The Pony You'll Never Outgrow™

We meet many people at events, on tours, and wherever we go that the topic of conversation becomes the Newfoundland Pony.  So many times we are told "my child had a pony but outgrew it", or "I had a pony when I was little, but I outgrew it".   Often times those comments are followed by "we/I miss that pony" especially when one of our ponies is in their presence. With some people you can see that youthful sparkle return to their eyes and a genuine smile on their face as they pet or enjoy a soft nuzzle from our ponies. Clearly the encounter brings them back to a simpler time, a happier time when their pony was their best pal.  

So why not get a pony that you won't outgrow, ever? No, we don't mean breeding for or buying a large pony, pushing 14.2 hands.  Why not get a pony that can truly do it all, for children on up to adults?
Traditionally the Newfoundland Pony was the family pony.  They weren't just for children as many ponies are considered today.  They plowed the gardens, they hauled logs for firewood, and fish nets out of the water.  These were not children's birthday party ponies at all. They were an integral working member of the family that helped the family survive. 

Today there is a big push for simpler ways. Homesteaders, people living off the grid are revisiting, reusing the old ways - preserving and living off their land. People are tired of the unhealthy foods and lifestyles so many of us consume and live.  These people grow their own food in a garden. They raise chickens, goats, pigs, cattle many of which are old breeds, They use no pesticides, or unnatural chemicals. They utilize permaculture and biofarming process. Essentially this movement is what we call "Going back to move forward."™,  returning to an earlier time in order to gain a healthier future.  That is exactly how we promote the Newfoundland Pony, by "going back to move forward."™ 

Newfoundland Ponies as they currently are, unimproved, not raised for one market, are diverse in their ability.  Sane and super easy to train, they are terrific mounts for children but also for small adults.  They will often win ribbons in shows. They are skilled jumpers.  They take to  driving like a duck to water.  And they make super work ponies,, suitable for small farms - plowing the family garden, hauling firewood for winter and any number of horse drawn chores being revived today.  A team can do the work of a large draft but are easier to dress in harness, and much more thrifty to keep. 

​This is the pony that Dad uses to plow the garden with, haul wood with, etc, but their child can show it in the local fair. This pony can be an equine therapy pony and also a super trail pony for a small adult. Being so useful, affable, easy and thrifty to keep, they in turn can avoid the life of being passed from child to child that so many ponies endure. And children can avoid the heartache of giving up a pony they love because they "outgrew" it. 

The Newfoundland Pony is a family pony. In order to retain all of these traits, their breeding should not focus on one use over an other which is a fate that has befallen many breeds such as being bred to be "hotter", leggier for show jumping.  Sure, you can jump a Newfoundland Pony, but you can also haul hay bales on a skid out to the farthest paddock for feeding.

The Newfoundland Pony has something to offer for everyone, they do it all. And they need to stay that way, in order to keep on doing it all.