01/01/2025
We may have been quiet lately but we have been far from idle. It's been a year of change, and in our case, positive change. In the USA, 4 gorgeous Newfoundland Pony foals were born in New England, thanks to our involvement establishing two breeding farms, and networking. This brings the total of ponies in the USA to nearly 60.
We have news to share but not yet. Also, our website is currently in process of switching to a different platform and being updated, revised. This takes time. But when we are ready announcements will be made there, here, and in our newsletter. So stay tuned.
FYI - The majority of the USA's Nfld Ponies are located in our state of NH where the climate suits the breed's needs quite well. In our experience, winter is when Nfld ponies are happiest. This 400 year old landrace breed was born of a rock in the middle of the ocean, where icebergs appear in the island's bays in July. The cold and snow and harsh terrain is their element. It is in their blood. It made them what they are. This happened hundreds of years before Newfoundland became a province of Canada in 1949. Canada had nothing to do with this breed before then.
That said, they are unique as compared to man-made modern breeds. Less is More with this breed. To be forced and handled like modern breeds causes them to shut down. We had more than a few come to us that way over the years. One was quite recently.
Amazingly, it remains an unchanged, unimproved landrace, created well before breed registries of any sort or standardization was started. A walking time capsule of lost genetics, it is not a standard breed at all and should not be treated as such. It carries the genetics of its ancestors before those ancestors genetics were changed/"improved" and are not the same anymore.
It is imperative that the traditional pony remain as is, with its diverse and healthy gene pool preserved. This means not breeding for certain fad preferences such as appearance, color, size, discipline, or the pursuit of big money ie breed to the market especially with a rare breed being so hard to obtain.
Or breeding to make their "conformation" conform to modern breeds. Perhaps you don't like their narrow chest? (We hear that a lot) Or you don't think they are well put together? Compared to what? Modern breeds with all their health and mind issues?
THEY AREN'T THAT. That's comparing apples to oranges. They just are not the same!
These ponies can and will do ANYTHING any other breed can do and in fact excel at it (unless you force them.). Their native land of Newfoundland made that narrow chest for survival reasons. If you don't like it, please find another breed. Just know that the first thing to go when we start mucking around with a breed, will be their incredible temperament, which is like no other equine we've ever known.
With our low numbers we do not cull for any reason unless its a life threatening anomaly we don't want to enter our gene pool. All ponies, ultimately need to pass on their genetic package, not just the ponies that are color changers, or are big, etc…
Landraces offer diversity. Standard breeds do not. Landraces are healthy. Almost all standard breeds have genetic problems from the watering down of their genetics.
Newfoundland Ponies have ZERO genetic problems.
For the overall health of the species it is imperative that this breed not be changed. It is imperative that all ponies pass on their genetic package.
Wishing a healthy and safe New Year to all, animals and people alike.
Pictured: Applewood Highland Heather enjoying the snow. Photo by renowned animal photographer Rich Damboise
