It is often difficult to find the special equine athlete required to compete in the challenging sport of distance riding.

Few breeding operations focus solely on trail and distance horses. Due to Mike's profession in the horse industry, we were lucky enough to find top quality horses. However, many had not been bred for the specific requirements of the sport of endurance racing and competitive trail riding.

In 1995, we began breeding our top trail horses. Along with breeding Arabians, known for their incredible stamina and beauty, we were interested in cross breeding Arabians and Morgans, a breed known as the Morab. We have found that this cross breeding program produces a versatile, strong, competitive, sound, gentle, trainable, smart, friendly horse with a lot of endurance. The Arabian blood is essential for optimum cardiac and respiratory recoveries (required for performance events), beauty and speed and the Morgan blood adds bone, size and level-headedness.

In selecting mates, we evaluate confirmation, bloodlines, performance records, and temperament. After finding the best match, no expense is spared on ensuring the health and viability of the mare and foal. All mares are ultra sounded for fetal health and given special attention to vaccinations, worming and proper nutrition throughout the pregnancy. In an effort to keep life as natural as possible, all of our horses live "outside" with friendly pasture mates, access to shelter and the freedom to be a horse.

As foaling approaches, the mares are brought into the barn at night and monitored. We always try to be with the mare as she foals. We imprint-train (process of exposing foals to human contact) all of our foals at birth. The vet comes the next morning to give the mare and foal a checkup. As soon as they are ready, they are reintroduced to their herd.

All of our young horses are handled each day, often at feeding time. We believe training starts from birth, not when the saddle, bridle and rider are introduced. At first we focus on doing things the foal enjoys, like scratching, petting and walking together, so he or she develops a bond with people. This early work is positive and sets the foundations for a lifetime companion. Discipline is also combined with this positive attention, and bad or aggressive habits like kicking or biting are not permitted. Mutual respect and trust is best learned at an early age rather when the horse weighs 1,000 lbs. Horses are social animals and accept humans as part of their herd. However, it is essential that the human's rank is alpha. This is not established by domination but respect.

Our breeding program is based on a love and respect of our horses. We are not interested in mass production of foals. In order for us to give each youngster adequate handling and attention, we only breed a few foals each year. You can be certain that each Aerohill horse has had the best care and training possible.

 

Mike and Liz Krens
PO Box 2653, Purcellville, VA 20134
540-668-7243
info@aerohillfarm.com