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Show and the marketplace Working people r Wednesday ID June 17, 1987 The Cowdens pulling-tea- duet Snip and Snap nuzzle after a days work pulling a miniature wagon. m Little Horsin Around horses, that is. Bill and Sandy Cowden, 515 N. 3500 W., West Point, are in the unique business of raising horses that measure, 16 to at birth. To maintain their registration with the American Miniature Horse Association, the tiny horses must not grow taller than 34 inches. Cicero, official- ld . horses while waiting in the dentists office, she knew she was-in love. Bill knew he was in for some big spending. It took Sandy nearly six years to convince Bill that her dream was worth pursuing. She spent many hours reading everything she could find on the subject and corresponding with breeders of miniature horses around the country. Bill, in the meantime, was 21-inc- Nine-year-o- thinking of the project as some- -, thing to do after retirement. A retired military man, he is now working with civil service at Hill Air Force Base. Narrowing down her many contacts, a breeder out of Iowa, a Mr. C.M. Bond, who has since relocated to Lavonia, - Georgia, was selected. He was so easy to talk to and so generous with his time in writing and explaining the many facets of miniature horse breeding, and I was so full of questions! He sent descriptions and pictures and was extremely helpful, said Sandy. We got so excited that we couldnt wait for Bill to retire, so in January of 1986, while we ported as a bear being harbored by a resident in West Point William (Bill) and Sandy Lee, hence the name Willie Lees Minis, have always been into horses, but when Sandy saw an article on miniature The old adage a little horsin around takes on a different connotation when you drop around the stomping grounds of Willie Lees Minis. Miniature ly known as Bond Cicero C, stands at stud. He is all of 29 inches tall. Cicero is black and due to the thick coat that grows in the winter, he was once re- - - ' - were still living in Clearfield and negotiating for this place here in West Point, we took delivery of a package deal. Mr. Bond shipped us four miniature horses which we kept in our garage until we could find a good place to board them. The tiny horses now have a haven all their- own with immaculate stalls, several acres to romp in and an adoring audience which now includes the Cowdens granddaughters. Crys- tal and Kimberly Harbin, daughters of Dan and Julie Crouse of Sherman, Texas. The girls have come to spend the summer and get acquainted with these gentle creatures of whom their grandma is so fond. As early as 1765, these miniature horses were used in England and Northern Europe to pull ore carts in the coal mines. According to records in the International Miniature Horse Registry Directory, the royal courts of Europe bred the tiny horses as pets and playmates for the children of royalty. v It is believed that some of the animals were among shipments of other horses which made their way to the United States late in the 19th century. They were employed to work in the coal mines in Virginia. Because of their small size and great strength they were useful for working the smaller mine shafts. . f pf The miniatures are excellent pets and companions for children, senior citizens, and anyone without the stamina to e handle horses. They are rapidly gaining recognition as a source of stimulation and encouragement for full-siz- handicapped individuals be- cause of their affectionate, gentle nature. Our first foal has been promised to a child that is physically handicapped. His mother said that the doctor at the Mayo Clinic suggested that they get him a miniature horse, Sandy said. Because of their size and temperment, it would be an ideal project for him to be involved with. He could groom it from his wheelchair, she said. The horses in Cowdens herd have grown in number. There are now six. Feeding is no problem. The little horses eat about a bale of hay per month. This is supplemented with a small feeding of oats daily. They are easily trained to be saddle ridden by a young child and to pull a cart for children or adults. ' Photos by Rodney W. Wright Story by Arlene Hamblin CP Q s '' ; v, . 1 Ik ' U r $ (j . . - .1 ' f - If l- S ' ' ,1 - A' . ' , .iv M to ' 'V s . , ' ' ' ! . V- !''A ' x - - ' : , , . - ' , l Kimberly leaps off a toy rocking horse after her sister Crystal Harbin offers her the reins to Pixie (above). After , V ' VS , 1 x mounting the miniature horse (left) Crystal leads them out into open spaces. t 3,m fv- - . i'Nvf it fti' 1 x |