Our foals born each year are not "just another foal adding to the population"; they are individuals treated with gentle respect from birth and given age appropriate training in their young life to build a strong foundation mentally and physically for their journey in whatever direction their life may take them.​

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The first stage of a successful foal is a well cared for and gently handled mare.  The mare shares so much with the foal while in utero; physically, nutritionally and mentally.  Characteristics both good and bad are imparted on the resulting foal.  We have raised foals that have the same attitude, mannerisms and habits that are a direct mirror of their dam! Even with an orphan foal - they can have habits of a mother the foal never knew

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The Beginning:

Our foals are handled from birth while respecting the bonding experience of the mare and foal. 

Our young foals are touched softly all over to begin the acceptance of various things life may throw at them;  ears, face, feet, legs, underbelly, undertail and all parts in between. 

​We avoid a halter as much as possible the first 4 months.  Emergencies happen and there are times we have no choice but NEVER do we pull on a foals head to teach to lead or drag behind the mare.  The very tender myodural bridge can be damaged without knowing rthus leading to a lifetime of issues.  Our foals can wear a halter within a month but never unattended or as a device to pull on....​

Growing curiosity and confidence in months two thru five before weaning at 6 months is an exploration of everything under the watchful eye of the mare and the herd.  The handling at liberty continues, halters maybe put on within the confines of the corral to gain acceptance and trust in the haltering process.  Tarps, ropes, jugs, balls,etc. are within the corral (never unattended) for them to explore and hear the sights and sounds as they build curiosity and confidence.  We never force an item at them - scaring them does not desensitize them for the future.  Natural, calm exploration builds the confidence to explore new things. 

Independence - weaning is started slowly at around the 6 month mark.  Our foals are not traumatized by a sudden departure from everting they know and trust.  The mares are removed only by a fence and the foals are kept in groups or with another young pony to support them for hours at a time with the mares returning for nursing and support at night.  The time of the separation grows over two weeks until complete separation.

The Solid Foundation continues with age and personality appropriate measures; every pony is different and learns and progresses at different rates.  Experiences we offer for learning:  self loading in the trailer at their own pace both at liberty and in halter, lots of walks around the ranch and other area's offering natural and man made obstacles to walk over, on or around, different experiences with other animals and machinery, standing tied for longer and longer periods of time, use of ropes, tires, tarps and other devices to understand sites, sounds and smells at their comfort level,  learning to pony behind another horse and the experiences grow as the pony allows and accepts.   

As the pony matures the naturally progresses; difficult and longer tasks continue with surcingle's, bareback pads and lines added at three years old.   We believe strongly that you don't have to ride to enjoy a horse - hiking with our ponies is most enriching to both human and horse offering a bond of trust and respect like no other activity.  

Nutrition: lifecycle nutrition from the carrying mare to our retired ponies is handled accordingly and in the herd environment.  Special needs are addressed as such.  Upon weaning a young pony requires extra nutrients beyond hay for the stress curve of weaning and the growth over the winter into their first year. All our ponies are feed free choice hay in a 2" bale net in addition to free range pasture.  We have learned that unlimited grass forage does lend itself to a healthy horse but encourage education on this matter.  Each year we test our hay and do the best we can to balance the vitamins and minerals with a free choice salt and mineral supplement.  We are always happy to discuss specifics of our program and encourage continuous learning on the nutritional requirements of the healthy horse.