What's in a name? Find out how the second Newfoundland pony in Gardner got his

The second Newfoundland Pony foal born in Gardner this month has an official name – Half Moon Hero.

The pony, one of only four expected to be born this year in the U.S., was born on Aug. 22 at the Carl E. Dahl House at Evergreen Grove . Half Moon Hero's half-brother, Hope, was born at the substance recovery program's farm on Aug. 9.

Emily Aho, director of the Newfoundland Pony Conservancy Center (NPCC), which has partnered with GAAMHA and the NorthStar Newfoundland Ponies farm in Minnesota to establish a breeding program for the endangered animals, said Half Moon Hero's name is a reference to the crescent marking on his forehead as well as a nod to the many individuals involved in trying to help save the ponies from vanishing from the planet.

"It dawned on me that there are many humble people, unsung, selfless heroes in this battle to save the breed, working tirelessly for the good of this nearly extinct and forgotten pony who for many years was incorrectly considered worthless, a mutt," Aho said. "That misnomer led to their near annihilation."

Newfoundland pony named for heroic missions

Hero would join Hope in a mission not only to save their own species, but also to work side by side with the farm's residents as they attempted to change their lives, Aho said.

"Still, there are more heroes involved – the entire GAAMHA staff and volunteers, saving people battling life challenges, addiction, and mental health issues, people that some consider as worthless," Aho said. "The parallels are incredible."

'Hero' a fitting name for new foal: GAAMHA president and CEO

Half Moon Hero was the perfect name for the new colt, according to Shawn Hayden, president and CEO of GAAMHA , which opened the Dahl House at the former LeBlanc Stables property on Rte. 140 in 2021.

"Considering the impact he's already having in the lives of people in recovery, not to mention his future role in saving his own breed from extinction, I don't think he will have any trouble living up to such a bold moniker," Hayden said.

Aho thanked Hayden and his staff for inviting the NPCC and the NorthStar Newfoundland Ponies farm to bring their herd of ponies to Gardner and intertwine their missions to help people and animals alike.

"There are heroes everywhere in this story," she said. "(We) wanted to recognize them all by naming this beautiful chestnut foal in their honor."

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: What's in a name? Find out how the second Newfoundland pony in Gardner got his