Flying Hearts Farm
Horseback Riding Lessons and Hoof Rehabilitation
Meet Our Horses
Minerva
Minerva is our old "grand dame." She's a 26 year old Anglo-Trakehner mare (by Amiego, out of a TB mare). I've owned her since she was 18 and she is just priceless. She has taught me and so many others so much over the years. She has also been instrumental in helping me start this business. I could never say enough nice things about this mare! As of March 2009 Minerva is officially retired and living the good life! She welcomes anyone who wants to give her a good grooming and some treats while they are here for their lesson!
Sadie
Sadie is another one of my priceless horses. She was bought out of pity at an auction in 2002 and it's turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did. She stands a mere 14.2, and her breed? No one really knows. But she's turned out to be quite athletic and more talented than we ever expected! She is also our main lesson horse, she can do anything from packing around a total beginner, to teaching a more advanced rider lateral movements, bringing a horse truly on the bit, and teaching them more about jumping.
Sadie's Secret
Secret is by Littletree Born Supremacy, out of our mare Sadie. She is a joy to work with - she is smart and sweet and she seems to be the "I have everything under control" type - calm, cool, and collected.
Whisper
Whisper is Shawn Ratliff's new horse. She's a three year old Oldenburg mare by Sempatico out of a West Coast mare. She was lightly started under saddle in the Fall of '09, and is taking it easy for the winter. Her real training will begin in Spring of 2010. Watch for her at the local dressage shows this summer!
Amelie
Amelie is our latest addition to the farm - she is a three year old Haflinger mare. She had limited handling and training before she came to FHF in November '09, but she's so kind and so quiet - her training is really progressing and she's really learning to like people! She has been very lightly started under saddle and hasn't set a foot wrong. She is in foal for a spring 2010 baby, so stay tuned! Amelie is also listed on our Horses For Sale page.
Lily
Lily is Shawn's current hoof rehab project. She's an older pony, in her early 20's, and she came to FHF in August '09 starved and foundered. She is an absolute sweetheart, and she's the toughest little girl you'll ever meet. You can follow her progress on Lily's Blog
Darcy
Darcy is a 6 year old Morgan gelding boarded her at FHF, and owned by Jamie. Since Jamie travels for work, and she also owns Gatsby below, she doesn't have the time to keep Darcy in work. So Shawn is the lucky one who gets to play with Darcy all the time! Watch for the two of them at the local dressage shows this summer, and at the Morgan Grand National in 2010!
Gatsby
Ah, Gatsby. What can you say about Gatsby? He is also boarded here and owned by Jamie. Gatsby loves Jamie and no one else. He is "her" horse. He will allow you to pet him and feed him treats, but secretly he wishes you were Jamie even when you're giving him carrots.
Con Brio
Brio is Minerva's 5 year old gelding - he is available as a companion horse and can be seen under Horses For Sale.
Minerva is our old "grand dame." She's a 26 year old Anglo-Trakehner mare (by Amiego, out of a TB mare). I've owned her since she was 18 and she is just priceless. She has taught me and so many others so much over the years. She has also been instrumental in helping me start this business. I could never say enough nice things about this mare! As of March 2009 Minerva is officially retired and living the good life! She welcomes anyone who wants to give her a good grooming and some treats while they are here for their lesson!
Sadie
Sadie is another one of my priceless horses. She was bought out of pity at an auction in 2002 and it's turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did. She stands a mere 14.2, and her breed? No one really knows. But she's turned out to be quite athletic and more talented than we ever expected! She is also our main lesson horse, she can do anything from packing around a total beginner, to teaching a more advanced rider lateral movements, bringing a horse truly on the bit, and teaching them more about jumping.
Sadie's Secret
Secret is by Littletree Born Supremacy, out of our mare Sadie. She is a joy to work with - she is smart and sweet and she seems to be the "I have everything under control" type - calm, cool, and collected.
Whisper
Whisper is Shawn Ratliff's new horse. She's a three year old Oldenburg mare by Sempatico out of a West Coast mare. She was lightly started under saddle in the Fall of '09, and is taking it easy for the winter. Her real training will begin in Spring of 2010. Watch for her at the local dressage shows this summer!
Amelie
Amelie is our latest addition to the farm - she is a three year old Haflinger mare. She had limited handling and training before she came to FHF in November '09, but she's so kind and so quiet - her training is really progressing and she's really learning to like people! She has been very lightly started under saddle and hasn't set a foot wrong. She is in foal for a spring 2010 baby, so stay tuned! Amelie is also listed on our Horses For Sale page.
Lily
Lily is Shawn's current hoof rehab project. She's an older pony, in her early 20's, and she came to FHF in August '09 starved and foundered. She is an absolute sweetheart, and she's the toughest little girl you'll ever meet. You can follow her progress on Lily's Blog
Darcy
Darcy is a 6 year old Morgan gelding boarded her at FHF, and owned by Jamie. Since Jamie travels for work, and she also owns Gatsby below, she doesn't have the time to keep Darcy in work. So Shawn is the lucky one who gets to play with Darcy all the time! Watch for the two of them at the local dressage shows this summer, and at the Morgan Grand National in 2010!
Gatsby
Ah, Gatsby. What can you say about Gatsby? He is also boarded here and owned by Jamie. Gatsby loves Jamie and no one else. He is "her" horse. He will allow you to pet him and feed him treats, but secretly he wishes you were Jamie even when you're giving him carrots.
Con Brio
Brio is Minerva's 5 year old gelding - he is available as a companion horse and can be seen under Horses For Sale.