In a creative and heartfelt effort to combine charity work with equestrian advocacy, 18 passionate women took to the streets of London for an unforgettable cause. The group, calling themselves the New Forest Night Mares, completed a full 26.2-mile marathon walk while sporting eye-catching high-visibility pony ears and tails. Their mission? To shed light on the tragic and preventable deaths of horses, ponies, and other livestock on roads throughout the New Forest.
Combining Charity with Equestrian Advocacy
The women participated in the Moon Walk, a renowned nighttime marathon event organized by the charity Walk the Walk, which raises vital funds for breast cancer awareness and support. However, organizer Juliet Nicholas saw this as the perfect platform to address a pressing local issue: the alarming number of ponies and foals being struck and killed by vehicles in the New Forest.
“Shortly before we took part in the walk, there was another foal hit and killed—one that was just days old,” Juliet explained passionately. “We thought we could go out wearing high-vis gear and help draw attention to this preventable tragedy.”
A Lifelong Connection to the Forest and Horses
Juliet’s dedication to this cause runs deep. A former professional showjumper who once worked with renowned trainer Stephen Whitaker, she has called the New Forest home for more than half her life. Her connection to the equestrian community is strong—both she and her daughters are graduates of the New Forest Pony Club.
“I no longer ride competitively, but horses have been a significant part of my life,” Juliet shared. “Many of our walkers are deeply involved in the equestrian world, and we’re all united in our concern for the welfare of our beautiful forest ponies.”
The Real Dangers: Educating the Public
One particularly telling anecdote highlights the need for public education on this issue. “Just today, I had to stop my car after encountering someone stroking a foal right out of their vehicle window,” Juliet revealed. “I had to explain that this kind of interaction encourages foals to approach cars, putting them in serious danger of being hit.”
This scenario is unfortunately common. Many visitors to the New Forest don’t realize that their well-intentioned interactions with wild ponies and foals can have tragic consequences. When animals become accustomed to human contact and lose their natural wariness of vehicles, fatal accidents become far more likely.
A Call to Action for Road Safety
The New Forest Night Mares’ creative campaign is more than just a fun fundraising stunt—it’s a crucial reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect the animals sharing our spaces. By raising awareness through their eye-catching high-vis pony gear, these dedicated women hope to spark conversations about safe driving practices and respectful wildlife interaction.
“We need to raise awareness and make people understand the real dangers,” Juliet emphasized. “Every pony and foal lost to a road accident is preventable, and we’re committed to making a difference.”
If you visit the New Forest, remember: enjoy the beauty of these wild ponies from a safe distance, drive carefully through pony areas, and never feed or hand-interact with the animals. Your caution could save a life.