Our Newfoundland Ponies
Less than 400 Newfoundland Ponies exist worldwide today. Fewer than 40 reside in the United States. We provide sanctuary to over half of those, some of who are in foster or adoptive conservation homes. At no fault of our own, less than half of our ponies are able to reproduce. Every pony who is not bred causes a loss of a genetic package important to survival of the breed.
Even so, you can help a Newfoundland Pony too! How? Be a Sponsor
Each pony costs roughly $2000 a year to keep (which includes farrier, hay, grain, vet, and items such as grooming supplies, halters, leads, blankets, bedding, buckets, etc). Our farm runs entirely off of donations from caring people like you. Sponsoring a pony is incredibly helpful and gives us one less pony to worry about each month.
We offer 2 types of sponsorship:
We offer 2 types of sponsorship:
The Barn Buddy - Pay as you go, Barn Buddies pick a pony to visit, hang out with, walk, groom, love on for 90 minutes on 1 Saturday a month for a $50 donation each visit. (There is no riding involved.) You may choose a different pony each visit if you'd like. Email us at newfoundlandponyinfo@gmail.com to arrange your Barn Buddy visits.
The Virtual Pony Patron - Pick a pony and donate $100 a month. Receive a photo of your pony, and a monthly video of your pony being a pony, more than likely hamming it up for the camera. Sponsor one of our 2 currently pregnant ponies and watch them change as their due date approaches. Once the foal is born, we will continue to send you videos of Mom and Baby. How cool is that? Sponsor Storm or her foal Sam; watch them interact and see Sam grow. Email us to arrange your sponsorship. newfoundlandponyinfo@gmail.com
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Meet Our Ponies Available for Sponsoring:
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Ammy's Honour NPS #643 Born 2006 Named after his breeder's great uncle, who died in the coal mines of Newfoundland, buckskin Ammy stands 12.2hh. He is the poster pony for the Center and our ambassador. In the winter of 2010, Ammy suffered a severe leg fracture after being kicked by a much larger horse. A sweet, gentle stallion, he came to us shortly after his devestating injury. Our thoughts were that we would have to have him humanely euthanized. Our vet, however, upon giving him a once over, informed us that the break was healed. He suffered no pain from it. We gave this beautiful boy a chance, and he was determined to live. Just look at him now. Even though the fracture left him disfigured and with a permanently disabled and fairly useless right rear leg, he has learned how to get around almost as well as any other pony. He is a joy to watch as he playfully trots, and canters in his unique 3-legged way, obviously pain free. Ammy epitomizes all the wonderful traits of the Newfoundland Pony and has stolen our hearts. Much like the rest of the breed, he is an inspiration, a survivor against all odds. He adapted and evolved in his own lifetime, to make the best of his situation. Ammy has fathered only 1 foal before he was injured, a colt who is in Ontario. As he is unable to breed naturally due to his broken back leg, we've tried AI more than a few times. AI is only 50% successful, expensive and we've not had any success. Ammy's Family Tree |
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*Cabot's Stormin' Sam
Born 7/22/2019 Sam was born here at the Center, the first colt for his sire and his dam. His birth announcement made it on the front page of the Ledger Transcript, Union Leader, Concord Monitor and the Keene Sentinel. And he made a prominent appearance in the Boston Globe! He also appeared on WMUR TV, and Channel 5 News Boston. WBZ TV is using his images for their platform. In less than 1 week, we had over 100 visitors to the farm to see this adorable boy. Sam was named after his mother's favorite person, volunteer Samantha. We are glad he is finally here of course but also because it was hard to keep his name a secret (for a year) in order to surprise Samantha. Samantha was on vacation when he was born but her Mom drove her all the way back to meet him just hours after he was born. Storm was happy to see Samantha and immediately let her touch her foal. Sweet little Sam is friendly, curious, and fearless. Osceola's Lucky Ace NPS# 781. Born 2016 Ace was born in May of 2016. He is from an almost lost family line. Being so rare he is a lovely match for many Newfoundland mares, including mares at the center and others in this country. Typical of the breed he was born a laid back youngster and remains so. Friendly and well mannered, he has been taken under Ammy's tutelage on how a fine young stallion should behave. Newfoundland stallions are not what most people think of when they imagine stallions (aggressive, must be kept alone, etc). Most of them are as docile as geldings are, and get along with other stallions. Ace bred mares this year whose foals will be born in 2020. Ace's Family Tree |
