Minis and Friends

Meet the Minis!

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!

 

Also visit our "Changing Times" page to honor minis in earlier years.

 

 

Bravo -- Hi, I'm Bravo. I am a paint gelding and I am now a part of the Montoya Clan and we are the new Three Amigos of Minis and Friends. My pals Rocky and Rudy are my mini brothers and we live with Sherry and Paul Montoya who we are spoiled by and just love that we are there. . I am still on the shy side, but I love to work on weekends and visit with all the kids and people that need our help - bringing smiles to those we meet. As you can see by my photo - I love to jump - don't I look like a Trojan horse with my mane flowing this way? My favorite visit places are the Austin Children's Shelter & Helping Hand Home - I love working with those kids!

 

 

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

 

Diego -- Hi, I'm Diego. I'm one of the new 2010 miniature horses in Minis and Friends. My mom Loretta bought me from a lady in Bastrop that had me there to keep her big horse a companion. But Loretta found me and thought I would make the perfect therapy mini. I am 33" tall and 3 years old. I live at Sacred Stone Ranch with MasterCard and SeanMonet during the weekdays in the Infinity Run. My mom is going to teach me to walk up a ramp so that I can go home with her on weekends, like MasterCard and SeanMonet do. I love working with the children and youth and can't wait to show those kids how to walk with me over the Horse Agility course that is being worked on when we visit with At-Risk Youth. More coming soon!

 

 

 

Jax - Hi, I'm Jax. I'm a new 2010 mini of Minis and Friends. I am 3 years old and was trained as a show and light therapy mini in East Texas by a family there. My new mom Gina lives in Cedar Creek and brought me home to live at her ranch with my new bro Sequoia who is in training to be a full therapy mini with Minis and Friends too. When my winter hair sheds out - you will see I am different horse - like MasterCard who is really a dapple golden palomino. And I - I am really a gray appaloosa. I bet you can't wait to see my late spring pictures so watch this site to see the real me!

 

 

 

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!"

 

Koda - "I'm Koda. I'm one of Gina's minis and my bros are Jax and Sequoia. I was adopted in March from a nice lady named Leslie. Gina took me right away to see the equine dentists at Texas A&M to fix my bad tooth. I had a huge hole in the top of my jaw near my sinuses from this rotten tooth. The equine dentists there fixed me all up -- and then my true personality shone through! I am realllll laid back and easy to work with. I am a class B miniature horse about 35" and am 5 years old. I play well with my new bros Jax and Sequoia (who is still in training) and I debuted at the Helping Hand Home visit on June 12. I was the STAR! Thank you Mom Gina for showing me where I really need to be - that is bring indescribable smiles to those we meet and bring unconditional love to in the greater Austin metro area and soon to Bastrop.

 

 

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 -- I'm Mastercard and I'm the alpha one of the bunch. Don't let my bossiness 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! We live during the week at Sacred Stone Ranch when we are not at our parents home in SW Austin and dang it all - they have electric fence too! But now we have an entire "Infinity Run" to ourselves, so we don't have to dodge big horses and we have a new friend named Camden who visits us daily and runs and plays with us. I'm a former 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 6 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!" I love working with the kids we meet at Austin Children's Shelter and Helping Hand Home. They are so special.

 

 

Rocky- Hi, My name is Rocky.. I live in Austin. My Mom says I am a rock star and the moment she saw me, I lassoed her heart with my charm and 32" of good looks.. I lived in Lytton Falls ,with a sweet old farmer named, Mr. Freed, when my new parents, Paul and Sherry came along and saw me being totally bossed around by a ten month old Miniature Donkey. They told me I needed to be with my own kind, which is how I became a part of Minis and Friends. I had quite The reputation, for being a stud, and I  knew how to treat the ladies. But my new Mom said, I had to be gelded, which turned out to be a really good thing. I'm still quite the looker, and I am much happier. I currently live at Rancho Montoya with my parents Sherry and Paul at their home. They found my new brother Rudy and brought him home and invited Bravo to come over and hang with me for awhile and now we are the three Amigos - we are the best of pals, we play together for hours every day. But when push comes to shove at the Hay bale, I always say, "Can't we all just get along?"

 

Rocky -- Hi, I'm Rocky too. . 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!

 

 

Rudy-- I'm Rocky's and Bravo's brother at Rancho Montoya.. My mom and dad are Sherry and Paul Montoya and they rescued me in October 2009 from a friend of Sally's who inherited little guys like me - but he wasn't a horse guy. So he told my mom's friend Sally about me and voila! I am now a Minis and Friends therapy miniature horse and I've been told I am a natural! I love the kids we visit at the shelters and facilities and am my dad's Paul little buddy! Now I get groomed all day, fed munchies treats from mom Sherry and get to run and play with Rocky and Bravo. Sometimes, we have a sleep-over at Sacred Stone Ranch and we get to run and play with our buddies MasterCard and, SeanMonet. More about me coming soon - so stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

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 started working with Minis and Friends, it was hard for me to be around anyone for a very long time, but now I love all the kids and people 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! I live with my brother MasterCard during the week at Sacred Stone Ranch where we have our own "mini manor" - it's really something - a long run with circles on either end to run and play. And it has real grass! 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 turned 6 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 the children the most, but seniors are pretty awesome, too!"

 

Sequoia - Hi, I'm Sequoia. I'm still in training but recently was a star for a PSA announcement with George Strait - "Don't Mess with Texas". My mom Gina is so proud of me - I did really great and that confirms that I am just about ready to start visiting to with my new bro Jax - the little guy is 3 years old and I am a 12 year old gelding now. I was rescued in November 2009 by Gina in Cedar Creek and gelded so I could work eventually with Minis and Friends. I was severly underweight and had very long hooves but Gina took care of all my problems and moved me to her ranch in Cedar Creek in January 2010. I now have 1:1 care and lots of loving and look it where it has got me - a movie mini! Yeehaw!

 

 

 

 

Tator Tot - Hi, I’m Tator Tot.  I am a class A miniature horse- I stand at 30 inches tall.  I am a 3 year old black and white paint gelding.   I stole my mom's heart from the first time she saw me.  I can be very charming that way.  I love hay but I really love carrots, my mom spoils me with these treats.  My mom bought me from a family in Dripping Springs. They didn’t have time for me so I’m so happy to be with my new mom.  My new mom name is Donna, she is training me and loving me so much.   We are a great team.  I am boarded at Hidden Creek Ranch in Cedar Park, they have big horses there but I hope to get some of my new mini friends to join me soon.  I am the youngest of the minis but I am learning from my new mini friends.  I love the visits that I have been on so far and I am looking forward to meeting more and more children and people with special needs.   So get ready to be charmed because that just what I do

 

 

Tiny Tim -- Hi, I'm Tiny Tim. I'm the newest mini-donkey with Minis and Friends and currently in training to go work with my pal Tator Tot and his friends in Minis and Friends. My mom is Donna and Doug and we live at Hidden Creek Ranch in Cedar Park. Hidden Creek Ranch just became the Williamson County HQ and I've been told on the best of authority - that they have room for 2 more working minis! So email my mom so she can get you all the right information if you are a Minis and Friends volunteer!