Our Horses and their People

	Moses or Mo, (1983, Pony, 13.2 hh) was a driving pony pulling buggies for the Old Order Mennonites. Through the auction and the Dankos he found his way to Lonesome Acres, where he has become a standout lesson pony that anyone can start with.
	Tisca (1985, Paso Fino, 14.0 hh) is one feisty little mare. She is biddable but is always asking if we couldn't go just a little faster. She will take you up to 15 mph at that incredibly smooth paso gait. Perky, friendly and inquisitive, with her striking pale buckskin coat, Tisca has a lot of fans among those who like a little bit of a challenge.
	Barney (1986, 1/2 Standardbred, 13.2 hh) is as long as a 14.2 horse and as wide as a 15.2 horse and has the ego of a 17.2 horse--at least. He doesn't look much like a Standardbred,but you won't doubt his ancestry once you experience his overdrive trot; he can trot faster than anything we have except Mack. Barney did some competitive trail with our former helper Alison. He is very dominant; when he passes by, almost all the other horses snap to attention and address him as "Mr. Pony, Sir!" His major excavations in the stall have earned him the name Barney Backhoe, but we wouldn't trade him for anything. Where would this website be without his popular column? Barney has added to his repertoire in recent years, learning a number of circus tricks such as playing a keyboard and brandishing a sword. Pat will be happy to demonstrate his talents at the drop of a curry comb.
	Dandee (1987, Arabian, 15.0 hh) is Pat's usual mount for competitive trail. People who think that Arabians are hyper and goofy should try this laid-back boy. He is always quiet and gentle. His calm personality makes him an excellent lesson horse as well as helping him to finish with good results in competitive trail.
	Roxy (1990, Arabian, 15.0 hh) is a lovely mare, very sweet and biddable. She does have a long energetic stride and moves like Mack on a slightly smaller scale. Once kids are ready to move faster, they love riding this well-behaved mare. She was also a good distance horse. She's done several long-distance rides both with her former owner and with us. For a few years after Mack's retirement she became Vic's usual horse for competition, but at the age of 16 began to develop some arthritis in the knees—like Vic. She has been retired from competition but is still used for short rides and remains an excellent lesson horse.
	Tico (1992, Thoroughbred X Peruvian Paso, 15.1 hh) did not inherit the paso gait, but has the smoothest trot you've ever experienced. He is very friendly and curious in a pushy sort of way, always picking up Vic's tools when he is working in the barnyard.
	Buddy (2001, Appaloosa, 15.0 hh) is a new acquisition. He is a nice boy and is settling in well. This solidly-built lad is also known as Bud the Spud.
	Seabreeze (2001, Arab/Quarter Horse, 14.3 hh)—Breeze, for short—was named for the seahorse silhouette on her forehead. She is a very pretty chestnut mare, and Pat plans to use her as her next mount for the longer rides and camping trips. Breeze has a very smooth trot and generally a sensible attitude.
	Pat Gottlieb (no foaling dates given for humans) has been fascinated with horses ever since she was a very little girl. She took riding lessons at 13 and bought her first horse at 18. That first horse was soon killed in a barn fire, and she bought Lonesome shortly after. Pat has done just about every conceivable equestrian event: pleasure, Western games, cross-country jumping, competitive trail as well as week-long horseback camping trips. She has an immense library of horse books. Pat's was a primary school teacher for many years before retiring and thus has the background to set young riders at their ease. Her lessons and summer camps are a fun time for the kids. e-mail: pat@lonesomeacres.com.
	Vic Milne has been looking after horses since 1972, but didn't get into riding for a long time. When he moved in with Pat in 1989, he told her that he would help her look after the horses but didn't plan on getting any closer to a saddle than wearing English Leather aftershave. On a vacation in Cuba he accompanied Pat on a livery ride and had so much fun on his gaited horse that soon after their return Pat was shopping all over to find a Paso Fino for him. Tisca was soon purchased, and after that there was no stopping Vic. He does much of the maintenance work around the barn, and as a closet computer geek tracks the finances, edits the Pony Express and maintains this website.