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Flynn put to a 1920s Runabout
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Beth wins with Flynn!
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Our harnesses were all purchased second hand as well. I do not
advocate buying old beat up equipment as it can be deadly but if you watch
the newspapers and look on bulletin boards you can often find lightly used,
well maintained equipment and harness offered for sale. Use your
head, track down people who drive in your area. They often have things
for sale or have friends who know where you can buy what you need.
We have discovered that there are hundreds of lovely well bred animals
out there in need of homes. Most of the animals we have owned were
rescued from bad homes or purchased at auction barns where their futures
were dubious to put it mildly.
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Megan, Jim and Beth
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Twig, between Classes at the 1998 Sleigh
Rally
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When we started buying equines we were complete novices
and did bring home a few creatures that did not work out but we were able
to get them all good homes. It does take time, a great deal
of patience, and a deep commitment to these animals . Not every one
has what it takes to do this but it is my hope that some of you will take
what I say to heart and keep your eyes pealed for animals with potential
that may be right under your noses. It breaks my heart when I see
many perfectly sound animals board the meat trucks for Canada, or go off
to homes where they will be neglected and abused. No, you can't save the
World but you can save a little piece of it! Having 20 years of experience
with all kinds of animals, large and small, the one thing that is most
obvious to me is there are way more lovely animals in need of good homes
than there are people who can give them good homes.
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Driving in Historic Chautauqua Institution
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Taking Mother for a drive
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We began here at Thistledown
Croft with a few sheep, a couple of dogs and a cat . We knew
very little about farming or equines. Read, read, and read some more.
There are hundreds of great books, magazines and videos that are wonderful
aids that can help you avoid all sorts of mistakes. And now as you well
know we have the Internet! The other advise I have for you is make
friends in the driving, donkey or horse world and those people will share
their experience which you will find invaluable. I have wonderful
friends to thank such as John and Penny Kent of Lazy K Stables, Timothy
Charles of Party Animals, Diana Saxton of Wheel Horse Farm and many, many
others who have shared their knowledge with me and made me a better horse
women.
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Packing Jenny at the Pittsfield Rendezvous
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Tony and friend
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We love all our animals but I have to say it is the donkeys that have
stolen my heart. So often mistreated and terribly misunderstood they
have been with mankind for thousands of years! When people ask me
why I love them so much I tell them that donkeys have the best attributes
of the dog and the horse!! They are great companions but they also
can be packed, ridden, driven, or used as guard animals and what
more in the world could you ask. For more about donkeys go to our
link page and browse the donkey connections there,
especially The American
Donkey and Mule Society ! Donkeys come in many sizes and
colors and pictured here are just a few of our floppy eared friends.
We love packing our donkeys in Chautauqua Gorge, in parades, and at Rendezvous.
We used to drive a spotted standard donkey who is no longer with us, and
we are looking forward to driving our newest standard donkey Sam who is
just being started in harness.
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Thistledown's Foghorn Fern
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Thistledown's Sassafras Sam at two years
old
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Our main driving horse is a fourteen year old Morgan mare, Cape's Icecapade!
She is a beautiful mover and has a classic Morgan temperament. She
is sweet and very easy on the bit. She was used by her former owner
and good friend of ours, Diana Saxton as an all around farm horse.
She was trail ridden, used as a brood mare and professional carriage horse.
She took part in driving shows and sleigh Rallies but also spread a little
manure once in awhile! How is that for those of you who thought the versatile
all around Morgan was a thing of the past. Here at Thistledown Croft,
Twig as she is known to most people, is ridden and driven and occasionally
asked to skid logs. We are hoping to learn to plow with her at the
Hull homestead. For photos of the Hull's Oxen visit the
Hull Oxen Page! We are already making plans for the 20th
Annual Chautauqua Country Horseman's Assn. Sleigh Rally and would like
to invite you all to come at this time! For more information on the
sleigh rally visit the Rally Page and see great
pictures of past participants and read about this fun family event!!!!!!!DRIVE
ON -Beth
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