New Forest Ponies were causing chaos in the village (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine / Avalon)

A herd of naughty ponies have been causing misery for drivers after stopping in the middle of busy roads.

The group of shaggy looking horses were seen as they hoofed around and stunned delivery drivers as they walked through the middle of a village in the New Forest.

The ponies have been in the New Forest since the Ice Age and are a visitor favourite for those who come to see the beautiful area.

Stunning photos show a group of the wild ponies strolling along busy roads, hoof to tyre with drivers.

But some road-users were left frustrated after the animals caused delays to their journeys, especially if they ended up stuck behind them.

Tourists will also be even less likely to hand out food to the ponies – even if they are blocking their path – as they could be fined up to £1,000 for doing so.

The ponies were seen stopping delivery drivers in the village (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine / Avalon)

Drivers were left frustrated after the ponies started trotting through the village (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine / Avalon)

The ponies caused chaos on the roads (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine / Avalon)

Drivers were furious after the ponies took over the roads (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine / Avalon)

New proposals have been put forward so that anyone caught feeding the animals will be given a hefty fine.

More than 3,000 of the New Forest Ponies roam freely around the heathland and the woods near the beauty spot.

There have been ponies in the New Forest since the end of the Ice Age and some of the earliest records include bones of a pony at Rockbourne Roman Villa.

The Ponies are very much part of the Forest, and why it looks the way it does.

The New Forest and he ponies are very much interdependent on each other.  The animals keep plants in order and their lips have become thicker to allow them to eat holly.

Their contribution to the ecosystem means that other species such as the Dartford Warbler and Southern Damselfly can thrive.

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Whilst it may seem that the ponies are wild, they are in-fact owned by a Commoner, local people who have the ability by law to graze them and do so as a vocation.

Owners look after their ponies, along with Agisters who oversee the New Forest livestock.

As the Ponies, along with all other wildlife and stock are allowed to roam freely in New Forest, the speed limit is 40 mph,

Animals also have the right of way on all roads in the New Forest.

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More than 3,000 of the New Forest Ponies roam freely around the heathland.