Willow Creek Stables

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Willow Creek Stables

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Willow Creek is home to 23 critically endangered Newfoundland ponies! We are a not for profit rescue

Critically endangered Newfoundland Ponies

It may have ears that are furry and short, and a low-set tail that’s as rough as a bottle brush, but it’s strong, brave, and endlessly forgiving. There was a time in Newfoundland when ponies were as plentiful as dories and cod—a time when human survival depended on the shaggy, sure-footed descendents of Mountain and Moorland breeds that arrived there as livestock with the first British settlers. But progress put the ponies to pasture, and by the 1980s their numbers had plummeted from more than 12,000 to fewer than 100, as meat trucks carried loads of them to processing plants in Quebec. Despite the harsh conditions of life on the land, Newfoundland ponies bred and prospered over the years, adapting to everything that nature and man could throw their way. But as tough as the ponies were, they were no match for machines. Tractors, snowmobiles and ATVs took their jobs, and in the 1970s, communities enacted anti-roaming laws that required ponies to be fenced in, taking away their primary food source. Unable to afford to feed the animals year-round, owners sold them to the highest bidder, which in many cases was a meat truck.

11/03/2026

Golden hour, happy ponies and a whole lot of peace. ❤️ Sometimes the best part of the day is simply having a full belly, good friends and a soft place to rest. That's the Willow Creek kind of life. 🐴

11/03/2026

❄️Why spend so much to bring a senior Newfoundland Pony to Ontario?❄️☃️❄️
What conservation of an endangered breed actually means.

Conservation isn't exclusively about breeding young ponies or producing the next generation. It's also about preserving the history, heritage and cultural significance of a breed that is critically endangered.

Every Newfoundland Pony represents a piece of that history. Senior ponies like Duke are just as much a part of that story as the youngsters. They deserve to be recognized, valued and given the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity.

As a Newfoundland Pony Rescue, part of our responsibility is raising awareness about this incredible heritage breed, educating people about its history and ensuring these ponies aren't forgotten. Conservation also means building appreciation for the breed and recognizing the value of every individual pony.

Duke may not be coming here to breed, but he is coming here as a Newfoundland Pony who deserves a home. His story is another opportunity to bring attention to a critically endangered breed that deserves to be preserved for future generations.

We believe conservation starts with valuing what we have, and that includes our seniors.
☃️❄️Let’s bring Duke home!❄️☃️

11/03/2026

❤️ DUKE’S JOURNEY – $600 RAISED SO FAR! ❤️

We are so grateful to everyone who has already contributed to helping Duke make his journey from Newfoundland to Willow Creek!

So far, we've raised $600 towards his estimated $2,600–$3,000 shipping costs!

Duke is a senior pony, believed to be 29–31 years old, who deserves a safe and loving place to spend his golden years.

At Willow Creek, we have a soft spot for the seniors. They may be older, but they still have so much love and companionship to offer.

Thank you to everyone who has donated and shared Duke's story. Every contribution brings us one step closer to getting this special old fellow home. ❤️

Let's get Duke to Willow Creek!
Donations can be made via etransfer to [email protected]

We will update on when we can expect Duke to arrive once we have a confirmed date from Paul the Newfoundland hauler. He is planning a trip for the end of November and we would like to see Duke here before the snow arrives. ❄️

11/02/2026

🐴❤️ HELP BRING DUKE HOME! ❤️🐴

Meet Duke! This senior Newfoundland Pony is believed to be between 29 to 31 years old and is looking for a place to spend his golden years. We would love to make Willow Creek that place. ❤️

At Willow Creek, we have a special place in our hearts for senior ponies. We believe they still have so much to offer and deserve comfort, companionship, good care and a place to simply enjoy being a pony. Their value isn't measured by what they can do for us.

Duke has a long journey ahead, travelling from Newfoundland to Ontario. Based on our previous shipping costs, we are estimating transportation will be between $2,600 and $3,000.

We're asking our wondertul community to help us get Duke here safely. Every donation, big or small, brings him one step closer to his new home.

Donations can be made by e-transfer to:
[email protected]
We don't yet know Duke's current physical condition or vaccination status. Once he arrives, he will receive a full veterinary assessment so we can determine his needs and ensure he gets the care he deserves.

At this stage of his life, Duke deserves a soft place to land, good friends, plenty of hay and the chance to enjoy his golden years.
Let's bring Duke home!

