New Stamps by Canada Post...

Date of Issue - 15 May 2009

Hi ! In today's post, here is a beautiful se-tenant pair on Canadian horse and the Newfoundland Pony issued by Canada Post on 15 May 2009. Both species are recognized for their strength, and, despite their small statures, they are known to endure harsh environments. One stamp features a Canadian Horse peering from the left, overlooking a gold-coloured silhouette of a horse-drawn carriage and a sepia-coloured landscape representing its origins, Quebec’s colourful autumn meadows. The other in the se-tenant pair features a pony, trotting from the right onto a snow-covered landscape showing an emerging lighthouse in the background as well as a gold-coloured silhouette of a pony ploughing the land. When placed side by side, the carriage and the plough meet on the stamps, blending into one image. The faint and subtle backgrounds suggest the origins of the two creatures, and the two different seasons remind that these horses and ponies were relied on year round. I must say the designs of both the stamps have been shown together with great skill used by the designer of the se-tenant pair of stamps . it's a beautiful set of stamps on the smartest creatures of the world. Just magnificent and a very collectible item for all ! Those collecting on horses would find these stamps really wonderful and would love to have them in their collection. This is all for Today...Till Next Post....... Have a Nice Time !

The Canadian Horse and the Newfoundland Pony
The first stamp features a Canadian Horse—a strong, sturdy creature with royal lineage and a long presence in Canada. In 1665, the King of France sent several shipments of horses to the colony of New France. Straight from the King’s royal stables, these Norman and Breton steeds were of mixed origin and included Arabian, Barb and Andalusian stock. Since they developed in isolation from other breeds, these horses eventually merged into a breed of their own, now recognized as the Canadian Horse.

Because of its resilience in the face of harsh weather conditions, the Canadian Horse outworked and outlived larger breeds of horses—a feat that earned it the nickname, “The Little Iron Horse.” Though threatened with extinction in the late 19th century, efforts were made to preserve the breed. In 2002, the Government of Canada honoured the Little Iron Horse’s legacy by declaring it the national horse of Canada.

A Newfoundland Pony, historically considered the all-purpose pony, trots onto the second stamp. This pony’s presence in Canada dates pack to the 17th and 18th centuries, when English settlers to New Founde Land brought along many breeds of ponies to help out on the rugged terrain. These hardy creatures adapted to the harsh climate of the North Atlantic, and over time, they interbred and merged into a common breed, now recognized as the Newfoundland Pony.
Since the onset of modern technology, which took over the jobs once performed by the ponies, their populations have plummeted drastically. To protect this historic creature, the Newfoundland Government declared it a Heritage Animal in 1997.Both species are also celebrated for their personable, sociable and intelligent personalities.

Courtesy - Canada Post