ONE in ten animals have been removed from the New Forest this year because they were too sickly.
A prolonged cold winter and late spring meant more than 400 animals, largely ponies, were sent back to their farms and holdings to regain their health with supplements before they were turned out to graze again.
The number of animals normally recovered by the Agisters - the paid workers who help manage the Forest livestock - is between 200 and 300. There are about 4,000 roaming the open forest.
The animals must be of a certain physical condition.
"Because we had a cold winter and dry spring the grass has been slow to come through. The ponies have not kept up condition as good as in previous years," head Agister Jonathan Gerrelli said.
"Every year ponies lose a bit of condition and, for whatever reason, they can lose more condition than is acceptable."
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