Meet The Ponies

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Our ponies at The Red Pony Stands Ojibwe Horse Sanctuary contain the two original bloodlines, Keokuk and Nimkii lines. Their lineages date back to the four Original Mares that were the last remaining in the world (Lilian, Biizhiki, Diamond and Dark Face) who were strategically bred to a Spanish Mustang Stallion (Smokey SMR169) in 1977 in order to save the breed from extinction.

Though somewhat smaller than other horse breeds and typically ranging from 12.2 to 14.2 hands high, Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies are nevertheless described as strong, versatile, and athletic with extremely durable feet and legs with amazing stamina. They possess nose flaps and a thick lion-like forelock and mane in addition to profusely-haired ears to sustain harsh winter climates while repelling insects during the hot summer months. 

In addition to their physical characteristics, the breed is also distinguishable by its "primitive" markings which includes the dorsal stripe (that runs from their thick neck, across their low withers and straight back, to their sloping croup and low-set tail), leg and shoulder striping, and light guard hairs along the edges of a darker mane and tail.

Aside from their desirable physical traits that make them the perfect all around horse for children and adults alike, Lac La Croix Indigenous ponies are extremely intelligence thinkers and tolerant of human ineptitude, making them particularly suitable for beginning handers and equine-assisted learning and therapy programs. 

 The Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies were originally located at Lac La Croix First Nation in Northwestern Ontario and Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Northern Minnesota since before the 1800s. Traditional Elders and Knowledge Keepers proclaim that the Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies were here prior to colonial contact and consider them to be "Indigenous to this land."

While all horses are considered sacred, the Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony have a long-standing spiritual relationship with Indigenous peoples. As such, they are particularly apt for healing work with humans and their spiritual power is amplified from Indigenous ceremonies, such as the Horse Dance Ceremony of the Indigenous Plains peoples.