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Applewood Highland Heather
NPS Reg #553 Born 2001 Beautiful Heather stands 13.2hh. Heather had 6 foals, 4 of which are registered purebreds. Her daughters, Mandy and Winsome, remain with her here on the farm. Heather is one of the ponies used in our Equine Assisted Learning Program (EAL). She drives, sleighs and is a wonderful ambassador of her breed. Heather is a favorite of the Long Term Care facilities we visit. With her good looks, it's not hard to see how she wound up on our home page banner. Heather's Family Tree |
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Brynshire's Mandolyn
NPS Reg #657 Born 2006 At 13.2hh, Mandy is quite the athlete and jumping is her forte. She is brave yet sweet and prefers to avoid conflict in the herd. A bit more drafty than her mom, Mandy is strong, steady and quick footed. She has a wonderful work ethic and is always game for anything such as competing on a high school equestrian team. Despite Mandy having very little show experience, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons piled up all the way to the states. She is also our go to pony for exhibiting at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Mandy's Family Tree VPF Winsome Dream
NPS #706 Born 2012 VPF Winsome Dream, (affectionately nicknamed 'Dooba') was born here on the farm. She's a color changer like her dad, which means her coat changes with the season - sometimes she's black, sometimes she's blue roan, sometimes she's caught between the two. Born with primitive webbing on her forehead, dorsal stripe, barring on her withers and legs, it comes and goes with her coat of many colors.A big mare, she stands 14.1hh. Winsome is also our herd clown. Winsome has been bred to Lucky Ace, and is due to foal in early July, 2020. Winsome's Family Tree Winsome is sponsored by Serena A. Thank you, Serena! |
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Misty Star of Gambo
NPS Reg #364 Born 1997 Not one who looks for attention, Misty stays a bit in the background but adores children. There is nothing more endearing than having Misty quietly amble over to nuzzle your neck, completely out of the blue. A former work pony, Misty is one of our best Equine Assisted Learning teachers.
Misty also has the unusual gait some of these ponies exhibit. Her movement is very smooth and very quick, similar to a tolt. Roughly 12% of Newfoundland Ponies carry the gait keeper gene. All in all, Misty exemplifies the preciousness of landraces, with the gait of predecessors coming through. This gait is neither encouraged nor discouraged in this breed, unlike standard breed practices that would choose one or the other. Preserving landraces means preserving variety amongst them; this is not a cookie-cutter modern breed nor should it be changed to be. Most of Misty's foals were colts who were neutered and had no offspring, leaving little behind to carry on her family lines. Sadly, Misty has a health issue, one that will shorten her life. Our focus is keeping her healthy, comfortable and loved for her remaining days. We are heartbroken but we are happy Misty is able to live out her remaining days with Storm, her lifelong best friend, helping Storm watch over foal Sam. We love you Misty! Misty's Family Tree |
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Highland Snow Storm
