I'm from a farming family in Ortinville, Minnesota. So farming has always been in my blood.
My family moved to Snohomish, Washington in 1968. Snohomish was a big logging town back in its days. Founded in 1904. Our little town is located in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. We are 45 minutes north of Seattle and 1 1/2 hours from the Canadian border.
The farm is located on the banks of the Snohomish River just a few miles south of town.
How I got started in the miniature donkeys.
I have always raised show and pet quality animals. I was in 4-H all my youth and went on to become the youngest superintendent at the Evergreen State fair in Monroe,WA. I was superintendent for over 25 years in the Arts and Crafts. Started the first pygmy goat & Llama group in Snohomish County 4-H program.
I have raised many champions here on the farm. My main herd sire (Little Red Man) is a multi champion in both performance and halter classes. He is also a multi Hi Point winner. In both the US and Canada.
After raising Llamas for well over 20 years. I bought my first miniature donkey in the fall of 1997. Well what can I say, but that was the start of it all. The first two donkeys that I purchased were Lake Chelan Pacencia(Dam to: Lords Hill La Petite Garcon-now living in France) and Lake Chelan Sushi. It was love the first time that I saw them. And after being around them for just a short time I knew that I just had to have more. Then I went on a mission to find that perfect jack. I had been around breeding animals so I knew what I wanted, and I found Little Red Man.
OUR DONKEYS
I have raised, showed & judged animals all my life. So I feel that I know what to look for in a great breeding animal. I traveled with a friend many miles in the US and Canada to look and watch many different animals to find what I feel is the best bloodlines out there. Then I bought what I feel is the best bloodlines in the US and Canada and started my breeding program. I keep two to four jennet foals a year for future breeding animals. That is how sure of my breeding program I am.
My animals are on a regular schedule, for shots-de worming- and I do all of my own hoof care so that I know that they are done right. I have not found a shoer in our area that knows how to trim a donkey's hoof yet.
They have free run of green pastures and nice clean barns that they can come and go at will. My barns are cleaned three times a week and rebedded with nice clean dry bedding. We work very hard to keep the donkeys in good weight. I have rescued many donkeys that have been over weight and they lost their life over it. So I am very careful about their weight. And I NEVER breed any of my jennets before they are three years of age. All of our donkeys are micro chipped at birth.
Our herd has some of the best bloodlines in Washington State. I have combined the best pedigrees of the US and Canada. I have sold and shipped donkeys all over the world. My first jack foal born on the property is now living in France and is the top sire there. He stands only 26".
I want my donkeys to be first and for most GREAT family members, and then they will take you on to win if the show ring.
