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The Newfoundland pony is a critically endangered breed of small equine from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. These ponies descended from British pony breeds brought to the Western Hemisphere by English, Irish, and Scottish settlers.
Already well adapted to the harsh climate of North Atlantic islands, these ponies were able to thrive in their new Canadian home. Settlers kept free-roaming herds of these ponies in Newfoundland, where the population once grew into the thousands.
Newfoundland ponies were used as hardy and versatile all-around horses on the island for centuries, until a ban on open pasturing and the mechanization of agriculture drove them to brink of extinction. Today, Newfoundland ponies are protected by the Heritage Animals Act.
This breed profile will discuss the history, characteristics, health problems, and nutritional needs of the Newfoundland pony breed. Keep reading to learn more about feeding and caring for Newfoundland ponies.
Newfoundland Pony History
The history of the Newfoundland pony breed is closely intertwined with the history of their native homeland. These ponies were essential to early pioneer life in Newfoundland.
This heritage breed survives today thanks to protection from the Canadian government and dedicated breed enthusiasts.
Origin
Ponies first accompanied settlers to Newfoundland in the early 17th century. John Guy, the first Proprietary Governor of Newfoundland, imported a shipment of Dartmoor Ponies from England in 1611.
Other shipments of ponies from all over the British Isles followed. Historical records show these ponies included Connemaras, Exmoors, Highland, Fell, and New Forest ponies. [1]
DNA studies of native Canadian horse populations confirm genetic links between Newfoundland Ponies and several British breeds. The climate of Newfoundland closely resembled that of the islands where these horse breeds originally developed, enabled their descendants to flourish in the newly established settlements. [2]
Farmers kept early Newfoundland ponies in free-roaming herds on the island, allowing the ponies to graze and reproduce with minimal human intervention. Natural selection acted on the population to favour hardy animals that could survive the harsh weather and sparse winter vegetation.
Historic Use
Although they lived in herds on open pastures, Newfoundland ponies were not considered feral. Settlers relied on the ponies for everyday life in Colonial Newfoundland. Their agricultural lifestyle required strong ponies to plow fields, haul kelp and wood, pull fishing nets, and transport families.
By 1935, the island’s pony population peaked at 9,000, but their numbers soon sharply declined with the modernization of agriculture and societal changes. A mid-20th century ban on free-roaming livestock in Newfoundland further contributed to their population decline. [1] Exports of ponies to France for horse meat also increased in the 1970s.
Shortly before the Newfoundland pony neared extinction, breeders stepped in to preserve the breed. They gathered the free-roaming herds on the island and began breeding the horses in captivity.
In 1997, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador passed the Heritage Animals Act, which made these horses the first recognized heritage animal of the province. This law gave Newfoundland ponies protected status, but the breed is still considered critically endangered. [3]
Breed Registry
The provincial government appointed the Newfoundland Pony Society (NPS) as the official organization responsible for maintaining the breed registry for these ponies. Incorporated in 1981, the NPS is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the Newfoundland pony breed.
Breed Characteristics
Only ponies that meet the breed standards are eligible for registration by the Newfoundland Pony Society. While ponies must demonstrate Newfoundland ancestry, they are also evaluated based on physical traits and temperament characteristics of the breed.
Conformation
Newfoundland ponies range in height from 11 to 14.2 hands. These ponies can also be a variety of types. Some are more refined, while others are larger and stocky. This variation is likely due to influences from different breeds over the development of Newfoundland ponies.
All Newfoundland ponies should give the overall impression of a hardy, sure-footed, and sound winter animal. They have thick manes, furry ears, hooded eyes, a low-set tail, and feathered fetlocks. Their hooves are hard, and their legs should be free of defects.
Colours
Newfoundland ponies can be a variety of colours, but pinto and spotted patterns are not accepted. Coat colours often change in the winter due to the breed’s heavy winter coat.
Standard coat colours include:
- Bay
- Black
- Brown
- Chestnut
- Dun
- Grey
- Roan
Temperament
The Newfoundland pony’s docile temperament is a defining characteristic of the breed. Newfoundlands are described as having good dispositions with willing work ethics and easygoing personalities.
Their temperament makes the breed suitable for a variety of handlers. Most owners find Newfoundland ponies to be friendly and curious, but like other breeds, they can be cheeky. They enjoy interacting with humans and other horses.
Disciplines
Initially bred as all-around ponies for early settlers, modern Newfoundland ponies are versatile and excel in many different jobs and disciplines. These ponies are intelligent and easily trained.
Newfoundland ponies are primarily used for recreational riding and driving. They are ideal family ponies, often beloved by children due to their size and temperament. While most adults are too large to ride them, Newfoundland ponies can be used as driving horses.
Some Newfoundlands are successful show ponies under saddle and in harness. Other popular disciplines for the breed include hunter/jumper, dressage, saddle seat, equitation, and trail riding.
