MiniHorses

Johnnie Girl

Date of Birth: 2004; Breed: Miniature Horse (A); Height: 32.5"; Color: Grey; Sex: Mare; sire and dam unknown.

We adopted Johnnie in November 2008 from the United States Equine Rescue League as a companion for Lil Bit. We searched until we found the perfect match and Johnnie is everything we hoped for. The first couple of weeks were a interesting as they figured out their hierarchy. Then Johnnie was quite ill and at the vet for three days. As we came down the long drive brining her home, Lil Bit neighed and neighed and when they came together it was in pure joy! Now they re inseparable.

Johnnie's gentle demeanor allows us to utilize her in activities created for the enjoyment of our guests, children and adults alike. It is wonderful to watch the wide-eyed expression of delight on the faces of children when they lead Johnnie around on the front lawn. Their steps quickly fall into the same unhurried pace that is set by Johnnie while she happily nibbles here and there on the lush grass. She enjoys this interaction just as much as they do!

Lil Bit of Honey aka “Lil Bit”

Date of Birth: 09-05-04; Breed: Miniature Horse; Height: 34.5"; Color: Bay; Sex: Gelding; Sire: Laurel Acres Maximum Bid; Dam: Aloha Ashley Acres Periwinkle Blue.

Lil Bit arrived at Mountain Quest on a December afternoon in 2004. The horse trailer was backed into the pasture as we prepared to set him free. All of the horses wandered close by, curious about the newest arrival. We lowered the gate and led him from the trailer. The most awful snorts followed as the horses that had gathered around showed their complete confusion. Looking at it from their point of view, they could smell a stallion, but something was very wrong since he was only slightly bigger than the resident Akita that spent his afternoons relaxing on the front porch of the farmhouse. We had just brought a stallion into their established herd; which wrecks havoc on herds until the new pecking order is established. As we watched reactions turn from curious confusion to bewilderment and even some fear, they all turned tail and stampeded to the other end of the field. There they stood watching, ears tipped forward on alert, all eyes trained on Lil Bit.

We shared glances at one another as we noticed that Lil Bit’s posture began to change. With each protesting snort of disapproval from the herd he followed with one of his own and a stomp of his feet. Our little stallion was confronting his new pasture mates with all the confidence of a Clydesdale. Cracker, who is at the top of the hierarchy, walked up about three feet in front of Lil Bit, bowed to his knees and touched his nose to the ground, deferring to the little guy. He enjoyed his notoriety for several days, chasing the Arabians around until they began to accept his presence.

Lil bit has since been gelded, and eventually had to be separated from the herd because he overate and foundered. He spends his lazy days now with Johnnie Girl by his side. He is

fabulous with our guests, especially the children and is drawn to them like a magnet. For this little horse with huge presence, the attention he receives is a valuable treasure and, to us, he is a very precious family member.