Officials in the New Forest have been forced to cancel August’s traditional roundups, known as drifts, because of an outbreak of equine flu (Picture: Cover Media)A highly contagious virus has killed at least 35 ponies in the New Forest, prompting an urgent warning to visitors. The traditional autumn ‘drifts’, in which ponies are rounded up for health checks, were due to begin in August but early drifts have been cancelled. A statement from forest officials – known as verderers – said: ‘Some affected ponies may have a heavy nasal discharge and a dry cough. In response to the outbreak, the verderers have also asked the public not to place water buckets on the Forest as this could spread the virus. As a result of the outbreak, stricter measures have been put in place by organisers of the New Forest Show which takes place in Brockenhurst next week.