NPS #571 Born 2001 One of our smallest ponies at 11.2hh, Storm comes to us courtesy of Equine Rescue Inc, Bloomburg, NY. Being our Misty's old friend who also came from that rescue, they wanted Storm to have a "heritage home that is best suited for the Pony." Storm is the herd boss. She is no trouble but we notice no one gives her any either! Storm loves playing 'tag' and 'hide and go seek' with her favorite volunteer, Samantha. But Storm also loves helping children and adults in our Equine Assisted Learning program. Both she and Misty are our best EAL ponies. Storm had 2 foals; sadly one died. We are unsure of the status of or whereabouts of her other foal, a mare. NEWSFLASH - On July 22, Storm gave birth to a beautiful healthy colt, Cabot's Stormin' Sam. Sam was sired by Vinland's Cabot Chapman. Storm's Family Tree Meadowbrook's Wee Willie NPS #410. Born 1998 A retired children's lesson pony, Willie is Misty Star of Gambo's little brother. A gelding, Willie has not had any offspring. Willie is just the friendliest, sweetest pony ever. He is best friends with Applewood Highland Heather, and both ponies enjoy doing off-farm events and visiting long term care facilities together. Standing at 13.2 hands, Willie is a good sport, our always dependable pony, and we are so happy to have him here! Both Willie and Heather visit schools for the Awesome Animal Academy's endangered animals project-based education program. Willie's Family Tree Vinland's Cabot Chapman NPS #381 Born 1997 A 1997 stallion, son of foundation pony Vinland's Star of the Sea, Cabot is on permanent breeding loan to the farm. He has very few living registered offspring. Cabot is a perfect match for all of the mares here at the Pony Center. He's a big boy, standing right on the edge of 14.1 and 14.2hh, and is a gorgeous bay. He's an older gent and has some dental problems. Sadly, he is also losing his eyesight. Did you know Cabot is famous? He was the model for a Stone Pony collectible. Cabot's first and only Colt was born here this summer, Cabot's Stormin' Sam. However, Cabot has another foal due to be born here in the Spring of 2020! Yay Cabot! Cabot's Family Tree |
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Erik
Hailing all the way from Nova Scotia, Erik moved in here with his pal Smokey. This little gelding has a big build, big heart, and a big personality. Erik participates in our specialized Tours, Pony Picnics, Pony Yoga, and other low key fun events. He is Mr. Charming, outgoing and full of confidence. Erik is a "mystery pony" - his DNA did not match foundation DNA records, which makes him ineligible for registration. Breed Profiling that we ran came back as #1 Newfoundland Pony, #2 New Forest, #3 Miniature Horse. Breed profiling is not accurate and we do not support allowing breed profiled ponies to be registered. Why? The Newfoundland Pony has NO genetic disorders whatsoever. Zero. Zilch. The majority of today's equine breeds do, and many carry lethal genes. As history has shown, the adding of other modern breed's genes (generally to increase numbers quickly) can add lethal genes to the rare breed's gene pool. With low numbers, the percentage of effected ponies would be great, and the breed would dwindle to unrecoverable status. We would also risk adding other undesirable traits such as bad temperament. |
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Ponies Not Available for Sponsoring:
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Highland Smokey Tisdale NPS#645. Born 2007 Smokey came to us from Nova Scotia with his pal Erik. A gelding with no offspring, Smokey stole the hearts of every mare on the farm the moment he walked on the property. A beautiful mover who loves to show off all that he is, in his past Smokey had a very bad experience while being trained to drive. He made a wonderful Equine Assisted Learning teacher but he is now doing his part to save the breed by being in the Davis Farmland Heritage Breed animal exhibit, on loan courtesy of the Center. Known there as the "Super Morphing Power Pony", Smokey amazes the thousands of people who visit Davis Farmland every year because of his jaw-dropping frequent color change, something unique to this breed. Smokey is probably the most radical color changer we have ever seen. Learn more about Davis Farmland. Smokey's Family Tree |
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Fiddler's Green Mister Scronchions
NPS# 785 Born 2008 A 2008 gelding with no offspring, Scronchions is named for an ingredient in a traditional Newfoundland dish. Copper in color, he is flashy and he knows it. Standing 12.3hh, Scrunchions has learned his place at the Center and in the world. An in your pocket pony, still if there is a way to be mischievous, he can find it. Scrunch is currently being used in an Equine Assisted Learning program in Maine where he is beloved and still quite the character. Scrunchions Family Tree |
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True Blue Dream
