Facts About Horses 

You can find facts about horses pretty much anywhere you look, but did you know thatNewfoundland Ponies were traditionally referred to as horses?  Since our passion is Newfoundland Ponies and since little information is readily available about this very    rare, critically endangered breed, we'd like to share some fascinating facts about them.

• Newfoundland ponies are a mix of Mountain and Moorland breeds brought to Newfoundland from the old countries over 400 years.  
• Their build and temperament are well-suited to surviving and thriving there, despite the long winters, strong winds, and bitter cold climate. 
• They roamed freely in the warmer months, forming a local communal herd that behaved in a natural wild manner. Fences were erected to keep them out, not in. 
• The pony has keen survival skills which translate to being smart, adaptable, hardy, easy to keep, and very caring about people.  They generally think before they react, assessing the situation first. Their trusting nature aids in their bonding quickly with people.  All in all, these skills make them a joy to work with. 
• They also have physical survival traits.  For instance they have hooded eyes to help keep the snow and rain out.  Their tails are low set to aid in snow sliding off.  Their ears are short, furry and thick, which prevents frostbite and helps keeps bugs out.  Their chests are narrow which helps with maintaining body temperature.  Their legs are close set which makes them quite nimble and sure footed on the rugged terrain they thrived on.

• This pony breed has not had outside blood purposely added to "improve" it, as has happened to their ancestral breeds.  It is a walking genetic time capsule, remaining as nature created it,  and is the last native pony breed that can claim that.  
• Some Newfoundland ponies change colors with each season, quite dramatically.  These Radical changers, as they are called, are solid color in the winter, roan in the spring, solid in the summer, roan in the fall, and back to solid for the winter. When they go through their drastic color change, it is not unusual for an acquaintance to think you got a new pony.  

• Treating them with kindness goes a long way with a Newfoundland Pony, vs forced control. They are smart and trusting, mutual respect is easily achieved. 
• They are best kept outdoors, with a shelter to get out of the weather as they choose.  Their thick furry coats are incredibly insulating. Most don't care for or need blanketing.    
• Care must be taken to feed them as their bodies were created to be fed, able to thrive on sparse forage. Rich hay, and grains are very bad for them.    
• In general, with Newfoundland Ponies, less is more. 

Despite being so special, due to mass slaughter,there are only 250 breeding Newfoundland Ponies left in the world.       We wish that sad fact was not true.  

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