortable (in labour), or foals too close to road (they like the grass on the verges).

Please remember that the foals are for looking at, not for touching. They are very much at home on the open forest, and they are accustomed to people, bikes and cars. But, the foals and their mothers live as wild animals, which makes it even more interesting to see how contented and healthy they are on the New Forest.

Foal spotting

There are 5000 mares on the 94,000 acre New Forest National Park. They are not all in foal, but there could be as many as 1000 foals born during May and June in the foal season in the New Forest.

Foal spotting is the favourite game of many guests. Cycling through the forest on the wide logging trails spotting foals is an annual treat. It is so easy to get out on the Forest from the Cottage Lodge. Ponies often bring their foals into the village to ‘show them off’. So you may well be able to see them from the hotel itself. Many times thoughtful mares have brought their offspring to graze and slumber just outside the property for our guests to admire and photograph.

The unique New Forest.

The New Forest foals arrive through May and early June. They are charming. Wobbly legged, shy and blinking in the sunshine. Super cute and adorable but please do keep your distance. Take your pictures of them, but don’t get too close or touch or feed them. These beautiful animals are to be protected. They are adapted to the forest and graze on the grasses, gorse and heather. Feeding them and trying to pet them can be fatal for them so please don’t do that! Wary mothers can be aggressive and bad habits formed so please don’t touch.

Escapism

After the difficult times we’ve all shared, why not escape now times are becoming more relaxed to the beautiful New Forest and see the foals arrive? Spend a couple of days of foal spotting whilst exploring 94,000 acres of open moorland and ancient forest. Stay in one of our uniquely foresty rooms. Enjoy a delicious locally sourced breakfast and perhaps book a fabulous dinner at White Tails for the perfect escape.

Book your New Forest getaway

If you would like to come and see the new foals, we would love you to use Cottage lodge Hotel as a base. You are sure to find the forest a true delight for the senses.

Why not stay with us in the heart of the New Forest village of Brockenhurst at the Cottage Lodge Hotel and walk or cycle out on the wide logging trails, perhaps pack a backpack with a picnic, for a day of foal spotting?

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