LESS IS MORE, HANDLING THE NEWFOUNDLAND PONY

 


Many years ago, my stepdaughter took in a Newfoundland Pony who had been abused.  (NOT PICTURED HERE) He was a train wreck.  We couldn't put a kind hand on him without him quivering in fear all over his body.  He bit. He   kicked. He wanted nothing to do with people. Just awful. 

At that time both my trainer stepdaughter and I were new to the breed. He was definitely a problem.  However, my stepdaughter, after spending time around him, noticed that he did best when not being forced to do anything. She let him roam her property, and over a short time, he decided to follow her, keeping his distance but always watching, curious about her.  Over time, he came much closer, and eventually let her touch him. Of course there was apprehension on his part but he slowly let go of his fear.  Within a few months, he was her best pal. 

Pretty much she could do anything with him, but she NEVER FORCED HIM. She learned as did I, that overall, less is more with this breed. Eventually he could be ridden. And before too long he was adopted by a team of veterinarians who traveled around the country educating kids at the schools about animal care. He was a super star. He was beloved. He came right into the schools without an issue. He loved the kids, and he trusted, totally. 

We both took away lessons from that experience. Personally speaking I have never seen an equine so fearful, so shattered, but in the right hands, he was able to forgive, totally. That was remarkable.

Over time and as we acquired more Newfoundland Ponies, we continued to learn to go with what they already are.  We continued to listen to the ponies.    

I remember when our first foal was born, 13 years ago.  I bought every popular horse birthing book out there.  Like 10 of them!  I was then poised and ready to get that foal to imprint on me within the first 30 mins, which the book said was absolutely crucial to building a relationship, and I needed to put a halter on it, immediately.  I had that book nearby for reference.   

As it happened, we were there when she was born. Timing myself on my watch, I was ready to do the imprinting task. BUT, the foal walked right over to me! Mom wasn't worried, either. Bonding? Imprinting? Checked THAT off the list of things to do after birth. She came pre-bonded! Pre-imprinted. It was so surprising. I didn't bother with the halter. She was glued to me like my best pal already. 

The next day our farrier came, and the foal walked right up to him. He was shocked at how friendly she was, and he had met many foals in his lifetime. He even touched her feet. Filly didn't care. 

Being used to modern breeds that spooked at anything, I was not aware that there were equines like this.  So, I tossed the books. They weren't written for Newfoundland Ponies. Nothing out there was. 

As she grew up, I continued to watch, listen, and learn. 
All preconceived notions, old wives tales, cowboy tricks, horse whisperer blah blah blah, was BUNK.  Natural horsemanship?  Just Hocus Pocus.   
Clearly, these are NOT Quarter Horses or any other modern breed and should not be handled as such. 

The Newfoundland Pony breed is the epitome of natural and these gurus should take the time to learn from them!

We call them a partner breed for a very good reason. For hundreds of years, on the Island of Newfoundland, they were family members. They worked side by side with people, willingly. Docile, tame, smart, with an incredible temperament, the people of Newfoundland knew how to handle and train them.  Round penning??  Never!  Natural Horsemanship?  Eh? Years and years of training? Lol. Having to make sure they are worked weekly and restarted regularly after any time off? That's funny.  

You can't find a more trusting, steady breed than this one, although I understand the same applies to the Fell pony. 

Sadly, you can sure find ponies that have been ruined in the wrong hands. I recently saw an atrocious example of this, which is what compelled me to write. 

That said, the #1 most important thing for all equines is to feel safe.  Safe in the herd, safe with people. All herds have equines who have certain positions/jobs. They are very much like pieces on a chessboard. 

I'm sure you've heard or perhaps think that horses turned out in a field are "just standing around doing nothing."  Well you couldn't be more wrong. Body language communication and interactions are a constant. Why? Because being a prey animal is a constant, 24/7. 
Equines always need to know that their herd mates have their back but they also need to know that people have their back as well. ARE YOU SAFE TO BE WITH?  

They assess you from many feet away. They hear your heartbeat from 16 ft away or more. They sense your level of anxiety often times before you do, and they instinctively know your true intention.  Equines are honest. They give immediate feedback.  Again, this all reverts to the #1 need to feel safe. 

Can you ruin a Newfoundland Pony?  Oh yes indeed. In fact we took in 4 ponies who were handled like quarter horses, round penned, lunged over and over. Ridden intensely in competitive equine programs. Forced to do what that are told, when they are told. No real relationship/connection with people. 

Guess what?  Those ponies were absolutely shut down! They had an invisible brick wall in front of them. No joy. No light in their eyes. No personality. SHUT DOWN.  So cruel. 

How did we get them to come out of it?  We let them be Newfoundland Ponies, much like my stepdaughter did with the abused pony she took in. 

Recently we took one of our mares back, but she was not the same as when we placed her. We had noticed the change in her previously. She used to come right over to see us when we stopped in. But after a while she didn't even look at us and she didn't look happy.  

Sparing the details, she showed no affection or interest in people. This was upsetting. We sent her to a large farm as was planned, where there are other Newfoundland Ponies. The owners of that new location let her just be. They asked nothing of her. It took about a month but that lovely personality came back. The farm owner realized this when the mare walked up to her and put her head on her shoulder, took a deep breath and exhaled.  It was a big thank you.  That brick wall was gone. She trusted again. 

BTW, this mare was the first born foal I mentioned earlier. We knew her very very well. 
We knew something was very wrong. 

I've run into people who've told me that they had worked hard desensitizing a Newfoundland Pony. One such pony arrived to us with a warning that it bit and kicked. The haulers were told to tell us that upon arrival. Not once did we see that behavior. 

I've never known a single pony of this breed who needed to be desensitized. Crossbreds, yes, but not purebred.  It is people who need to be desensitized, from what the horse world has told them they should do. 

To sum up, do NOT allow old school cowboys or anyone else handle your ponies like a Newfoundland Pony shouldn't be. Don't fall for the big deal trainer who professes to know everything. They don't. If they don't know the real Newfoundland Pony and how to work with them, they have a lot to learn. 

Don't forget there is money to be made, and some trainers will tell you anything to earn that money.  Make sure you know where your ponies are going at all times!  Make sure you and other owners know the difference between a Newfoundland Pony and other breeds. Spend time with your pony and let them teach you. Embrace all of their good qualities. This is so important for their welfare and future. 

REMEMBER - Less is More. Work with what they are which is NOT a quarter horse or any other modern breed!  


IN ADDITION - we highly recommend learning how horses/ponies communicate with body language. 
We have followed Sharon Wilsie, the creator of Horse Speak, for 10 years. She has many free videos on YouTube and her latest book is super helpful.  No hocus pocus.  No gadgets, sticks, or whatever products to buy. No buzzwords. No "liberty training."  No ego behind it all. Just real caring for the welfare of all equines. "Horse Speak changes everything."

You will learn how to emulate the body language/communication that horses use with each other. Fascinating and easy to learn.  

Do your pony a big favor and check it out. It's a game changer and it allows you to see immediately what people do wrong, causing horses to suffer because of misconceptions, of which I just saw horrible examples of, which inspired this blog. Clearly these people know little about the breed!

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