Height: The upper Height limit is 148 cms. There is no lower limit but New Forest ponies are seldom under 12 hands (120 cms). They are normally shown in 2 height sections 13.2. Hands and under and over 13.2 hands.

Colour: New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, or blue eyed cream. Palomino or very light; chestnut cream ponies with dark eyes are only acceptable as geldings and mares. Blue eyes are not permitted. White markings on the head and legs are permitted. White markings that occur behind the head and above a line parallel to the ground from the point of the hock in the hind leg and the top of the metacarpal bone or bend in the knee in the fore leg are not permitted.

Type: New Forest ponies should be of riding type with substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The larger ponies, while narrow enough for small children, are quite capable of carrying adults. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality.

Action: This should be free, active and straight but not exaggerated.

Temperament: The New Forest Pony has an ideal temperament and should be very easy to train.

Showing Rules: Ponies are shown uplaited, but may have lightly pulled manes and tails. The jawline and heels may be trimmed, Forest run classes excepted (see rule 4).

Clipping, except for the legs, is allowed for working ponies in their winter coats.
No make up is allowed or any other falsification of markings.
In classes for ponies off the Forest, they must be shown in a completely natural state i.e. with unpulled manes and tails and no trimming of heels or jawline.
Yearlings are not allowed to be shown in bits. Stud Stallions 2 years and over may be shown in bridles with bits. Chifney bits are not allowed in any circumstances.
At the Breed Show all in hand ponies must be shown in white halters, including stallions off the Forest. Stud Stallions excepted (see Rule 5).

Showing Rules: The Council of the above Society is very concerned at the loss of native pony type in the Breed, due to breeding away from the native habitat. Judges are, therefore, requested to give preference to ponies with depth and bone, even at the expense of quality. Action should be straight, with free movement, but not exaggerated pointed toes. Over refined heads and light bone are neither typical nor desirable.
When judging brood mares, the condition of the foal should be taken into account.