11/02/2026

Nothing is shorter lived than a freshly cleaned pony field. We clean it, they mess it up. We clean it again, they mess it up again. Honestly, the ponies are keeping us employed! 😂💩🐴

11/02/2026

Captain Sweetapple has a few questions… First, where are the treats? Second, why aren't there more treats? And third, who decided this was an acceptable amount of treats? 😂

Just your friendly neighbourhood pony making sure everyone is keeping up with his very important snack requirements. ❤️🐴🍎

10/31/2026

Today was a wonderful reminder of just how special our senior ponies are. ❤️🐴

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers and everyone who joined us for today's Pony Trek at Willow Creek. We are so grateful to each and every one of you who gives your time, shares your kindness, and chooses to spend a little time with our senior ponies.

There is something truly special about people who recognize the value of an older pony. These ponies may be past their riding years, but they are certainly not past their prime when it comes to companionship, friendship, and all the joy they have to offer.

We love seeing how much our participants appreciate these seniors, get to know their individual personalities, and enjoy simply being in their company. It means more than you know.

At Willow Creek, we believe every pony has value, regardless of age or ability. To have a community of people who see that, embrace it, and celebrate it alongside us is something we never take for granted.

Thank you for making our senior ponies feel as special as we know they are. They have so much left to give, and we're so grateful for the people who see it. ❤️🐴

10/31/2026

🎃😱 WELL, WELL, WELL… LOOK WHAT'S HAUNTING WILLOW CREEK!

The ponies have faced their share of scary things… strange noises in the barn, unexpected farrier visits and the occasional empty hay feeder. But THIS? THIS IS TERRIFYING!

Introducing the scariest sight at the farm…

THE VET BILL!!! 💸🤣

🐴 The ponies have issued an official statement:

"BOO! That's not scary… THAT'S EXPENSIVE! We suggest our humans look away, keep the treats coming and PLEASE don't call the vet unless absolutely necessary!"

A few suspicious sniffs, some wide-eyed stares and suddenly everyone is an expert at hiding behind their pasture buddy. 😂

From all the ponies at Willow Creek: May your Halloween be full of treats, your hay feeders never be empty and your vet bills be MUCH less frightening than this pumpkin!

Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃🧡🐴

10/30/2026

Today we remember McCoy. ❤️🐴

Two years ago today, we said goodbye to this sweet old fellow.

McCoy arrived at Willow Creek two and a half years ago, thin, with a badly matted coat and showing all the signs of a hard life. He was older, arthritic and not in the best condition, but he was Devlin’s very best buddy.

McCoy’s feet had been trimmed, while Devlin’s had not. Given their condition, we can only assume McCoy was still being ridden, despite being an older horse who was clearly struggling.

McCoy and Devlin were both local rescues, and their stories are a reminder of why this work matters.

Sometimes, when a pony or horse arrives in poor condition, you have a feeling that your time together may be short. But that doesn't change what you do. You feed them, help them gain weight, make them comfortable and surround them with more love and special attention than they may have ever known.

You give them the best final chapter you possibly can.

McCoy may not have been with us for very long, but his last summer was one in which he truly thrived. There was a world of difference between the thin, neglected horse who arrived at our farm and the fellow we helped cross the rainbow bridge.

We knew winter would be hard on him. With his age and arthritis, we worried he might not make it through. So we made the difficult decision to let him go on a good day, before his quality of life declined, surrounded by people who loved him.

His last summer was filled with good food, comfort, friendship and care. And perhaps most importantly, he knew he was safe and loved.

That's the promise we try to make to every pony who comes through our gates. It isn't always about how many years we get with them. Sometimes it's about making sure the time they have left is the very best it can be.

Rest easy, McCoy. We hope you knew just how loved you were.

10/30/2026

“Mares aren’t always well liked and for the same reasons strong women aren’t.

Opinionated? Those opinions are not without good cause and maybe you can’t figure them out or maybe you just don’t like her opinion of you. Change it and she will always be on your side.

Stubborn? She just won’t let you bulldoze her. Treat her with respect and her resilience will be an asset to you.

Difficult? You just can’t handle her. You don’t have what it takes.

Stick with geldings then, and leave the mare for someone who understands her and appreciates the same qualities society has subtlety taught you not to like.

Here’s to mares, to strong women, and to those who CAN and DO appreciate them!”
Unknown

💗My mare, Pallas Athene aka Polly; Newfoundland Pony! 💗

Address

2351 Christie Lake Road
Perth, ON
K7H3C6

Telephone

+16132675123

Website

https://www.willowcreekstables.ca/

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