816-LancMter Farming, Saturday, December 14, 1996 f <• •>.* j«A> ,*& >•* 0 '* David drives his way to a national youth championship award at the national show In Columbia, Missouri. Miniature Horses Bring Family Pleasure (Continued from Page B 15) Silver was declared the top of 54 best miniature horses in the country, each of which were the cream of four regions of the country. “And, it was our first year at Nationals,” Ann laughs. “Every one wondered where we came from." A trophy room in a comer of the Whitfields’ spotlessly clean bam adds to the tale of success as does an array of ribbons surrounding the sleeping quarters of the horse trailer. “There arc people who have been showing for 20 years and still have not won a ribbon,” Ann continues. Ann teaches school while Russ runs his own plastics business, but summer weekends revolve around the horses. “We’re off to a show every two or three weeks,” Ann says. “It keeps us busy, but we love it We especially enjoy it because it is an excellent family activity.” There are two sizes of miniature horses. Those 34 inches and under are an A while those 34 to 38” are a B. “If they are more than 38” they are ponies,” Russ explains. “Having worked with horses for so many years, I can say I am extremely pleased to have these miniatures,” Ann adds. “They take a lot less feed and a lot less space.” “We give them a bale of hay a week and a little grain. They take very little maintenance. If you treat them right they will stay very healthy. They might be a little more prone to respiratory infec tions, but those are treatable.” Miniatures do not wear shoes, but the Whitfield horses’ hooves are trimmed by Jeff Holt, a farrier from Frostburg. The cleanliness of the bam is aided with Russ’ fiberglass abili ties. Stalls are constructed of fiberglass and stainless steel while wood paneling gives the bam a homey touch. Balls hand on strings into the stalls to keep the horses contented during the day. ‘They arc so affectionate and they get bored when no one is home all day,” Ann says. “We have also found them easier to train than standard <* * * > i •*,. horses. They are small and can be easily intimidated.” To prove a point, Russ brings a gorgeous Palomino out of the stall. “He was completely wild when we found him on a farm in North Carolina,” Russ says. “But, with just a little work, he’s doing great We liked the way he trotted and that’s why we bought him.” Russ and Ann have no desire to Russ and his prize palomino. Next year he’ll compete against Ann in competitions. V get into breeding. “We’re only in it for the shows,” Ann says. “We’ve reached the limit space wise with the horses we have now and would like to sell a couple of them.” “As long as we have the energy and the desire, we’ll be in that show ring every couple of weeks chalking up a lot of good memo ries,” says Ann. SEE YOUR NEARES DEALER FOR DEPENDABLE EQUIPMENT & SERVICE PENNSYLVANIA MESSICK EQUIPMENT RD 1, Box 255 A 717-259-6617 Annvllle. PA BHM Farm Equipment, Inc. RD 1, Rte. 934 717-867-2211 Carlisle. PA R&W Equipment Co. 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 Messick Farm Equipment, Inc. Rt. 283 - Rheem’s Exit 717-367-1319 Halifax. PA Sweigard Bros. R.D. 3, Box 13 717-896-3414 Norman D. Clark & Son, Inc. Honey Grove, PA 717-734-3682 Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 I MARYLAND Vi*.,... =L - V , Ceresville Ford New Holland, In Rt. 26 East 301-662-4197 Outside MD, 800-331-9122 BridflOten. NJ Washington. NJ Leslie G. Fogg, Smith Tractoi Inc. Equip., Inc. Canton & Stow Creek 15 Hillcrest Ave. Landing Rd. 908-689-7900 609-451-2727 609-935-5145 . kwhoumo T Dependable Motor Co. East Main Street 215-273-3131 215-273-3737 A.B.C. Groff, lm 110 South Railroa 717-354-4191 Olev. PA C.J. Wonsidl Bros. R.D. 2 610-987-6257 Pitman. PA Schreffler Equipment Pitman, PA 717-648-1120 Tamaaua. PA Charles S. Snyder, Inc. R.D. 3 717-386-5945 S.G.Lewis & Son, Inc. 352 N. Jennersville 610-869-2214 1-800-869-9029 Owen Supply Broad Street & East Avenue 609-769-0308
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers