The New ‘Forest’: A Pony’s Perspective

The New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England, is home to many species, including New Forest Ponies. However, the park is slowly losing its biodiversity as the New Forest eco-system is very delicately balanced so small changes have long lasting effects which are almost impossible to undo. This contribution will argue that the processes of tourism and commodification are generating new risks. Deploying an exploration of Beck’s (1992) theory on ‘risk society’, and the uncertainty that the world now brings, this reflection will determine if and how these risks are causing the decline of the New Forest and the consequential effects on the ponies that live there.