In the beginning, we purchased Cassie (aka "The World's Ugliest Foal").  Half-Percheron, Cassie was in dire need of worming, nutrition and training.  Naturally, this seemed like a good challenge for us:  after all, we had never owned a horse, never trained a horse and had no place to keep a horse.

Shortly thereafter came the second horse, a half sister to Cassie.

The two fillies proved to be senseless, and so a babysitter was needed.  A 20 year old Shire mare was offered for sale, and so we purchased her to keep an eye on the fillies.  She came with a harness and one driving lesson.

Fanny was an opinionated and strong willed character who insisted on teaching us how to drive.  We purchased a wagon, more harness and another Shire mare to hitch with Fanny.  This addition, Bridget, was almost 18 hands tall, black and (you guessed it) untrained.

Between our stubbornness, Fanny's wisdom and some really great coaching, we managed to train Bridget to drive.  She and Fanny went out (weather permitting) daily much to the amazement of the neighbors who had never seen a team of draft horses in a residential neighborhood.

At this point, we purchased land and began developing the farm. 

Now hooked on driving, we then taught the two "Perchette" sisters to drive.

Fascinated with the Shire breed, we then decided to try breeding.  Since there were no local stallions of the type we had in mind, we opted to use AI.  This was another great learning experience for us.  After almost 6 months of mistakes, Bridget finally was in foal!

323 days later, Harley David was born.  Bridget was bred again on her foal heat, and settled without problem.

330 days later, Norton was born.

We then used the two mares to help clear the land that would ultimately become the farm.  In 1998 we finally moved here. 

We are now focusing on breeding Shire crosses and enjoying the farm life.