Reprinted from The Packet, November 9, 2015
by Lester Green
Our family horse Bonnie, owned by William Green of Little Heart’s Ease. Late 1970’s
For generations unfenced and sometimes even fenced pasture/ garden lands around the Southwest Arm communities could be seen with herds of horses that were to free to roam the land from the late spring to early fall. Their owners would release them to search for food.
Today these ponies are known as a distinct breed that evolved over time from the interbreeding ponies brought to these areas by our forefathers.
These ponies were a hardy creatures that were considered by many to be gentle, lovable and loyal to their owners.
The ponies were working animals hauling firewood and logs during the winter months, ploughing the fields in the spring, hauling kelp and caplin as fertilizers for the potato grounds, and providing family transportation.
The darkest part of pony history came during the period when horse dealers searched the island for these animals to send to the slaughter houses on the mainland. Many Newfoundland owners no longer valued the pony, it had been replaced by the ski-doo and other machines that could do the work. Records indicate that during 1980 around 700 ponies were shipped to Quebec. Today there numbers are estimated between 200-300 animals.
Our Heritage Society would like to preserve these animals are seeking your assistance in recording horses that were used in our area. If your family had a pony, we would like for you to let us know its name, physical description, the owner’s name and if you have a photo, we would love to have copy for our website. If you know of other horses in your community, let us know. We will compile this list and eventually upload this information to our site. Some of you may have a story, poem or interesting article about you family pony.
To start this list, I am uploading our family horse that became a member of family around 1959. I have many fond memories of travelling to Blue Hill Pond with my Dad on Saturdays to cut firewood. I will always remember the time my Dad waited outside the school in a snowstorm to give my sisters and myself a ride home. We came out of the building and standing there covered in snow was Bonnie and my Dad. We hopped on and held tightly as she carried us home on the family slide.
Looking forward to your stories, photos, names, etc.. Let’s build our Random heritage together!
Everett Lambert with Wayne.