Carla DuRand and 2020 colt Iggy at Color Your Dream Farm, Gettysburg, PA. Credit Lois Szymanski
Who says you can’t switch horses in mid-stream? Carla DuRand proves that’s not only possible, but it can also be a lot of fun.
Carla purchased an old goat farm in Gettysburg, PA in November 1997. She and her two paint mares moved in, naming the farm Color Your Dream. Not long after, her mom, Linda Palmer bought Carla the stud she had always dreamed of and Zip’s Super Cowboy came home. After 11 years of running a successful breeding and showing program and with the ribbons piling up, the pair then stepped into a whole new venture, bringing two miniature horse yearlings home from Ohio in 2008. Now, Coolest Miniatures is a tiny division of Color Your Dream Farm – but the impact the minis make is not so tiny. With over 20 miniature horses and Shetland Ponies onboard, Carla runs the farm while her mom keeps the books.
Lea Ann Kimble said she has known Carla since before she bought Cowboy.
“We first met during a horse training class at Penn State University and we have been friends ever since,” she said. “I have to give Carla all the credit for getting me into showing at breed shows. Carla helped me find my first quarter horse mare [and] through the years Carla always pushed me to be better. When she was looking for a stud to stand, she went to Texas to look at Zips Super Cowboy. While she was there, I got a call. Carla was so excited. She said she was buying the stallion and also my next show horse. She sent me a picture. My first comment was he has a big head. She said, ‘Don't worry he will grow into it. He is really special.”
Kimble said Carla knows her stuff. That horse - Gold Credentials - did grow into his head.
“Over the years, he amassed a great record in PHBA and AQHA. We have several PHBA World and Reserve World Titles, and a lot of PHBA National Year-End titles in Open, Amateur and Youth divisions.”
He was the first of a line of Zips Super Cowboy foals that Kimble said she has had the opportunity to work with.
Kimble spoke of the farm’s breeding program.
“Carla always wanted to breed pretty horses who can move, and she is doing that.”
Whether it is Quarter Horses or minis, Carla likes a good looking horse with good conformation and a working brain. She said the first thing she tells people new to miniature horses is that they must remember, they are still horses.
“Don’t treat them like your puppy dog,” she said.
As we walked through a large upper pasture, a small herd of miniature horses followed Carla. A black pinto mare nudged her while foals raced past, bucking and kicking. On the other side of the fence, a stunning bay stallion called out.
“That’s Icon,” she said. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”
At Last Sugar E Icon is her first Shetland Pony stud. Bred by Teri Silva of At Last Miniature Horses and Shetlands, the stud has already proved himself in the show ring - named the AMHR National Champion 2-year-old Halter Stallion in 2017 and placing 3rd out of 52 yearling stallions at the 2016 AMHR Nationals.
Surrounded by miniature horses, Carla spoke of the many things that minis are used for. They can be therapy animals or fill the void as equine companions for those who have lost the ability to handle full-sized horses. They compete in shows, including halter classes, driving, in-hand trail, and in-hand jumping for miniature horses that are three-year old and over.
Jahnel Warner’s family decided they wanted minis after attending a miniature horse show with their 4-H leader. They had already purchased two Quarter Horses from Carla and it didn’t take them long to add three miniature horses to their herd, all three from Coolest Miniatures.
“We were impressed to learn how much you could do with miniature horses,” Warner said. “Jumping, pole bending, barrel racing, trail, costume and trick classes. Once you spend time with a mini horse you see how adorable and loving they are.”
Warner said they wanted miniature horses for showing in 4-H.
“Carla is very helpful in making the perfect match for the kind of showing you [want to] do,” Warner said. “Her minis are bred for quality conformation and good temperament and they are bred from great bloodlines. Both of our daughters, Lacey and Ashley, learned so much showing them through 4-H… an experience that has led to college scholarships.”
The Warner girls showed their “Coolest Miniatures” in 4-H Round-Up, qualified for 4-H district competitions, and then qualified for the 4-H State Horse Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
“They also worked hard using the minis as project animals for competing in the 4-H Junior Horse Championship Show in Centre Hall, PA,” Warner said. “We have taken the minis to parades, fairs, clinics, and trail challenges and we continue to show our mini horses even now that my children have grown into adults. Mini horses are not just for kids to enjoy. Mini horses are for all ages young and old.”
Carla’s horse education began at Penn State University. She served many years as the leader of Frederick Blazing Saddles 4-H Horse Club in Middletown, MD, and then as a coach of the 4-H Horse Judging Team. She’s a current board member of the Mason Dixon Miniature Horse Association. In between all that, she still finds time to show her horses.
Over the years, Carla has gained a following in the miniature horse world. Now she is making waves with her Shetland Ponies.
“At first we had a lot of pet inquiries,” Carla said of the business. “But I won’t sell a backyard pony. Horses are supposed to be horses. Over the years, people have noticed what we are breeding and the inquiries have changed. When someone comes to me, I ask them what they are specifically wanting to do with it. Do they want a performance horse, or driving? There are different styles of driving, too. I ask a lot of questions. Do they want AMHA [American Miniature Horse Association – which goes up to 34”], or AMHR [American Miniature Horse Registry – which goes up to 38”], or do they want a Shetland? And I tell them they should never have just one. Horses are herd animals. If they are new to showing, I then suggest they come to our miniature horse club – Mason Dixon Miniature Horse Association.”
Kimble said Carla works hard to make sure the horses she sells are finding the correct home.
“I have known her for almost 30 years, and it is amazing to see the program she has built,” Kimble said. “She is supportive and always takes the time to follow up with the people who purchase or breed with her.”
I asked Carla about genetic issues.
“The studs can be slow to drop, so you need to check testicles. They can also have locking stifle and other genetic limb issues. But mostly, I recommend NOT breeding, unless you are an expert. Miniature horses can have huge issues foaling out, and it is not about size. It could be your 38” mare or your 30” mare. They are not easy to foal out. Another issue is dwarfism,” she added.
Coolest Miniatures takes advantage of testing to make sure the mares and stallions are free of genetic disorders. DNA testing can find mutations of the aggrecan gene (ACAN) that is associated with dwarfism in minis. Testing is important because minis without the apparent physical characteristics of dwarfism can still carry the gene.
Despite their minimal diet, Carla said she doesn’t see much colic in the minis. She noted that they don’t eat a lot and are easy to keep. She said her focus continues to be on conformation, and that’s something that her customers notice. It’s what drew Warner to Coolest Miniatures. She credits Carla with helping her family fall in love with tiny horses.
“I recommend miniature horses to horse lovers because they are a lot of fun,” Warner said. “They are easier to take care of, inexpensive, and can do so many thing big horses can do. They are a great option for people who can’t ride anymore, like people with disabilities or people who are frightened to ride the bigger horses. There is so much love in a miniature horse and it makes everyone smile everywhere you go with them.”
Visit them online at coloryourdreamfarm.com.