More land needed for Newfoundland ponies to thrive

The Newfoundland Pony Society does not begrudge Fisheries and Land Resources Minister Gerry Byrne the “road trip” to Hopeall, Trinity Bay to announce the grant of a 50-year lease of land to the Pony Society and a financial contribution to help restore buildings and fencing on the property. (Cheers & Jeers Editorial Sept. 24)

The Society plans to put the land to good use for hay and pasture and breeding purposes and has a longer-term vision of creating a showcase Heritage Park with Visitor Centre, as part of the Society’s mandate to preserve, protect and promote the Newfoundland Pony.

It was formerly used as a sanctuary for Newfoundland Ponies and horses but had reverted to the Crown some years ago.

The editorial did, however, add a valuable perspective by pointing out the miniscule amount of land involved, 10 hectares out of nearly 40 million hectares of Crown land in the province. In order for the Newfoundland Pony to thrive and prosper in the land where it evolved, there needs to be far greater access to land for Newfoundland Ponies and their owners.

Historically, for most of the year the Newfoundland Pony grazed openly on the commons, known as Crown land, and interbred through natural selection over several centuries to create this unique breed. Fences kept animals out, not in.

The demise, almost to extinction, of the Newfoundland Pony came about because of mechanization and modernization, but a primary cause was “loss of habitat” due to new rules, starting in the 1960s and 70s, banning “roaming animals.”

All species at risk are affected by loss of habitat and the Newfoundland Pony as a breed is no exception.

The population plummeted as owners could not feed them yearround and had no land for pasture or growing hay. Ponies were shipped away for meat or to interested buyers on the mainland and there are now more outside of the province than here.

Many individuals and numerous organizations over the years (both here and elsewhere) have helped in the cause of saving the Newfoundland Pony from extinction. But to rebuild the population here we must focus major effort on mitigating the loss of habitat of the pony in its native land, so people who want to can afford to keep them. Government policies may have to shift to allow Newfoundland Pony owners or groups of pony owners greater access to existing pasture or to lease new lands. The Newfoundland Pony Society is also developing a plan to partner with owners of private pasture land that is currently fallow, to make land

available for summer pasture or hay. Co-operative plans for hay and storage may be another option.

We believe there is significant public support for these and other efforts to preserve the Newfoundland Pony and we are encouraged by the provincial government taking this important step with the issuance of the lease the Hopeall land.

We look forward to continued support in the future.

Jack Harris

President, The Newfoundland Pony Society