Introduction References & Testimonials

Introduction

Welcome and thank you for taking time to visit my website, Dakota Winds Farm Miniatures of Meaford, Ontario, Canada. My name is Carolyn Aarup and I have been involved with horses since the age of 7. I grew up riding English and Western and as a teenager, streamlined into the English Hunter circuit for the later part of my showing career. I have been an avid horse enthusiast all my life but only discovered Miniature horses later in my equine career.

I entered into the wonderful world of Miniature horses with the purchase of my first Miniature Horse, "Binger" (Soats Lil Golden Future), a palomino gelding. We originally purchased Binger for my young children to get accustomed to horses on a smaller scale. However, once we started driving Binger, I was hooked on Minis!

After much research into the breed, I decided that this was the type of horse I wanted to breed and train. I am now an active member of the MHCO (Miniature Horse Club of Ontario), Meaford & St Vincent Agricultural Society, AMHA and AMHR (American Miniature Horse Association and American Miniature Horse Registry) and the OEF (Ontario Equestrian Federation). I am also proud to be the originator of the Open Miniature Horse Show which I started in 2003, held annually at the Meaford & St. Vincent Fall Fair. http://www.meaford.com/town/evnt_horseshow_miniature.html

Over the past few years, I'm honoured to have had the opportunity to give informative talks on the Miniature horse breed at public events such as the Meaford International Plowing Match, Meaford Renaissance Festival and Halton Place as well as MHCO events and other public equine events such as the Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week Horse Day (Elmwood). I have also written articles on Miniature horses and Miniature Horse Events for such publications as OEF Whoa!, Pets & Animals, Miniature World Showcase magazine, Horse Talk magazine, AMHR The Journal, AMHA Miniature Horse World, The Rider as well as various newspapers (Meaford Express, Owen Sound Sun Times, Hanover Post) and websites (MHCO, Lil Beginnings).

My husband Ken and I, together with our two daughters, Heather and Natalie, share the responsibilities at Dakota Winds Farm. Heather and Natalie accompany me on regular therapeutic visits with our Minis to local Nursing Homes and schools and participate in such parades as the Meaford Scarecrow Invasion, Canada Day and Christmas parades in Meaford, Owen Sound and Holstein. I have shown successfully at both the Local and National level with my Miniature horses. Heather shows extensively with me in a variety of classes throughout the Ontario show circuit while Natalie prefers just showing at a few of the local fairs in the costume and line classes. Ken is the wonderful husband I need: giving me moral support during foaling and showing season, designing and making costumes for the horses, maintaining our farm in general. He especially enjoys the miracle of birth each spring and spending time with the foals after they are born.

Farm namesake Dakota & Heather

I open my farm up to visitors on a regular basis to "Enjoy a Miniature Moment". I currently own a small herd of approximately 10 Registered Miniature Horses (with usually a few foals expected to arrive each spring ... look for the pink or blue balloons tied along the front fence line!), two large riding horses (Dakota & Katie) and Harley the donkey. I welcome anyone to come and talk Mini with me and to "enjoy a Miniature Moment"! ********************************** I believe the best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a Registered Miniature horse is to purchase from a responsible breeder. It is my philosophy as a responsible breeder to keep my herd small so I can devote individual attention and training to each and every horse at Dakota Winds Farm. I strive to breed excellent quality Registered Miniature horses with exceptional temperaments. Since I only offer a few horses for sale each year, I am able to give my clients excellent customer service and the personal attention they deserve. **********************************

Dakota Winds Farm References & Testimonials Doug & Caroline Savage (905) 936-6873 savagemoorfarm@hotmail.com Angela & Dennis Merner (519) 482-3702 amerner@tcc.on.ca   "Just a note to thank you for taking some of your precious day to let us spend time with your wonderful Miniatures. I haven't seen either of my grandchildren so thrilled for a long time and still talking about them when they went home." Sandra Perry

