DLI Farm

BIG BEN

Ben is Dean's riding horse. They are an incredible team. There is no place to two of them will not lead, on or off trail.  Ben is the boss over all the mares and geldings.  If a horse is acting up, Dean rides Ben over and the horse straightens up instantly. Ben has claimed all the riding mares as his and will not let the mini stallion close to them, although he is a gelding.

We do not know his history or breeding.  I think he favores a TB, but others think he looks Saddlebred. No one agrees on his age either. He has a brand on his left rump and we hope to someday find out more about his past life.  His tatoo looks like a lazy B ((.

Ben is always on the go. He seems familar with working cattle, or just liked trying it. He knows flying lead changes and wants to run barrels and poles. We are not brave enough to open him up. Josalynn put an English saddle on him and took him over a few jumps.  He likes that as well.

Ben can read his rider. He is full of spunk and energy for Dean, will not gallop or turn fast with me, and totally babysits Jadie. A teenage girl used him at a 4-H Game Day. At first he was quiet and careful, but she convinced him that she was a good rider and they wowed the crowd! For a guy of 17HH, he sure can twist and turn.  He was very responsive and eager to please.  We had them run the games several times just so we could watch them move!  NOT FOR SALE!

BERETTA

Beretta is a family treasure.  She is Zackary's horse and the reason that he rides with us.  Zackary was not thrilled with trail riding until he found Beretta.  Zackary bought her and they have been best friends ever since.  She helped him build confidence in his riding.  We think Beretta is a QH/draft cross.  She has the heavy footed walk of a draft.  She does not like to run, but has a beautiful lope.

Beretta is the same yesterday as today. Sane and quiet, safe and friendly.  Willing and trustworthy.  She has a home with us forever!

 Zackary and Beretta move together with such beauty and grace.  They have won several first places in horsemanship and even a couple reserve championships against fancier Quarter Horses.

First time horse riders love her.  Grandchildren can sit on her and she will meander around giving them a big ride!

When our farm was able to get a fancy buckboard wagon, Dean said the only horse he trusted to pull it was Beretta.  She had never been harnessed before, but we were anxious to learn to drive.  So Beretta was poorly fitted with a single side of a draft team harness and put infront of the buckboard.  True to Beretta's nature, she just quietly tried to learn what we were asking of her today.  She did so great!  She very quickly picked up how to turn and never fought us.  She even trotted out with us all in the wagon.  What a joy she gave us!  Zackary and Beretta competed in a two-wheeled cart class, they were the only full size horse competing against flashy mini horses.  I was so proud, but did not think the judge would place them. Beretta responded to everything that Zackary asked of her, including backing over very rough ground.  As always they looked great together, and they got a first place!  I think that Beretta just likes to show off!

 NOT FOR SALE!

 PAINTED SWIFT LADY

APHA #733,347

April 20, 2002

Black Tobiano

sire  KOLORED IN PAINT  APHA 225,473

dam  IMA SWIFT LADY  APHA 183,625

Lady is Josalynn's horse.  They are best friends.  Josalynn is on Lady's rump and her sister, Jadie, is in the front.

Lady came to us as a barrel school failure in July, 2007.  She knows the pattern and has the speed, but not the desire.  Her trainer said that Lady would run the pattern hard and fast...once.  Then she just would not put any effort into it again that day. He wanted to trade for one of our geldings and gave us a week to try her and deside if we wanted to keep her. Josalynn test rode Lady and wanted her.  I tried her out and could not belive my daughter wanted that much horse.  Josalynn had only been riding for two years and they were all calm family horses, not this bundle of energy!  So Lady came home and we hit the trails.  At first, Josalynn was cautious and nervious.  It did not take long for the two of them to fall into a grove together! For the first time, Josalynn was experiencing leading the trail rides. Lady became known as "The Fat Horse". Lady calmed down and learned to walk; Josalynn gained confidence. They learned how to jump logs in the woods together.  Lady had no idea how to jump, but obeyed Josalynn's request to go over the log. Josalynn had never tried to jump before. It has been a great treat to watch them learn.  Lady is a wonderful jumper.  When I asked for a try, I was amazed at the power she puts into the jump.

About three weeks after Lady joined our family, Dean called me at work and said "Guess what your daughters are doing!" Well, that was easy "Playing with the horses."  Dean said that the girls were riding double on Lady in the field.  Wow! Then he added..."Bareback"..."No bridle"..."No rope".  By then my heart is on the floor and I am about to panic. When I caught my breath, I asked him why.  He quickly clearified that he had nothing to do with it! He just happen to see them out in the field. Thank God for His protecting Grace and great horses!

         Josalynn decided she wanted to dress up with Lady as Raggedy Ann and Andy for parades. What a challenge; we spent a lot of time designing and sewing their costumes.  By the parade in April, we were not completly ready. So we went that day with no dress rehearsal.  

 Lady's previous owner (Bill) had riden in parades with us before and knew about our "crazy" costumes. He approached us preparing for a parade and commented on the fact that not all horses will allow such nonsence. We quietly continued with our dress-up.  This was Lady's first public appearance, first parade and first time in full costume! Josalynn rode bareback and I insisted on the bridle. Lady was perfect! Calm, quiet, responsive. At the end of the parade, Bill told us that he knew Lady would fit into our style of riding, but he was amazed at the perfection of the fit. I will never forget the look on his face or his words.

Some how, Lady met our *Danny and they had a foal in July, 2008.  This caused Josalynn and Lady to miss out on a lot of summer fun together, but gave us a wonderful colt. Franky came into this world when we lest expected. Josalynn went out to feed Lady and she was at the gate with the sack hanging out of her. I was afraid we had lost her foal. I saw white behind our brush jump.  There he was, alive and being guarded by two mini mares.  Maggie Mae did not want me to take him.  It took two of us to guide him away from Maggie Mae and out of the field. We put him in the round pen with Lady.  She was very mean to him and would not let him nurse.  Since he was almost dry, I knew he had to nurse very soon. We had never dealt with a mare rejecting her foal and had no idea how to restrain a 1200 pound horse. Lady kicked and charged the foal, threatened to kick me, and pushed over the kids; but she never fused at Josalynn. So Josalynn stood next to Lady's shoulder blocking Lady's view behind her. Jadie stood on Lady's off side and rubbed her milk sack, which she loves. I coaxed Franky into the near side and he nursed! I do not know what we would have done if Franky had not been strong enough to keep fighting for milk. After Franky had his fill of milk, Josalynn gave Lady a bath.  They left the round pen to rinse off.  Somehow, Franky managed to dump the bucket of soapy water on himself. When Lady came back into the round pen, she smelled Franky and was nice to him, investigated and started licking him. From that moment on, she was a wonderful mom. What changed? I believe Lady abandoned the newborn foal and the mini mares cleaned him up, thus leaving their scent on him.  After he gave himself a bath, Lady's instincts kicked in and she realized he was her baby. How many miracles did we receive that day? Probably more than we even know!

So what is their next adventure?  English equitation and show jumping!

 NOT FOR SALE!

WW DANCING WYOMING

ABC #3428

May 17, 2005

sire  *Curly Tom

dam  *NTS Dancing Wolf

Brown Bay Tobiano

NOT FOR SALE!

BHC MAJIC WIND

ABC S678

May 14, 2005

sire *NE-HI MAJIC

dam  *CHINOOK'S CHAPAN CURL

Sorrel with flaxen mane and tail

 NOT FOR SALE!

Ebony

Also known as my Black Beauty!  Or on bad days, Black Brat!  Ebony is a character and has taught me a lot about handling horses.  I was raised with Quarter Horses, carefully picked by my dad, and they have always been my love.  So when I saw Ebony and her classic QH build and movement, I was in love.  She is so beautiful.

Ebony was purchased by a horse trader out of a very seedy horse auction. I saw her, wanted her, did not care about her papers, and Dean traded a crazy cow for her.  Litlle did I know that we traded one crazy cow for one crazy horse!  To this day, I believe she is from good breeding, as she has great conformation, movement and is very inteligent.

Little Miss

Little Miss is a 52' pony. She taught Jadie how to ride. Little Miss has had two foals for us, Little Master and Curly Little Lightning.  She is bred back to *Danny for a May, 2009 foal.  

We take her as a riding pony for our Petting Farm. She is also used in our "Introduction To Horse" class.  Little Miss is the first equine that people meet when they come to our farm.  She will eat anything they you are eating, and sometimes she asks first. She knows how to drink a can of pop, Coke is her favorite! Little Miss sticks out her lips and begs for a treat.

Little Miss can be leased for a 4-H pony.  She loves trail riding and always keeps up with the big horses.  She is a good jumper in the woods, and willing to jump in the arena.  Little Miss has an extended trot, and will start training in equitation.  Little Miss has a forever home here!

Chip and Pete

Amish bred and worked Percheron geldings.  They are in their 20s and in semi-retirement at our farm.  They are teaching us how to drive and giving wagon rides to everyone around.

 We were told Chip was broke to ride.  Zackary wanted to be the one to try him out. We did not have a bridle big enough, so we used his harness bridle.  Zackary had a blast! Chip was not amused, but a good boy.

Of course the kids had to see if Chip could hold them all!  Zackary (in the middle) is 6'2" and the girls are 5'5" and 5'7" with a combined weight of almost 500 pounds!  Chip was a good sport!!! 

NOT FOR SALE!

Tomson

Tiarra

Brianna