The Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project is a charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Newfoundland Ponies. The project began as a group of pony owners and enthusiasts. The group occasionally hosted pony rides and gathered for fence building. With the fencing of a large section of pasture along the East Coast trail in 1996, the Gallows Cove Breeding Unit and Sanctuary came into being. There, ponies roam in small herd in accordance with their ancient instincts.
A charitable organization was formed in the fall of 1997 to offer an opportunity for more people to become directly invloved in supporting Newfoundland Ponies.
The goal of the Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project Corporation is:
The Newfoundland Pony
The ancestory of these small, sturdy horses first arrived in Newfoundland from Southwest England in the 1600's. The ponies were essential companions in establishing outport communities. Continuing imports of Moorland and Mountain ponies form the British Isles and other working ponies from Ireland, New England and Nova Scotia increased their numbers. During the summer, these ponies were allowed to roam and breed freely.
The ponies thrived in the climate and ecological conditions of their new home. The evolving breed was highly regarded for its health, longevity and good nature. Their mixed origins brought out ancient characteristics such as great strenght, good digestion and a thick winter coat.
Today's ponies embody many characteristics of their various ancestry. Some ponies are fairly large; others are neat and small (500-900 lbs., 11-14.2 hands). Their colours vary, but black names, tails and legs are usual. The body colour can be black, brown, bay reddish, gray or roan. Some ponies even change their colouring with the seasons. Skipper, one of the few survivng older breeding stallions, is the only pure white stallion in the province.
A Heritage Animal
Early this century, the Newfoundland Pony was recognized as a distinct breed type belonging to the ancient family of Mountain and Moorland ponies. In the summer of 1997, as part of the Cabot Celebrations of 500 years of European settlement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador granted heritage status to the Newfoundland Pony.
The Heritage Animals Act formally recognizes the unique contribution Newfoundland Ponies have made to the economic and cultural development of our province. The heritage legislation enables protection and preservation of Newfoundland Ponies and designates the Newfoundland Pony Society (NPS) as the society responsible for the administration of heritage animal regulations.
The NPS, a group of dedicated pony enthusiasts, devoted many years to public education and lobbying to gain protective status for the ponies. They foresaw the demise of the Newfoundland Pony as an inevitable consequence of economic and cultural changes in rural communities. The Newfoundland Pony had lost its economic role.
Today, fewer than 100 animals with reproductive potential remain. These small numbers present unique challenges for the survival of the breed, expecially one as diverse as the Newfoundland Pony. Fortunately, veterinarian and animal behaviourist Dr. Andrew Fraset researched and documented the unique characteristics of the breed in The Newfoundland Pony(Creative Publishers, 1991). His work offers a solid foundation for the NPS's breeding program.
The struggle to save individual ponies from an early death in the meat trade has largely been won. From now on, energy can be dovoted to the new generation of Newfoundland Ponies and finding a new economic role to ensure their continued survival in their native habitat.
The Torbay Pony
The Moorland ancestry of Newfoundland Ponies is strongly represented in the pony type known as the Torbay Pony. According to historical documents early settlers came to the Torbay area some 300 years ago from Devon, South West England, the home of Dartmoor and Exmoor pony herds. These breeds closely resemble the ancient Celtic Pony, native to the British Isles.
Settlers brought their versatile, good natured, hard working companions, the Moorland ponies, with them. Compact in stature, hardy and exceedingly strong, these ponies became known as Torbay nags. In days gone by, they were a daily sight in St. John's pulling the carts of farmers and fishers delivering vegetables, fish and splits.
In the fall of 1997, the Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project was able to show off several Torbay ponies to the Mayor of Torquay, England. He described conservation efforts for Dartmoor ponies in the National Park near his home. There, wild ponies are protected in their natural habitat to to roam and breed freely without human intervention. The Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project in trying to make a small contribution to the maintenance of Newfoundland Ponies as a distinct breed in their native province.
Suggestions On How You Can Get Involved:
Organize a fundraiser, adopt a pony, donate money, help with the work, purchase a bale of hay, deliver a bag of apples or a bunch of carrots.
Visit the Gallow's Cove Breeding Unit Sanctuary along the East Coast Trail between Gallows Cove and Tapper's Cove in the historic community of Torbay, Newfoundland.
Information taken from the Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project brochure.
Drawings by Clifford George, artis in residence with the Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project. His illustrations are featured in Newfoundland Pony Tales.
