Meet the Critters
Sparky
Sparky (2017) is a palomino Miniature Horse. He has a curious personality and always seems to have something to neigh. Don't let his short legs fool you, he is extremely fast and loves racing the bigger horses around the field.
Although a result of breeding with Shetland Ponies, the Miniature Horse is its own breed. They are slimmer overall and have more refined features than ponies. They have an impressively long lifespan of 25 - 35 years or greater. These horses can be trained to ride, pull a cart, or even be guide animals for the blind.
Smokey
Smokey (2005) is a Shetland Pony who gives the best "teddy bear" faces. He is a seasoned birthday party pony ride giver and enjoys being able to pull his cart. He is an expert at figuring out how doors and gates work so new latches get installed frequently thanks to him.
The Shetland breed hails from the Shetland Islands, the northern most tip of Scotland, with their ancestors dating back to the Bronze Age. They have long been used to pull carts for various purposes ranging from fields of peat to coal cars in the pits. The breed is recognized as one of the strongest relative to size in the horse world, typically pulling around twice its body weight whereas larger breeds can only pull half.
Belle
Belle (2017) is our Miniature Donkey. One of the most vocal in the barn, she greets people with a loud bray.
Miniature, also known as Mediterranean donkeys, originate from the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. They are naturally 36" tall or less at the withers whereas their full size cousins are up to 48" tall. They have both monocular and binocular vision and can move each ear independently as well. They have a dark "T" or Cross on their back and shoulders that according to legend is because it is the type of donkey that Christ rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday before the crucifixion and was blessed with the marking for the pivotal role it played.
Toby
Toby (2024) is our Miniature Highland steer. He loves scratches and follows people around the barnyard like a puppy dog. He is always ready for pictures and surely believes he is a superstar. His silliest quirk is that he prefers to never have to walk on pavement.
The Highland is the oldest registered cattle breed. They originate from Scotland. Miniature ones range in size from approximately 36 - 42" tall. Both males and females have horns. Male horns are shorter and thicker, only curving upwards a small bit. Female horns are longer, thinner, and turn up more drastically.
Moon
Moon (2024) is a Zebu steer. He has a friendly personality and will stand patiently as long as he needs to receive a treat, which he gently grabs with his long tongue.
The Zebu, although similar to the taller Brahman of India, is its own breed. They can be raised as a draft animal or to provide meat or milk (which is incredibly creamy and has been consumed for over 7000 years). Their hump is an energy source in hot, dry climates, like a camel's, and is a human consumable piece of meat.
Sahara
Sahara (2024) is a Zebu steer. He loves scratches on his neck, is known to give kisses with his black sandpaper-like tongue, but won't hesitate to play "possum" if there is something he doesn't want to do.
The Zebu has a naturally occurring small frame. Its hump increases in size as they age. They can have a very long lifespan averaging 18 - 21 years. The breed is uniquely resistant to flies due to a sub-dermal twitching.
Lyric
Lyric (2024) is a Valais Blacknose (F2) ram lamb. This sweet boy loves giving kisses and would curl up in your pocket if he could.
Valais Blacknose sheep are from Switzerland and have only recently begun entering the U.S. They are identifiable by their pure white fleece with black markings on their face, ears, knees, and hocks. Both males and females have magnificent spiral twisted horns. Male horns typically are heavier and spiral downward while female horns point out.
Selah
Selah (2024) is a Valais Blacknose (F2) ewe sheep. She is a sweetheart who enjoys gently nibbling treats from your hand. She has a black marking on her tail which is unique to females of the breed.
Due to the stringent rules regarding bloodlines, registry, and the inability to import live sheep or embryos, breeders cross them to closely related breeds such as the Scottish Blackface, Horned Dorset, and others. The generations are broken down into percentages getting closer to purity; first generation (F1) 50%, second generation (F2) 75%, third generation (F3) 88%, fourth generation (F4) 94%, fifth generation (F5) 97%.
Socks
Socks (2024) is a Valais Blacknose / Babydoll sheep cross. He has the best smile in the barn and is always ready to greet you.
Due to genetics from both breeds, this cross typically remains small and very small to no horns. Both breeds are incredibly docile and friendly. With sheep, genders are defined as: unaltered males - rams, neutered males - wethers, females - ewes, babies - lambs.
Mittens
Mittens (2024) is a Babydoll sheep. He is the "black sheep" of the group being the most shy.
Babydolls originate from England. They are bred for their fleece, meat, and for being proficient lawnmowers -- keeping vineyards or orchards well manicured without being tall enough to reach or damage the produce. The breed is naturally polled, meaning they do not have horns.
Ballad
Ballad (2025) is our Katahdin lamb. A Katahdin (kuh-taa-din) is unique in that it has hair, not wool. This means he will not get sheered, but will shed like a horse or dog. The breed is relatively new having been established in the 1950s by a farmer in Maine and named after a mountain there.
Hazel
Hazel (2023) is a Holland Lop rabbit. She is the largest rabbit in the family and does a splendid job of allowing herself to be held and cuddled like a stuffed animal toy. Her favorite snack is celery.
A lop rabbit is not a specific breed but rather a description of several types whose ears "lop" or do not stand upright. The smallest of these nine types is the Holland with a weight of 2 - 4 pounds.
Ginger
Ginger (2024) is our tiny fuzzy lop. She is happy to hop quietly around or be snuggled on a lap for hours. She is easily one of the most affectionate in the bunch. Her fuzz is so thick that frequently it causes her ears to stick straight out instead of being able to flop down.
Basil & Poppy
Basil (tan) (2024) and Poppy (black) (2024) are both Lionhead rabbits. Lionheads are one of the smallest breeds, staying under 4 pounds.
Basil is the digger in the group. More often than not he manages to throw out the majority of the litter box's paper shavings and ends up decorating himself with what looks like confetti.
Despite being named after a spice, Poppy takes her name very seriously and pops around in silly circles, kicking her back legs sideways in a move called a "binky", which means she is incredibly happy.
Pumpkin & Spice
Pumpkin & Spice (2025) are Netherland dwarf sisters. They love strawberries, green tops and all. Netherland dwarfs are the smallest bunny breed, not getting bigger than 2.5 pounds,
Nutmeg
Nutmeg (2024) is a Netherland Dwarf. She came home weighing just a pound. Her tiny frame keeps her as a crowd favorite everywhere. Her beautiful coloring is called broken lilac and comes with the most perfect symmetrical markings on her face and ears.
The Floral Chicks
Thistle & Marigold - Red Laced Wyandottes
Cherry & Blossom (small brown) - Easter Eggers
Ivy & Lilac (grey purple)- Lavender Orpingtons
All breeds are known for being extremely friendly and docile as well as laying beautifully colored eggs.
Raisin, Heihei, Zazu, Scuttle
The youngest hens in the flock, these four always eat together and sleep sharing a nesting box.
Raisin - California Tan
Heihei & Zazu - Silkies
Scuttle - Polish Crested
Posey
Posey (2025) is a miniature Zebu. She came home weighing 22 pounds and standing 21" tall at a week old. Her favorite thing to do is get neck scratches and then run laps with her tail straight up in the air alongside her buddy Ballad. She was shown as a bottle calf at the 2025 Washington Town & Country Fair and wowed the crowd as well as the judge with being the first zebu seen at the fair.
"The noblest art is that of making others happy."
P. T. Barnum