Author: FantailFinn

A Glimpse of 2019

We tried our hand at the Farm Team Hitch class at the Michigan Great Lakes International Draft Horse Show!
We tried a little plowing at the Zenker Farm Plow Day in April. I had so much fun we bought our very own horse drawn plow and Spring 2020 will be our debut!
2019 Northwest Michigan Draft Horse & Mule Association Drivng School. Haylee helps work with new drivers on their single horse driving skills.
We attended the 2019 Northwest Michigan Draft Horse & Mule Association Driving Show, held at the Northwest Michigan Fairgrounds in Traverse City.
Fergus and Finn also went to the 2019 Driving School.
Fergus and Finn tested their strength at the Bear Lake Days Horse Pull. There’s no way we can really compete with the Big Horses- those guys weigh in at 5000lbs plus, our combined horse weight is only 4000lbs, but we pulled a few loads for fun!

We did many other events- you can find pictures on our Facebook page- Fantail Farm LLC.

  • Horse Progress Days- Arthur Illinois
  • Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn Day & Demonstration
  • Rex Dobson’s Ruby Ellen Farm Plow Day
  • Chippewa Nature Center Plow Day at the Farm
  • Harbor Days Parade- Elk Rapids
  • Swensson Farm Horse Power Event- Montevideo MN
  • Manistee County Fair & Horse Pull
  • Northwest Michigan Fair Draft Barn display & wagon rides

As the Seasons Change…

Levi was our single horse super star this winter!!
Using our snow roller, we tried our hand at packing sleigh trails at the St. Ambrose Cellars in Benzonia.
It rained on us at our Plow Day demonstration at Ruby Ellen Farm in Leelanau County, but Fergus, Haylee and Finn managed to make a few turns around the field.
We were invited to the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, to give a horse drawn demonstration. Fergus and Finn enjoyed the cool weather.

Trying Something Different

Our horses have enough life experience we feel comfortable trying different things.  This is our first attempt at a 4-up hitch, using a rope & pulley system.  We had good success and learned a lot in the process.  Hannah is not a good leader, but Haylee is.  Fergus might make a better leader, and Finn is a great wheel horse (closest to wagon).  We’ll be switching them around the next attempt!  

Lack of snow does not equal vacation time!

Chuckles, Hannah and Finn out on a sunny day in February. Finn’s first day of pulling by himself. He doesn’t seem to mind.

Hannah and Chuckles

Finn, Fergus and Haylee work together.

Keeping everyone in practice during the in-between seasons is important.

Finn practices pulling the cart all by himself! He did a pretty good job for the first time.

 

Trying out some new ideas!

Let’s Ride!

We took the opportunity while there was some soft snow/cushion, to give the geldings Fergus and Finn a test ride.  While driving is their first job, we’re not going to limit them to driving as their only job!  Angel accepted the challenge to climb aboard and see how they would handle themselves.  It was a success!

Finn checking out Angel’s boots because that’s ‘not where they usually are!’

Then it was Fergus’ turn.

The fascination- seeing a rider on top of Brother Fergus! Wow! What the heck is that?!

Chuckles watches all the goings on with that burning question- ‘you got time to come scratch me?’

It’s been a busy 2017

Coho Festival Parade, Honor Michigan- 2017

Kaleva Days wagon rides- 2017

NW Michigan Draft Horse & Mule Association Driving Show, August 6th, 2017. Wagon placement challenge. How we doing’ on that side honey?

Finn & Haylee at the 2017 Driving Show- NW Michigan Fairgrounds.

Mother’s Day weekend- 2017. 4-H Boot camp driving demonstration.

Haylee at the 2017 NW MI Draft Association Driving School. She is smart, knows when a new person is on the lines and challenges new drivers, making her the perfect candidate for this job.

Benzie County sunset- 2017

2017 Pet Appreciation day at our local Tractor Supply! The boys were invited in to do a little shopping and meet the staff!

Haylee and an admirer at Jacob’s Corn maze, October 2017.

Fergus, Finn and Haylee meet the folks coming to Kaleva Days 2017.

Kaleva Days 2016

We helped the Kaleva Historian by giving a tour around town past historical sites including the Kaleva Bottle House,  during Kaleva Days.  The weather was just right, and we learned a lot about the history of Kaleva Michigan while we were out doing our most favorite thing, driving horses!

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