Proudly Canadian-a rare pony breed
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Who we are:
Abbey Gardens is a not-for-profit charity (#836125666RR0001) in the Haliburton Highlands, ON with a big dream to rehabilitate a decommissioned gravel pit to create a welcoming space for the community. Our focus is to raise awareness about living sustainably. We manage organic and heirloom vegetable gardens, link consumers to local food producers through our Food Hub, teach children and adults about gardening, culinary skills and ecology and promote heritage agricultural breeds through our rare breed demonstration areas. Visit our website to learn more about all of programs and facilities.
Lac La Croix Indian Ponies
An integral part of our rare breed demonstration is our two Lac La Croix Indian Ponies (Ojibway ponies or Manitou spirit ponies). An excerpt from The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide explains the characteristics of the breed:
“The Lac La Croix Indian Ponies are sturdy animals, more disease resistant and hardier than any current domestic breed. They are better mothers and ‘birthers’ than most other breeds…They are extremely strong for their size, versatile, and athletic. Low maintenance and cost effective for their output, they are suited to any purpose, from lumber hauling, buggy driving, pleasure riding, and competition, to eventing and jumping…They possess a common sense that is unparalleled in the modern horse world.”
These ponies are a rare Canadian breed, with less than 200 ponies on record worldwide. So, let's raise awareness to get more people purchasing, supporting, utilizing and talking about these ponies!
At Abbey Gardens, we have two young Lac La Croix Indian Pony brothers-Maple and Sammy as well as a miniature Blanket Appaloosa, Flapjack. These ponies are an integral part of our educational programming and act as ambassadors to raise awareness about this endangered breed. Currently, we integrate our ponies into our children's programming, self-guided interpretive signage tours and volunteer program. Not only do we teach about the breed itself, our goal for 2016 is to launch an Equine-Assisted Learning program, which uses horses (or ponies!) to promote personal growth. It can be used in corporate settings as a team-building activity, with youth to build confidence and self-esteem or customized for one-on-one training.
How your donation will help:
-Design and launch of our Equine-Assisted Learning program
-Installation of a visitor viewing shelter
-Increase the number of interpretive signs for self-guilded learning opportunities related to our ponies and rare breeds
-Paddock expansion to increase visibility and accessibility to the public
-Support for our volunteer program, which teaches equine care techniques and builds familiarity and compassion for the breed
Thank you for your donation. Our boys will continue to inspire, teach and delight community members, while raising awareness about Lac La Croix Indian Ponies and other agricultural rare breeds.
If you'd like to further discuss our plans before you donate, please call 705 754 -4769. Abbey Gardens can issue charitable tax receipts for all donations above $20. After you donate, you will receive an email with directions to receive your tax receipt along with a certificate for joining our Pony Pals Club!
Abbey Gardens is a not-for-profit charity (#836125666RR0001) in the Haliburton Highlands, ON with a big dream to rehabilitate a decommissioned gravel pit to create a welcoming space for the community. Our focus is to raise awareness about living sustainably. We manage organic and heirloom vegetable gardens, link consumers to local food producers through our Food Hub, teach children and adults about gardening, culinary skills and ecology and promote heritage agricultural breeds through our rare breed demonstration areas. Visit our website to learn more about all of programs and facilities.
Lac La Croix Indian Ponies
An integral part of our rare breed demonstration is our two Lac La Croix Indian Ponies (Ojibway ponies or Manitou spirit ponies). An excerpt from The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide explains the characteristics of the breed:
“The Lac La Croix Indian Ponies are sturdy animals, more disease resistant and hardier than any current domestic breed. They are better mothers and ‘birthers’ than most other breeds…They are extremely strong for their size, versatile, and athletic. Low maintenance and cost effective for their output, they are suited to any purpose, from lumber hauling, buggy driving, pleasure riding, and competition, to eventing and jumping…They possess a common sense that is unparalleled in the modern horse world.”
These ponies are a rare Canadian breed, with less than 200 ponies on record worldwide. So, let's raise awareness to get more people purchasing, supporting, utilizing and talking about these ponies!
At Abbey Gardens, we have two young Lac La Croix Indian Pony brothers-Maple and Sammy as well as a miniature Blanket Appaloosa, Flapjack. These ponies are an integral part of our educational programming and act as ambassadors to raise awareness about this endangered breed. Currently, we integrate our ponies into our children's programming, self-guided interpretive signage tours and volunteer program. Not only do we teach about the breed itself, our goal for 2016 is to launch an Equine-Assisted Learning program, which uses horses (or ponies!) to promote personal growth. It can be used in corporate settings as a team-building activity, with youth to build confidence and self-esteem or customized for one-on-one training.
How your donation will help:
-Design and launch of our Equine-Assisted Learning program
-Installation of a visitor viewing shelter
-Increase the number of interpretive signs for self-guilded learning opportunities related to our ponies and rare breeds
-Paddock expansion to increase visibility and accessibility to the public
-Support for our volunteer program, which teaches equine care techniques and builds familiarity and compassion for the breed
Thank you for your donation. Our boys will continue to inspire, teach and delight community members, while raising awareness about Lac La Croix Indian Ponies and other agricultural rare breeds.
If you'd like to further discuss our plans before you donate, please call 705 754 -4769. Abbey Gardens can issue charitable tax receipts for all donations above $20. After you donate, you will receive an email with directions to receive your tax receipt along with a certificate for joining our Pony Pals Club!
Organizer
Cara Steele
Organizer
Haliburton, ON
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