This is George Pony.  Not to be confused with George Human, our president. We know, we know. They're practically identical. Easy mistake to make.

George Pony is a registered Newfoundland Pony gelding from Canada, who's registered name is "Echo of Genesis", NPS #747, out of Belle's Newfoundland Echo, and Sweetapple's Joy. Poor George, like all Ponies, didn't know that too much a of a good thing is actually bad. The pasture he was on was fantastic, and as a result, George wound up with laminitis (an inflammation of the laminae, the tissue that support's a horse's pedal bones within the hoof walls), something that can happen easily with ponies and horses alike. If it's severe enough, it results in another condition called founder, which is when there's enough damage that the bones in the horse's feet rotate. All four of George's feet have some degree of rotation, and now that he's foundered once, it makes it really easy to do again, which means George is now on a dry lot. At his old home, it meant he had to be by himself, and like all Newfoundland Ponies, George is a social boy. His owner reached out to us and wondered if we would be able to give him a home where he could have other Newfoundland Ponies to chill with and plenty of people to love and adore him. 

Just look at that face. Is that a face you could say no to? Neither could we. Besides, this is why we do what we do (and love what we do) - to provide ponies in need with soft place to land. Or, in George's case, a dry lot with buddies. He'll be arriving later in August, and when he does, he'll be placed in with our other two special needs geldings, Erik and Smokey (both of which have foundered too). 

Aaaand...one last final parting picture of George Pony. Just look at that. So majestic. So regal. So wonderfully floofy and hug-able. Stay tuned for updates on George as his story with us unfolds!

Whew! So we realize we've been a bit quiet on here lately, but we are a far cry from it here at the Farm! After the Chronicle coverage, the phone has been ringing off the hook, tours have been run on what seems like a daily basis, we've been to speaking Forums, Golf Tournaments, camps have visited, more camps will be starting...and that's not even all of it!

Some very generous donors have recognized the Ponies and have kindly donated to our cause and helping them out. A huge shout out to the following:
Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce: $500 from the Ron Despres Golf Tournament
NH Charitable Foundation: $1200 from an anonymous donor
The Jaffrey/Rindge Rotary: $500 for us being a part of their summer Quest program this year.

You all are amazing people, and we are so happy that people as generous and wonderful as you have recognized how special these Ponies are.

And that's not all, folks! Our Executive Director, Emily Chetkowski, spoke at the Amos Fortune Forum earlier this month and reached out to the local community about the future plans of Villi Poni, and since then, we've had several people come forward about fostering, adopting and helping conserve the breed!

AND IT GETS BETTER - we are now confirmed for 2017 Equine Affaire in West Springfield, at the Eastern States Expo, and two of our Ponies will be coming with us! If you live nearby, come and check us out! We'd love to meet you, and of course, so would the ponies!

Whew. That's a lot of stuff. And that's just the surface. We're also getting a Sanctuary special needs pony, "George" (not to be confused with our President, Human George) He's coming from Canada and needs to be on a dry lot. His owner would love for him to be able to be around children and other Newfoundland Ponies for the rest of his days, and we have no shortage of either here. So all of this stuff going on is a good thing, right? Definitely! However, it also means our poor volunteer board members (and our Executive Director) are being run ragged between the Farm, the public events, and their own jobs, so we're on the prowl for some good people to donate their skills to us and the Ponies. We'll make a special announcement here, and on Facebook, but currently we're looking for a Marketing/Public Relations person, a Volunteer Coordinator, and a Graphic Designer. If you or anyone you know would be able and willing to help us out, send them along! Lots of pony kisses and hugs in return!