Pictured are two native North American breeds.
The Newfoundland Pony and the Canadian Horse. The Newfoundland Pony, an island pony breed, is North America’s only native pony breed and that has not had its genetics “improved”. It is as it’s native homeland, the island of Newfoundland, created it to be - well rounded, hardy, cold tolerant, sane, healthy, capable and willing to do anything it is asked to do. A landrace breed that is hundreds of years old, it was only acquired by Canada in 1949, which is when the island was. As it is currently getting noticed, breeding for one purpose over another is a looming threat to this breed. Selecting out certain traits changes breeds, forever. That is not preservation. Breeding to the market (which is where the money is) over time has permanently damaged many breeds. Hence the issues many breeds have today. Newfoundland Ponies should not be handled like modern breeds are. They are not wired the same, trainers can easily sour them. We have seen this happen. Think handling a golden retriever like a racing greyhound - not good. With this breed, less is more. They train you either positively, or negatively if you don’t have an open mind to changing yourself. Desensitizing a Newfoundland pony is just the opposite - people need the desensitizing. At no fault of the horse world, people only know what they have experienced and with 500 of these ponies on the planet, very, very few have experienced them. To keep this breed as is, education is paramount, but also difficult. We are looking for people to be, or learn to be, true breed stewards, not just breeders, to help preserve this breed and prevent its kind, willing nature from being exploited. Preferably looking for stewards located in New England. Reach out to us at [email protected] #blueribbonsdontsavebreeds #preservingtheNewfoundlanfpony #breedstewards #nativeislandponybreeds #newfoundlandponiesusa #newfoundlandpony #helpNewfoundlandponiesthriveinnewfoundland
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Hello, and welcome to our blog covering great things going on here at the Farm! We also share news & information on the breed and our ponies. Archives
July 2025
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