Rights of Common
Common rights are attached to properties in and around the New Forest rather than to any individual. Someone who makes use of the common rights attached to their property is known as a practising commoner.
Pasture
The right to graze livestock, including ponies, cattle and donkeys and also some sheep (under a separate common right).
Pannage or mast
The right to turn out pigs during the ‘pannage’ season in the autumn to feed. The pigs provide a useful service by eating acorns that are poisonous to ponies and cattle.
Estovers or fuelwood
The right to cut wood for fuel. To protect the Ancient and Ornamental woodland, commoners who exercise this right are now provided with firewood from timber plantations by Forestry England.
Two rights are no longer exercised:
Turbary
The right to cut turf for fuel.
Marl
The right to dig clay to spread on and improve fields.
