Visitors to Government House grounds in St. John’s may have remarked on a notable absence in recent weeks.

Two Newfoundland ponies, Midnight and Katie’s Rose were welcomed by the RNC to much fanfare in August of 2021 but have since been returned to their owners.

The plan was to integrate the two ponies into the RNC’s Equine Therapy Program, but the Constabulary says the horses used in the Mounted Unit have been serving that role.

The RNC says the horses in the Mounted Unit are trained to deal with people, all day, every day, and while hugely popular with the public, use of the Newfoundland ponies in the program never really materialized.

Newfoundland ponies, which helped to build the province, are an endangered heritage breed.