By Danielle Nyland
It all started with a love for horses. As a child growing up on the family farm, Ruby Kirk spent a lot of time around them. She owned a few ponies and a horse. But after she went to college and began her career, she was unable to have horses around her. But her love for them was still strong.
After purchasing a farm on the outskirts of Carmichaels in 2006, she began considering a crop for her farm that could be easily managed by one person – herself. She thought back to her love of horses and eventually came to the decision that she would begin breeding miniature horses. “I’ve always loved horses and these little ones are so easy to care for and manage,” Ruby shares. “It was a perfect choice.”
The business started in 2007 and was named Opal Woods Farm, after her first miniature horse foal. “The foal was born in the woods behind the house and she was the color of an opal,” Ruby says.
For more than a decade, tiny miniature foals have dotted the farm during the foaling season. Approximately 12 to 15 babies are born on the farm each year and most of these will find new homes with owners across all fifty states, even as far as Alaska. Ruby will sometimes retain some foals to keep as future broodmares, like the three that she kept last year. “Several of my best broodmares are horses I’ve retained from birth,” she shares.
The foals, chosen through genetic testing, then join the two stallions and approximately 30 broodmares at Opal Woods. Because Ruby breeds Appaloosas, the genetic testing is used to reveal potential for color and pattern, overall look, and temperament.
Other than a foal Ruby may choose to keep, each year Ruby usually sells all the foals born during birthing season. She also has broodmares for sale throughout the year. Clients can visit the farm to meet their babies, but many choose to purchase online and hire a professional equine shipper to pick up and deliver their baby after weaning.
Prior to purchase, Ruby makes sure that all potential owners understand care needs. Miniature horses are very easy to care for, as compared to other horses. They require much of the same care as regular horses – farrier visits, vet visits, etc. but their feed and space needs are smaller.
Miniature horses are known to be affectionate, intuitive and kind, as well as very smart. “Miniature horses have found quite a niche as therapy animals, which is a testament to their kindly, yet stable, non-reactive personalities,” Ruby says. “Miniature horses are also used for show, breeding, driving and, of course, as pets.”
“The social interaction and the relationships of the horses with me and themselves are so special to me. These horses have an amazing complex social structure, each horse is special to its own community and special to me,” shares Ruby. “I could pick five or six that are particularly important to me, but in all honesty, they are all loved.”
To see some of Ruby’s beautiful miniature appaloosa’s you can visit Opal Woods Facebook page @rbykrk or their website opalwoodsfarm.com.