- Austin Mini
Without our amazing minis, we wouldn’t even be here! Take a few moments and read all about our minis. Get to know their likes and dislikes, favorite foods, and some of their hobbies!
Bandit - We’re Bandit and Gyoza, we are Class B miniature horses – which just means we are a littler taller.. We’ll talk about me, Bandit, first the one with the red forelocks first- I’m a 6 year old 37″ tall paint gelding. My Mom named me Bandit because I stole her heart. In fact I steal lots of peoples hearts. My mom got me and my friend, Gyoza, from a horse rescue in Ohio called the last chance corral. You can find out more about them at www.lastchancecorral.org the nice people at the horse rescue bought me from an auction. When I first came to live with my mom I was very scarred and shy. Someone in my past was not very nice to me. They even left a halter on me that was way too small. As I grew the halter hurt my nose and cut into the area behind my ears. My mom has spent a lot of time introducing me to lots of nice people. We often go to the park or go swimming at Barton Creek. I really love swimming and then rolling in the grass afterwards. I’m also a really good worker. I also like to trot down the trails while pulling my cart. Some times my Mom even puts on funny clothes and takes me and my cart to Rennaissance Festivals. After working my Mom gives me treats. Two of my favorites are apples and peppermint horse treats.
Bravo – Hi, I’m Buckshot. I am a silver dappled paint gelding and recently was donated to Minis and Friends by my pal Marcia who only wanted to make me happy – by having other miniature horses to run and play with. So I came back over to Onion Creek Ranch to live with my buddies – Buckshot, MasterCard, SeanMonet, Stardust and Storybook. Now I have been adopted by a really nice family (see my page) – the McReynolds and now I have Cauree and Braydin, the family kids to pamper me and love me and give me the forever loving home I have always dreamt about. P.S. Tim and Leslea are my new parents – and they are really okay too.
Cajun — Hi! I’m Cajun. a seven-year-old 33″ pinto gelding. I live at Wild Oak Farm with Millie and Sterling. I started my life with my new family this past 4th of July when Stacey Drane and her daughter Amanda fell in love with my big brown eyes and sweet disposition. I am one of three geldings in my family, and, of course, I’m the favorite… but shh! Don’t tell the others! I look forward to going out and meeting new people to love and make happy.
Cashew — “This is my story of Cashew and his trip today to bring some sunshine on ‘a cloudy day’ to meet his newest friend. My friend, Becky, works with Hospice and she called us to come to see one of her patients. So this morning, Cashew and I visited a lady whom I will refer to as Mrs. Sweetness. She is an Alzheimer’s patient at the Wesleyan here in Georgetown. She is non-responsive with little or no eye contact. She does not stand on her own. As a young woman, this lady had ridden horses, so we thought that with a visit with Cash, she might respond. Mrs. Sweetness was in her wheelchair when we got there and had her eyes closed with fisted hands. Cashew went up to her and the aid who helped her stand up said, ‘She is standing on her own.’ She opened her eyes and touched her hands to Cashew’s forelock. She held on to it for several minutes. Her son would take her hands and touch them to Cashew’s coat and hair. It was an awe-inspiring sight between horse and mother and son! After a few minutes, the lady got tired and sat down, but continued to let them place her hands on his neck and face. Cashew put his head down on her leg at one point and looked like he was about to go to sleep. As our new friend tired, she closed her eyes and was taken back to her room. Cashew and I walked back to her room with her family. She was non-responsive again by then, but walking Cashew on the tile floor seemed to perk her up a little. She seemed to know that Cashew was there. Cashew laid his head against her leg and she received that nuzzle calmly. I told Becky and the lady’s son that I would be glad to go back to spend some time with her, so I may be going back again soon. I would love to give the family just a little bit of joy when they see their mom feeling a little better.” – Candy
Khaki – “I’m Khaki, better known as Sweet Mama to my human mom, Candy. When she walks out the door, I know she’s going to have something for me to eat, so I whisper to her, ‘Hey, can you give me a little more please? You know how mothers are, hungry all the time!’ I am sweet, and I am very smart… and I’m the boss of everything. Well, at least I’m the boss of Cashew, who is Skittles’ daddy. I am gentle and love treats, and, most of the time, I am very cordial. I tend to be a little bit shy, but I’m always thinking! I have my ‘hooves’ full with my baby Skittles, because she usually makes a ruckus around here. I’m still trying to teach her to be a lady. Some day, I want to take her on visits with me so she can see more of the world!”
