A group of endangered Newfoundland ponies are almost home after being transported across the country from Vancouver.
Ten of the horses are staying at a stable in Boylston, N.S. - the last rest stop before moving on to Newfoundland.
“They off-loaded the trailer and they just ran, they ran across the field like a herd of wild horses, so it was beautiful to see,” says stable owner Maud Peters.
Newfoundland ponies are a breed of horses that developed naturally over time on the island. They would work from spring to fall and be left to run wild in the winter, which led to the horses having a narrow chest and small furry ears.
“They naturally selected their partners, so, as a result, the pony evolved to live on the conditions of Newfoundland,” says Peters.
It is estimated that there are only about 400 Newfoundland ponies in the world.
“There will be some infusion of new genetic material from these ponies into a breed, which is established by Rare Breeds Canada as being an endangered species. So, anything new that we can add to the herd is going to be great,” says Cle Newhook, president of the Newfoundland Pony Society.
Earlier this year, an owner in Vancouver had to give up his small herd of 20, ten of which are now at Peters’ stable. Peters has ten mares, while ten stallions are staying at other farms in Nova Scotia.
Peters says hosting the ponies has been an educational experience.
“These girls are an extremely friendly bunch,” says Peters. “What I do is actually try to help with re-homing of ponies and horses.”
Peters expects she will be looking after the ponies until the end of the month, at which time they will make their way back home to Newfoundland.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
