Willow Creek Stables Open House

Back to our regularly scheduled program! This was really fun! After the tornado, and the crisis in Ottawa/Gatineau/NCC, we went to an open house. It wasn't, apparently, a fundraiser. I looked and couldn't find anywhere to donate.

The soybeans are nearly ready for harvesting. A lovely spot, with lots of visitors. The parking was tricky. Farm lanes aren't made for crowds!


The purpose was to call attention to the Newfoundland Pony Society. They were fun to meet. This farm rehabs and/or rehomes them. Some have difficult health issues. There is a great article in the paper, which JB had noticed.

Newfoundland ponies at the heart of farm open house on Christie Lake Road

The pony owes its origins to the earliest settlers who brought a variety of mountain and moorland ponies from Europe to this province as an essential ingredient in taming this rugged land and in meeting the many challenges of survival.

The pony population is at risk for several reasons. There used to be 12,000 in the 70s, and dropped in the 80s to fewer than 100.

• Ponies were replaced by machinery;
• By-laws limited breeding and pastures;
• Owners were encourage to have the stallions gelded;
• Ponies were sold to Quebec for meat, which was resold to Belgium and France.

We were happy to meet these ponies, and their wonderful advocates. They used to run free in Newfoundland, and their distinct Landrace breed interbred with wild herds when they ran wild off seasons.



Happy JB! He loves horses.


I loved the barn. As is typical of this area,there is a ramp built up to the upper floor.


On our way to the car, I spotted a Monarch!

From here, we went for a Sunday afternoon drive. More to follow!