Lewis– “You might have noticed that I look a little different than the other minis at Minis and Friends. That’s because I’m a Miniature Donkey. I am only 28 inches tall. I used to belong to a sweet little boy in Goldwaithe, Texas. The boy and his family decided to sell me so that I could live with other horses or donkeys. That’s when my mom, dad, brother and sister bought me. I have taught my mom Kim a lot about staying calm and relaxed…she says that I’m her best therapy when she’s feeling stressed. I don’t know what all of the fuss is about. It’s just my nature to be calm, patient and loving. I enjoy being around people and will stand for hours to be petted, hugged or brushed. I was invited to visit the Georgetown Library last December and even got to come inside. Everyone was impressed because I was so relaxed. They even gave me my own library card! My mom has also been teaching me some games. I like playing soccer the best. I am so happy that Minis and Friends let me join their team. Rocky is my pal and I’m going to enjoy going on visits with him and all of the other minis.”
MasterCard — “Hey there pardner! Whasssup? I’m Mastercard, and I’m a tough lil’ bruiser. But don’t let that fool you — I’ve got softy heart, and I love to work. Parades are fun, too, ’cause SeanMonet and I can really show off. Lots of kids pile around us, and I feel pretty puffed up. I used to brag there wasn’t a fence in Texas that could keep ‘ole MC cooped up! I could squeeze under and through anything. That is, till they put up that darned ‘ole fence that bites! Dangit. Dagnabbit. But I still like being in the Three Amigos (that’s me, Mastercard, SeanMonet and Buckshot) at Onion Creek Ranch. I mean, it could be a lot worse, you know? In the meantime, hang in there, amigo, we’re all in this together. I’m a part of Little America Miniatures Horses of Buda, TX, and my registered name is Little America Cowboy MasterCard. I’m a golden palomino, and my pretty coat colors are coming in more and more every summer! My birthday is July 2 and, I’ll be 4 years old! Don’t forget the presents! Right now, I’m 29.5″ tall. I love to meet both kids and adults, but kids who need special attention draw my attention the most!”
Rocky – Hi, I’m Rocky. I’m from Round Rock. My mom isn’t sure how old I am because I came from an auction and my original papers just said that I was an “adult.” She thinks I am a Class B Miniature Horse because of my size. At 38 inches tall, I am one of the largest miniatures around. My mom Kim Sullivan thinks that I must have had some very rough treatment before I went to the auction. At first, I was so afraid of humans that I would run away and try to hide my face in the corner of my pen when my mom tried to put a halter on me. I didn’t get along with any of my new pasture friends, either, and would kick and bite them when I got the chance. My mom had a lot of faith in me and continued to work to gain my trust. My pal Lewis (see above) must have had a lot of faith in me, too, because he chewed a hole in my wooden pen and helped me to escape into the big pasture with him and the rest of the ponies! Now I get along with all of my new “brothers” and “sisters.” I am even a little on the heavy side because my full size horse buddy shares his food with me when my mom isn’t looking.
As my first year in my new home went by, I slowly realized that I didn’t need to be afraid of people any more. My mom noticed that I was especially drawn to children and to people with special needs. I still don’t like for my mom to touch my ears, but I have been known to stand still and let little children pet them all they wanted! I enjoy getting out and meeting new people. especially when they brush and pet me. I also like it when they give me treats like apples, Cheerios cereal and peppermints. If they try to give me a carrot, I just let it fall out of my mouth, though!
SeanMonet — “Hello. I’m SeanMonet. Like the painter, I’m an impressionist. I’m a little underspoken, too, so I don’t have a lot to say here. I am quiet and reserved. Some of the folks we meet say I’m cute, but, boy, that really makes me blush. When I first came to Onion Creek Ranch, it was hard for me to be around anyone, but now I love all the kids and peope we meet. I really don’t want any trouble. Oh, and if you want to be my friend, just bring those little baby carrots. Boy, those bring me out of my shell! My roots are from Bettes Acres Miniature Horse of Mountain City, and my registered name is Bettes Acres Poncho Villa. Well, I didn’t like that name very much. I wanted one fancier like my buddy MasterCard! And SeanMonet stuck. I am not really an Irish French horse, but I like to pretend I am. I was trained to do local horse shows and parades before I met my owners, Sally and Gil. They’re both really cool! I’m 30″ and just turned 4 years old on April 27. I’ve got a black coat with an ambidextrous mane. Both my mane and tail turn reddish black in the summer, so I have the best parts of both my parents. I’m pretty calm and like working with seniors the most, but kids are pretty awesome, too!”