The "Mother & Daughter" team of Dakota Winds Farm

If you’re interested in learning about Miniature horses – what to look for, how to train them, and how to care for them – then Dakota Winds farm is the place for you. Carolyn Aarup has spent considerable hours helping us find, train and care for our “Tucker”. She is extremely professional and her warm, kind hearted manner shines through in everything she does. We are delighted to have Carolyn as a trainer and a friend. Kelly & Mike Doherty Old Trafford Acres Proud owners of “Tucker” 519-538-2196   "Dear Carolyn: Just a brief but very sincere note of thanks for taking your time to show our grandchildren your Miniature Horses. I was expecting that they would simply be viewing them from behind the fence -- giving them "hands-on" viewing along with an information session was unexpected but very generous of you. It was a learning experience for all of us and very much appreciated. We wish you all the best and hope you will enjoy the photo enclosed." Marlene Bennett & family, Meaford "Just wanted to say a big thank you from the bottom of both our hearts for all you have done for us ... your little Sirocco, who won so much and asks so little, is a hero beyond expectations for putting up with the costumes we make him wear and for guiding Wendy to her wins in the Special Needs classes at the shows." Sandy Houston (519)370-2040 (Community Living Support Worker) and Wendy Murphy (Special Needs exhibitor) MHCO member, Wendy Murphy, proudly shows off her 1st place ribbon and Medallion after showing Sirocco in the Special Needs Obstacle Class at the 2005 Orangeville Fair.   "Thank you for coming to visit our residents with your Miniature Horses. I think what I found most moving was the way the horse seemed to sense <resident's name withheld for privacy> vulnerability and remember how Sirocco was gently leaning towards his legs ... <the resident> was so quiet and contented at that time. Thanks again" Mary Jane Elder, Owen Sound Lee Manor Long Term Care (519) 376-4420 Nicole showing Tansey at Chatsworth Fair 2006 "Tansey is doing well. A real pleasure to care for. She has a real personality." Nancy Ballaugh-Evans 519-794-4170 "I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the effort you put forth on behalf of my daughter and her friend in helping them get involved in Miniature Horses. You have proven to be a wonderful role model for my daughter, Lauren. Your enthusiasm connected the girls with Miniatures and has started a wonderful relationship with them." Catherine Cook (905) 841-6723 "On behalf of our local agricultural producers, I would like to thank you for speaking at Horse Adult Day of Grey Bruce Farmers' Week 2006. I found your presentation very informative and enjoyable and that sentiment was certainly echoed in the survey evaluations we received from the audience. Thank you once again for your contribution to the success of Grey Bruce Farmers Week. I look forward to possibly working with you again on future agricultural events." Sincerely, Ray Robertson, P.Ag., Co-ordinator Grey Bruce Farmers' Week (519) 986-3756 www.greyagservices.ca info@greyagservices.ca 2006 Grey Bruce Farmers Week - Horse Day Carolyn presents "Miniature Horses .... Enjoy a Miniature Moment" Ken, my "Technical Advisor" runs the Power Point presentation "Sincere thanks again this year for making our Seniors Fair wonderful. Your Mini horses & the children add such fun & make our residents smile. Thanks again." Holly Fiegehen, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Meaford Long Term Care Centre (519) 538-1010 activity@meafordlongtermcare.com www.meafordlongtermcare.com One of many local school visits "Dear Mrs. Aarup, Thank you for letting us visit your farm. We had so much fun. We liked feeding, petting, brushing the horses and holding the leash. They are all beautiful Minis. We liked seeing the baby horse and the "baby in the tummy" horse. We liked seeing the big horses too. Your friends at SKA & SKB" Senior Kindergarten classes from St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School, Meaford

All graphics, backgrounds, logos, photos**, and images on this website are the copyrighted purchased property of Dakota Winds Farm and is NOT to be borrowed, "snagged", re-made in it's likeness, distributed, or linked to without the express, SPECIFIC, WRITTEN permission by the authority of it's owner and copyright holder, Carolyn Aarup of Dakota Winds Farm.

** All photos used on the Dakota Winds Farm website were taken by Carolyn Aarup or her family members (unless otherwise stated via "Courtesy of ..." which credits the photographer).