Mission Statement
Rocky Run Miniature Horse Visitor Program is a program created to utilize our miniature horses to enhance the health and well being of individuals of all ages.
Vision Statement
Rocky Run Miniature Horse Visitor Program is an all volunteer organization with the purpose of providing opportunities for people to interact with our miniature horses. These interactions will lead to a development of self confidence, an ability to overcome challenges, and increase the potential for self reflection. These skills will help improve an individual’s overall well being.
Goals
1. To teach individuals to safely interact with our miniature horses.
2. To provide community with therapeutic visits from the heart.
3. To provide educational opportunities in the community to help people learn about horses.
Support
Donations make our program possible! They help fund:
- Fuel
- Repairs and maintenance of the Mini Transportation Van
- Vet Wellness Exams and vaccinations
- Dental care
- Hoof care
- Feed and supplements
- Stall and turnout upkeep
Training each mini takes time. We begin by gaining the trust of the horses. We expose them to different settings, spooky objects, strangers, loud noises, and challenging situations. Visitors to our stable, who had a variety of equine knowledge, were put to work helping us socialize our horses. We visited businesses such as Petco, Pet Smart, Fleet Farm, Dan’s Feed Bin, and Mac’s Landscaping Center where we spent as much time as possible getting our minis to interact with people of many different ages. We walked the busy downtown streets of Duluth and the Lake Walk greeting tourists. We also took the miniature horses on trail walks at Spirit Mountain and the parks in Duluth.
Maggie was registered with the American Miniature Horse Association. Her registered name is Tjeerdsma’s Cookie. She was foaled 5/3/2003 and is a palomino with a white mane and tail. She stood thirty-four inches tall. She was very shy when she came to our stable in October of 2016 and developed into a warm, loving miniature horse. Maggie obtained her Pet Partners Registration in December of 2018 by passing her evaluation test with a complex overall team qualification. Maggie crossed the rainbow bridge in 2021. There is a “Farewell to Maggie” on our blog post.
Gracie is registered with the American Miniature Horse Association. Her registered name is Qtrraes Mystic Grace of Boss. She was foaled 4/30/2011 and Maggie is her dam. Gracie is a dun with black mane tail, socks and a star. She is thirty-four inches tall. Gracie has developed into a fun, loving, and gentle miniature horse. Gracie obtained her Pet Partners Registration in December of 2008 by passing her evaluation test with a complex overall team qualification.
Spirit was rescued by Skyview Ranch in Farmington February of 2016. We brought her to our stable in April of 2016. The vet estimated her age at five years old. Spirit is thirty-four inches tall and is a paint with stunning blue eyes. Spirit was not handled very much but she is a quick learner and has become a warm, loving miniature horse. We are hopeful she will become part of our miniature horse therapy program.
Dakota was rescued by Skyview Ranch in Farmington February of 2016. He was brought to our stable with his dam, Spirit. He was gelded at Skyview Ranch and the vet believes he was a year old when rescued. Dakota was twenty-eight inches tall and is still growing. He is a paint with his mother’s blue eyes and had not been halter broke or handled. We hope in another year or two that he will also become a part of our miniature horse therapy program.
Butterscotch was rescued by Skyview Ranch in Farmington February of 2016. She came to Rocky Run in September 2022.
Tuco came from Texas in February of 2021. The vets in Texas thought he had “heaves.” He however, was diagnosed with a collapsing trachea. He keeps all of us entertained with his antics, but due to his condition, will not be able to travel on any outreaches.
If you would like our miniature horses to come visit you or attend a community event contact us. We would be happy to meet you.
Walk With Me™ is a special initiative of the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program to promote human health and well-being in our community. We invite families, nursing home residents, school children, and park and recreation groups to take a walk with our miniature therapy horses in a fun, healthy atmosphere.
Read With Me™ is a special initiative of the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program to promote increased reading skills in our community. We invite people to read to our miniature therapy horses in a fun, relaxed setting.