11 year old "True" is the daughter of registered stallion Macosa's Dream, who is also the sire of our Winsome Dream. True and Winsome Dream are half sisters. True's dam is Cricket, an unregistered mare. Formerly a popular summer camp pony, True decided she was done with all that, and came to live at the sanctuary. She stands just shy of 14hh, and is a talented, beautiful mover. Sweet, trusting, and a super trail horse, she is enjoying retirement from the camp life, living the life as a beloved trail pony for a wonderful family. Since True's dam is not provable as a Newfoundland Pony, she will not be used in the breeding program. Some say that Heritage Breeds are not real breeds. Well if that were the case then why, when used for crossbreeding, does the Newfoundland pony dominate the cross, really putting its stamp on the offspring. Why? Because it IS a breed, a strong, genetically healthy, viable breed as is. And it needs to be kept that way. |
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Deerfield's Gaff Topsail
NPS #689. Birthdate Unknown "Gaffer', a registered color-changer gelding without offspring, has been a part of the Pony Center family since he arrived in New Hampshire in spring of 2017. His previous owner was having saddle trouble with him. After a few months at his initial foster home, it turned out to be more of a project than his foster family was comfortable tackling, so he came to our trainer. Turns out Gaffer's issue was just his saddle. He now lives on a NH equine therapy farm for children where Gaffer makes everyone feel safe and happy. Gaffer's Family Tree |
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Echo of Genesis aka "George"
NPS# 747 Born 2012 George was brought to the Pony Center by his owners all the way from Quebec. A 5 year old gelding who has no offspring, he lived at a farm in Canada that had excellent pasture. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing led to laminitis, and a pretty bad case of founder in all 4 hooves. George is considered special needs, since he has rotation in all four hooves (20% in his right front). Horses and ponies who founder are prone to do so again, and it takes less to cause it a second time - which means George is on a dry lot only, for the rest of his days. Very much loved by his family, they wanted to make sure that George would go to a place with other Newfoundland Ponies where he could be loved and well taken care of by children (which he adores). A perfect example of the breed, George now lives at the same therapy farm in NH with our pony Deerfield's Gaff Topsail. Best pals, both ponies excel at helping children at risk and we are so proud of them. George's Family Tree Meadowbrook Festive Holly NPS #428E. Born 1998 Holly is our Heather's mom, making her Winsome and Mandy's grandmother. Storm is her half sister. Holly and her daughter Lily came to us after their owner was in a bad accident and could no longer care for them. Their owner chose to donate them to the center to help the breed but also knowing they'd get lots of attention as well. Holly and Lily are just a joy to be around. A driving team, Holly and her daughter, Lily, have been together their whole lives. They have never had anyone sit on their back and are not trained to ride. Now special needs ponies due to Cushing's disease, Holly and Lily live with a beloved TV news anchor. She and her husband (who learned how to drive Lily) are dedicated promoters of the breed. Holly's Family Tree |
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Outback Lily of the Valley
NPS #564. Born 2003 Lily has no offspring of her own. We'd hoped that she was in foal to Ammy (via AI) for a 2017 foal, but it turned out what we thought was a baby bump was a false pregnancy.* Lily stands 12.2hh like her mother, and is her matched driving partner. Sweet Lily is outgoing, calm, quiet, trusting and curious. She has a strong sturdy build and nice driving trot, like her Mom. One can't help but love Lily, the beautiful heart she wears on her forehead is the equivalent of one wearing their heart on their sleeve. Lily is in a foster home in Massachusetts with her mother Holly, still enjoying driving and lots of pony hugs. *Both Lily and Holly have been diagnosed with Cushings disease and are being treated. Holly did her job to help the breed by having 2 foals, but Lily has not. We consider the welfare of each pony first and foremost. While it's a huge disappointment, Lily would be a high risk pregnancy that we aren't willing to put her through, especially being an older first time mother. Lily's Family Tree |
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