Newfoundland Pony Health
Newfoundland ponies are hardy animals that possess great resilience, having survived for centuries with minimal care from humans. However, through good care and management, owners can safeguard the breed’s future and keep their ponies in optimal health.
Genetic Diseases
Horse breeds with small populations typically have low genetic diversity and a higher risk of hereditary health issues.
Landrace breeds that develop in geographic isolation are especially susceptible to inbreeding depression. This term describes the reduced fitness and vitality observed in offspring resulting from the mating of closely related individuals. [4]
Despite this, studies have revealed unexpectedly high genetic diversity in the Newfoundland pony breed. The wide variety of horses brought to Newfoundland throughout the island’s history likely resulted in the diverse gene pool of Newfoundland ponies. [5]
No known genetic diseases have been identified in the Newfoundland pony breed, which is a good sign for the breed’s future conservation. However, the metabolic syndrome to which they are prone is almost certainly genetic at its roots. The gene(s) have not yet been identified.
Health Problems
Newfoundland ponies have a predisposition for equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), which is characterized by insulin resistance and an increased risk of laminitis. [6] Easy weight gain and obesity can also occur in ponies predisposed to metabolic syndrome.
Research also indicates that metabolic syndrome is prevalent in the native British ponies from which Newfoundlands are descended. However, risk factors for EMS can be effectively addressed with appropriate care and management. [7]
Dental problems are a common concern in senior Newfoundland ponies. Horses that cannot effectively chew their feed may become undernourished and experience digestive issues, even when fed a balanced diet. [8]
While Newfoundland ponies are generally sound with good feet, navicular syndrome can cause lameness in the breed. This chronic condition is associated with degeneration of the navicular bone and surrounding soft tissues. [9][10]
Care and Management
Owners can support the breed’s future by providing their Newfoundland ponies with quality basic care to support their physical, mental, and emotional needs.
All ponies need regular veterinary care and a preventive wellness program with scheduled vaccinations and deworming assessments. Dental exams and teeth floating should start at a young age, but older Newfoundland ponies may need more frequent exams to monitor for issues.
Newfoundland ponies, like all equines, require attentive farrier care to maintain their hoof health. Regular trimming ensures that the hooves remain balanced, preventing uneven wear and potential lameness.
Farrier care is also important to prevent navicular syndrome, which is often linked to biomechanical stresses and excess loading forces on the navicular bone. Corrective shoeing can provide support for ponies with hoof problems. [11]
These ponies are more prone to skin irritations due to their thick manes, coats, and tails. Daily grooming can help remove debris and keep their skin and hair healthy, while also allowing owners to bond with their ponies.
Newfoundland ponies are hardy animals that do well living outside in most conditions. As long as they have access to safe shelter, these ponies typically don’t need blankets in cold climates. If your pony lives inside, provide daily turnout for free exercise and social interaction.
Newfoundland Pony Nutrition
Ponies have unique nutritional needs compared to larger horse breeds. They evolved to thrive on less nutrient-rich forage, which means they are more efficient in extracting energy from their food.
Make sure your Newfoundland Pony’s feeding plan is tailored to their specific bodyweight and health needs. Feeding a balanced diet is essential for managing health risks in these ponies and supporting the conversation of this breed.
Weight Maintenance
Newfoundland ponies are easy keepers, which means they store fat efficiently and are prone to obesity when overfed. They also require fewer calories per pound of body weight compared to larger horses.
While this efficient metabolism helped their ancestors survive harsh winters on the island of Newfoundland, it also predisposes the breed to metabolic disorders.
Closely monitor your pony’s weight, and make adjustments to their diet as needed. Regular body condition scoring can help you determine if your Newfoundland Pony is at a healthy weight.
Keep in mind that owners can mistake obesity in Newfoundlands for the naturally stocky build of certain pony types.
Sample Diet
The following sample diet is intended for a mature 600 lb (270 kg) Newfoundland Pony horse with normal body condition at maintenance (not exercising).
| Feed | Amount per day |
|---|---|
| Mid-Quality Hay (8% crude protein) | Free-choice |
| Salt | 15 g (1 tbsp) |
| Omneity® Pellets | 100 g (1 scoop) |
| Diet Analysis | |
| Digestible Energy (% of Req) | 107% |
| Protein (% of Req) | 128% |
| HC (ESC + starch; % Diet) | 8.8% |
Forage should provide the foundation for every equine diet, but grass and hay are often deficient in essential nutrients required to support your pony’s health. In particular, forage samples from Newfoundland are often classified as severely deficient in the trace mineral selenium. [14]
To correct for nutrient deficiencies in forage-only diets, it is important to feed your pony a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement with adequate selenium.
Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement that provides key nutrients required to support hoof health, immune function, energy metabolism and gut health in Newfoundland ponies. Omneity® is also fortified with a full serving of selenium-enriched yeast, making it ideal for equines from Newfoundland.
