(Continued from Page 7)
Denise utilizes the services of professional trainer, Audrey Nusz, Waupaca,
to teach the horses to accept a rider and perform various skills. Denise also
works with 4-H Club students and interns like 17-year old, Courtney Casey,
Stevens Point, WI, who handled all of Feathered Gold Kolbe’s training and
has been showing Jasmyn this past show season.
BONDING
The entire family loves the foals and finds it very hard to part with them.
Denise enthuses, “We want our horses to do well in their new homes.
We do not sell in utero because we prefer to fit each horse with the right
buyer. Our buyers come from all lifestyles, age groups and rider types.
77% of our clients purchase more than one Gypsy Vanner horse from us.
Two clients each, purchased five horses from us over a three-year span.”
Denise relates that they select their mares and stallions for their pedigree,
conformation to breed standards and pleasant disposition, reflected
in their stock’s offspring.
Editor’s note: “I can personally attest to the breed’s docile nature. I am rather
afraid of horses yet when Denise invited me to visit with the Gypsy Vanners
inside their corral; I was surprised to find myself following her. There were
about 10-15 horses of various ages and sizes and they quickly surrounded me,
nudging me to encourage me to pet them. They all wanted attention and truly
acted more like dogs, playful, curious and happy go-lucky.
Somehow, they made me feel complete, as if all I wanted my entire life was
to be an equestrian. I contemplated whistling to see if one would follow me
to my car but then remembered I did not have any proper accommodations
for them.”
(Continued on Page 9)
Top: Gypsy mare and foal in a special bonding moment. Middle: Justin Krause at his first show. Bottom:
Justin teaching one of the foals through his “Baby School.”
“There are many paths
to enlightenment. Be
sure to take the one
with a heart.”
~ Lao Tzu
Page 8
Neighbors-March 2011