Tourists are risking being kicked or bitten to death by posing for selfies with New Forest ponies, experts have warned. Visitors at the natural beauty hotspot in Hampshire have posted scores of photos with the wild animals on Instagram, despite warnings not to approach or pet them - especially when they are accompanied by young children. The animals are owned by people known as Commoners - villagers who have the right to let their livestock graze freely in the common land of the forest. Tony Hockley, chairman of the Commoners' Defence Association, said he had spotted people taking selfies in the park and warned that a kick or bite from a pony can be fatal. Experts warn that people risk being kicked or bitten to death by posing with New Forest ponies Tony Hockley, chairman of the Commoners' Defence Association, said: 'They have powerful legs and jaws - they're really not to be trifled with' (pictured: A visitor with one of the ponies) He said: 'We have all sorts of problems with people walking their dogs through cattle, feeding and petting animals, and taking selfies. 'There are incidents regularly where people get too involved with the grazing animals. 'They really are putting themselves at risk by not keeping their distance. 'A pony weighs about 300 kilos so they're much heavier than a person. 'They have powerful legs and jaws - they're really not to be trifled with. 'But people do, they see them grazing and they think they're just cute little ponies.' 'They can react very suddenly if they feel threatened, so give them space,' said Nigel Matthews, Head of Recreation Management and Learning at the New Forest National Park Authority Free-roaming ponies, pigs, cows and donkeys have roamed the New Forest, Hants, for thousands of years He added: 'A situation changes in an instant. If a fly lands on the back end of a pony when someone is stood there, they will try and kick the fly off. 'You have to be extremely careful but people seem to be forgetting that. 'Ponies can kick horizontally and move very fast - it's important that people keep their distance. 'A kick or a bite from a pony can be fatal.' Free-roaming ponies, pigs, cows and donkeys have roamed the New Forest, Hampshire, for thousands of years. The famous creatures help maintain the stunning protected landscape and have right of way on New Forest roads. There are thought to be around 3,000 ponies in the area. The animals are owned by people known as Commoners - villagers who have the right to let their livestock graze freely away in the common land of the forest The famous creatures help maintain the stunning protected landscape and have right of way on New Forest roads Nigel Matthews, Head of Recreation Management and Learning at the New Forest National Park Authority, warned visitors to keep their distance. He said: 'Most New Forest ponies and donkeys are even-tempered animals and some will approach people, but they are not used to being handled and should be left alone. 'They can react very suddenly if they feel threatened, so give them space. 'The animals may look friendly but can bite or kick, especially when they have young children with them, so please keep your distance. 'Sadly some people - usually children - are hurt each year. 'Rangers help people to have a better understanding and awareness of how to behave around ponies to reduce the number of injuries. 'It's a serious issue and we are trying to spread the message that people must keep their distance from animals, both for their own safety and that of the animals.'All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility