Sire: R GS Norman
Dam: Paulsens Hershey Kiss
Komokos -bred
DOB: 1997 Buckskin Mare
AMHA & AMHR registered

Dakota with her 2010 palomino filly Gold N Carmel Kisses
 

Dakota’s Story
On a foray into South Dakota to pick up a previously purchased Mini filly, my husband took ONE look at a tiny buckskin mare with the biggest eyes we had ever seen, in a pasture full of other minis, and decided she was coming home with us. After some “persuasive negotiations,” she was ours. However, she did not come without issues, which was the only way we were finally able to convince her owner to part with her.Nicknamed “Dakota” (how original!!), she had a major problem during foaling that spring, and the vet had to cut the baby out in pieces. It was doubtful that she would be able to carry a foal again. We decided that if she couldn’t have another foal, that was fine with us. We could always cart train her, or she could just be a pasture ornament. After all, who could resist those EYES! She was about as wide as she was tall from all of the previous babies she had carried, but she was, and still is, beautiful.
Dakota was immediately put on the HS-35 and our vet was called to check her out. Sure enough, she had an infection. It was a stubborn infection that required persistence, but we have a great vet in Dr. Phyllis Leidal, who was equally as “stubborn.”Dakota was not bred that year or the next. The following year, she was bred to Canterbury Gold Rush, and we were elated to discover she had taken on her first cover. The nail biting started as she neared her foal date. She was monitored closely, and our vet was on speed dial. As usual, I was gone on business when the call came that she had delivered a beautiful palomino pinto filly (2010) without any help. Both were healthy and strong.Ultrasounded back in foal for a 2011 baby, Dakota, again, took on her first cover, and we anxiously awaited this baby too. (She was left open for 2012 as we believe in giving mares “breaks.”).On May 20, 2011 Gold N Dakota Bear was born, an incredible buckskin, minimal tobiano colt. Exceptionally husky, we had to help her, but the baby was strong and up standing in no time. He looks like a miniature Quarter Horse! He has a breathtaking, fancy trot and is ALL boy! We cannot say enough about the incredible power of quality nutrition. There is no doubt in our minds that without the HS-35, this mare would not have been able to conceive, let alone deliver more foals. Dakota is in the best shape of her life and even that big tummy from having so many babies has decreased in size.

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(Canterbury Gold Rush x Sanders Hershey Hugs)
April 16, 2010
AMHA & AMHR Palomino pinto filly
Measured at 29.75 inches January 2012.

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Sire: Marystown Cowboy Cool by Epplers Coca Cola Cowboy
Dam: Skip Of Gold SOS, by Simmons Sonny
AMHA & AMHR
DOB:
Height:

Beautiful Frosted Buckskin Mare!

Ultrasounded in foal to Canterbury Gold Rush for 2012




 

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Crescents Judy
Sire: Fishers Master Mickey
Dam: Fishers Jody
05/04/1986

AMHA/AMHR Palomino, 32.5"

Judy’s Story
Judy came into our lives in 2006 at the tender age of 20. She was part of a huge dispersal sale from a farm in Wisconsin that was dumping about 40 head of their horses (mostly older mares that could no longer reproduce), at a sales barn. No one bid on her. The auction house had guaranteed a minimum amount for each animal, so they “bought” her. She and many of her companions were headed for slaughter. Someone, however, saw the big, beautiful brown eyes of this little palomino mare and decided she needed another chance. (Could that someone be named Stan?) We certainly didn’t need one more mouth to feed, but eventually I succumbed as I usually do when there is a horse involved and Judy joined the ever growing herd of Minis at the farm. That said, the price certainly wasn’t free, and we paid more for her than some youngsters going through the sale that had a whole lifetime ahead of them.
Judy, of course, thrived on the HS-35 supplement, oats, hay/pasture and organic salt that all of the horses on our farm are fed. She was obviously just a pasture ornament as we call those who do nothing but look pretty in the pasture.
Then in the winter of 2010, Judy’s life changed. With help from her human friends Jennie and Skylar, she was trained to ride at the age of 23!! Skylar’s two nephews ages 2 and 5 were the first to ride her. The grand old lady seemed to like it. She was patient, sweet, kind and willing. Later she presided at Wyatt’s 6th birthday party in June for a dozen eager-to-ride children. The girls loaded her up in Skylar’s van, and she arrived in style.
Judy is now used for riding lessons, and Kaylee Smith, age 6, (pictured with Judy on Nov.23, 2010) is learning how to ride on her, both bareback and with a saddle.
Judy’s life has a different purpose now. Her workouts are brief and tailored to her age, but she seems eager to go. Normally we don’t train Minis to ride (mostly driving, in-hand trail obstacle courses and halter), but she has inspired us to start some of our young Minis under saddle and maybe even some of the older mares (as long as there are youngsters who want to learn how to ride).
The next time someone says, “What can you do with a Mini?” you can tell them about Judy. You can also tell them that Minis make wonderful companions, you can show them in halter, jumping (yes, jumping!!), in hand obstacle trail classes and, of course, in driving. The Minis are basically fearless and not much scares or spooks them. They like to learn tricks, are happy to come in the house and load up in your van or car (if you let them). The ones that are handled properly and consistently as well as have good dispositions make excellent companions. Even if they accidentally step on your toe, it doesn’t hurt quite as much!

We l♥ve our Minis!

UPDATE: Kaylee is now jumping with Judy. Who knew the grand old girl had it in her? She happily trots the cavaletti and through the poles with Kaylee, crosses and stands compliantly on the bridge, plastic tarps and best of all—JUMPS. Kaylee is doing some halter showmanship practice, and Judy immediately stops on the verbal command of whoa (the most important word in a horse’s vocabulary) The two are headed for the show ring next year so watch for more updates.


First, Kaylee checks out the height to make sure Judy can jump it!

  
Next, up we go, three high!

 
Down we go!  Look at that form!

  
Stop and stand on the bridge!           All pony tails in the air: trot across
                                                          the cavaletti!                                             
                                                                       
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