Hi Pat,
I wish Gary and I weren’t so busy these days but this may be a thought for the Core group and the people who have suggestions about what a pony should be.
Suggestions to accept “only this or only that” will be detrimental to the unique and diverse group of genes surviving in the remaining few animals of breeding ability.
Being a protector of this unique set of genes means not accepting opinions of how a pony should look or whether the body is longer or shorter than height etc. What you see is what you Have !!
What is left of the Newfoundland population( which is critical) is a product of Natural Selection having occurred over 400 years on the island of Newfoundland and without human interference.
Animals roamed unattended for the late spring, summer and early Fall. In the dead of winter The pony was normally in a horse house of some sort, whether it be a barn, lean-to or outdoor shelter but they were mostly “in” all winter with turn out on good days.
They were pasture bred in freedom but now hand bred in haste.
People need to accept what is left instead of trying to create their own “style” of what they think a Newfoundland pony should look like.
This breed cannot be compared to any other pony or horse. It is already the “owner” of its own phenotype and genotype and is very solid in its soundness and temperament.
Man did not create this breed…it created itself. To restrict any of the remaining attributes by creating a style as opposed to standard, will result in watering down the genes and minimizing the diverse genetic pool, as people will begin to want what they think is a beautiful newfoundland pony, thus eliminating the undesirables.
One must remember it was a “work” animal chiseled into what it is today.
Also unlike the purebred dog world of breeding, a dog can produce from 1-12 puppies per year as opposed to the equine, which has only one…per year if you are lucky. Not everyone breeds their breeding stock so therefore there isn’t even one foal per live breedable pony.
The pony survived because it was easily trained, easy to get along with and forgiving (temperament) Because it was used as a work animal it had endurance and strength and a heart as big as any draft breed because it was a forgiving soul (resilient) when worked too hard. Also it was hardy, a good winter keeper, and could safely maneuver the narrow paths common on the island.
Gary and I always said that you know you’ve found pony genes when their two front legs look like they are coming out of the same hole…or when a pony is standing you could “just” fit your hand in between its legs and chest…This narrow chest adapted, it preserved heat. The short furry ears, as frost could bite at long unprotected ones. The low set heavy tail which is usually tucked into its buttocks so to preserve heat. The hooded eyes to protect from the elements and so on. One needs to look at the pony and decide what attributes occurred because of adaptation. This pony had the ability to adapt to change and cope, which is what it has been doing for hundreds of years. The strong survived.
Bobbi and Gary Barnes
Vinland Farm – Heritage Nfld. Ponies
