What is the Pony Preserver Mentoring program?
The Newfoundland Pony Conservancy Center's mission is to help this critically endangered breed through preservation, selective breeding and education. Educating and facilitating breed conservation awareness is a key component to the preservation and restoration of this breed. Our mentoring program is designed to cultivate conservation knowledgeable and long term “safe homes” for this precious pony.
In general, we educate the public about the breed, but our mentoring program uses a hands on approach to teaching conservation ideals and principals. We are also mentors, helping potential owners learn about the pony, its heritage, its care, its nuances, and conservation breeding practices. If desired and if there is a suitable pony available, our mentored Breed Stewards are able to adopt a pony, under our continued tutelage. Our adoptive ponies go ONLY to conservation knowledgable homes. Because those homes are far and we in between, we help create them. Stewards continue our work and become part of a network of conservation breeders who help each other, working towards the same goal - preserving these ponies as is, for the future.
Why go to such efforts?
This critically endangered landrace breed does not fit the norm of modern horsekeeping theory and practice since it is not a man-made breed. Created by nature, Landrace breeds go against all that modern livestock owners know and created, which includes how they are cared for. Its mind and temperament are unique, unlike most modern breeds and not what you would expect. The Newfoundland Pony needs to be handled sensitively in order to turn it away from the brink of extinction. Even small errors can affect the breed in such a way as to enhance its extinction vs deter it. As such, understanding them can be conflicting and confusing, even as easy as they are to keep.
Who can be take part in this program?
Anyone, 18 years and older, whether you have equine or rare breed experience or not. In fact we welcome newcomers, as it is often easier to dispel the old practices of horsemanship that do not encourage preservation of the breed's special traits.
Once I learn about the pony and it's conservation, can I adopt a pony?
If interested in adoption, all stewards will still need to pass standard adoption requirements. On top of that, each pony is an individual and will have individual restrictions/requirements, especially concerning breeding. Unless it is a pony that came to us already gelded, or for another reason not able to be bred, breeding is a must.
How will you teach me all there is to know?
Rare breeds aren’t nor should they be for everyone. It takes a certain understanding and commitment. The challenges can be daunting but the rewards are immeasurable. We are here for you and your pony forever. If your pony doesn’t work out, it can and must return to us, like most adoptions require.
This is a super opportunity to find out if rare breeds are what you want or not, and if this is the breed or pony for you, before you commit.
Contact us for more information.
The Newfoundland Pony Conservancy Center's mission is to help this critically endangered breed through preservation, selective breeding and education. Educating and facilitating breed conservation awareness is a key component to the preservation and restoration of this breed. Our mentoring program is designed to cultivate conservation knowledgeable and long term “safe homes” for this precious pony.
In general, we educate the public about the breed, but our mentoring program uses a hands on approach to teaching conservation ideals and principals. We are also mentors, helping potential owners learn about the pony, its heritage, its care, its nuances, and conservation breeding practices. If desired and if there is a suitable pony available, our mentored Breed Stewards are able to adopt a pony, under our continued tutelage. Our adoptive ponies go ONLY to conservation knowledgable homes. Because those homes are far and we in between, we help create them. Stewards continue our work and become part of a network of conservation breeders who help each other, working towards the same goal - preserving these ponies as is, for the future.
Why go to such efforts?
This critically endangered landrace breed does not fit the norm of modern horsekeeping theory and practice since it is not a man-made breed. Created by nature, Landrace breeds go against all that modern livestock owners know and created, which includes how they are cared for. Its mind and temperament are unique, unlike most modern breeds and not what you would expect. The Newfoundland Pony needs to be handled sensitively in order to turn it away from the brink of extinction. Even small errors can affect the breed in such a way as to enhance its extinction vs deter it. As such, understanding them can be conflicting and confusing, even as easy as they are to keep.
Who can be take part in this program?
Anyone, 18 years and older, whether you have equine or rare breed experience or not. In fact we welcome newcomers, as it is often easier to dispel the old practices of horsemanship that do not encourage preservation of the breed's special traits.
Once I learn about the pony and it's conservation, can I adopt a pony?
If interested in adoption, all stewards will still need to pass standard adoption requirements. On top of that, each pony is an individual and will have individual restrictions/requirements, especially concerning breeding. Unless it is a pony that came to us already gelded, or for another reason not able to be bred, breeding is a must.
How will you teach me all there is to know?
Rare breeds aren’t nor should they be for everyone. It takes a certain understanding and commitment. The challenges can be daunting but the rewards are immeasurable. We are here for you and your pony forever. If your pony doesn’t work out, it can and must return to us, like most adoptions require.
This is a super opportunity to find out if rare breeds are what you want or not, and if this is the breed or pony for you, before you commit.
Contact us for more information.
