I would like to thank you for visiting, and take the time to tell you a bit about myself.
I am an "equine enthusiast" to say the least. I have had a love of horses my entire life, as most little girls do. When I was in 5 years old, I started taking lessons at a hunter/jumper barn. This was my first real foray into riding and basic care and grooming. Unfortunately, eventually, as the cost of lessons became too great for my mom, and I had to stop. My mom always supposted my passion and my dream, and without her support, I'd never have accomplished what I have to this day. (Thanks mom...I love you and miss you.) Luckily, though I remained horseless, and unable to afford lessons, we lived in a subdivision which bordered a large, successful standardbred farm, and my best friend and I were able to spend countless hours watching the mares and foals, and occasionally riding her cousins former show pony, Honey. Honey was blind in one eye and had a typical pony mentality, but she could jump anything you pointed her at. From high school through graduate school I recall riding just a handful of times. But that was to change. In 1997 I graduated with my Master's degree, and I started teaching. With a regular job, there came regular pay...and the extra cash for my first purchase.
When I finally started looking, I tried many horses that would probably would have suited me better, but I fell in love with an Off Track Thoroughbred mare named Sheza Spy. She was not competitive at the track, but completely sound and not even 4. SheShe was my girl, and we endured many life-changes together, along with training issues, foaling, the births of my children, and the pressure of raising a family and working full-time. I am heartbroken to say I lost her to colic on July 8th, 2003. She was a true individual, and will always be my first love. Losing her really pushed me to look to finding "the perfect horse" for me, and I did my research, tried several other horses, and finally made the decision to purchase a Trakehner. I was looking for something with a bit of athleticism, some "spark" and drive, and soundness and durability for sport. I have wonderful broodmares, and I have found everything I have ever wanted in the Trakehner breed: athleticism, personality, intelligence, strength, beauty, and a wonderful history as well as a small but passionnate community of breeders and owners who are committed to the preservation and promotion of this incredible breed. My ultimate goal is to produce high-quality sporthorse prospects, at an affordable price. I love my girls, and they are the backbone of this venture. All of my mares are proven in performance, pedigree, and progeny...and they have good minds and nice temperments. True to their heritage, they are also hardy, and have good bone and substance, yet are not coarse. In order to afford the BEST broodmares, I looked for older, proven mares, and I have not been disappointed in any of my mares. Of course, I definately understand the need for some "blood" in any good program over the long term, and I love my thoroughbreds, and the Anglo-Trakehner "cross". I will continue to search for another proven, hard-knocking old thoroughbred stallion to take through ATA approvals.
While I am keenly interested in riding, my true passion is the foals. I think this passion was cultivated as I spent countless watching, loving and grooming (and sneaking nighttime bareback rides on) the standardbred broodmares on the local farm. Now, I love working with my foals closely, while also allowing them the freedom to learn how to be horses. I feel that this socialization and handling will make saddle training a much more positive experience, and I anticipate that each of my foals will be exceptionally trainable and amateur-friendly, yet capable of performing at the upper levels in sport.
I keep my broodmare herd "au natural" on a large, rolling pasture with access to free-choice hay. They do not stand in stalls all day, but rather they enjoy being actual horses, and the foals learn to socialize as they grow. They are handled young, but not overhandled. I am blessed to have the freedom to make sure the mares are cared for as I think is most healthy and natural, with the convenience of quality veterinary care and modern science. Of course, there is a large barn, several stalls with Dutch Doors, a heated/air conditioned office/lounge and an indoor arena to accomodate the various needs of human comfort as well as foaling, lay-up, vetting, and shelter, and smaller individual pastures for private turnout, or for moms with new foals. Overall, I feel that the horses are healthiest when they are able to live out 24/7 if they choose, with free access to grazing and hay, and daily "grain" rations for a balanced diet. We do what works for our horses, here, and it shows. They are all individuals, and they all have different needs.
I always look forward to the many opportunities these wonderful animals will enable me to pursue in the future! I feel blessed to have the opportunity to have them all in my life. I have a wonderful "real job"...still the same after a dozen years, and I enjoy teaching just as much now as when I did when I started. But the horses are my passion...my love. They are part of my family, which also includes a wonderful, supportive husband, and four beautiful children. Without them I would be just a woman with a dream, but because of them I am able to dream.
~Joie Roddy~
