Braycrest Acres is a real donkey and mule farm near my home. Below are some of the residents of this charming little farm, including my own horse, Charwood Tahira (say ty-RA') or simply "Tai" (Ty).
This is my very own
Charwood Tahira, a chestnut 3/4 Arabian 1/4 Quarter Horse Gelding.
In this picture, Tai is 15 years old (August 1992), but don't tell
him that! He still thinks he is about 3; he definitely has the
speed and stamina to be! Tai is the one of only two horses at Braycrest Acres, and was the best friend of Sir Joshua, a 14.2 hand Tennessee Walker
mule until Josh was sold in the summer of 1997.
Sir Joshua,
a bay mule. Josh is one year older than Tai, so he will be 22 this year.
In this photo, Josh is coon-jumping at age 16. Josh is half-Tennessee
Walker and half-Donkey (as all mules are). Coon-jumping is a special class
for donkeys and mules. The animal jumps the obstacle from a stand-still and
whoever jumps the highest wins. On the right, Josh is sipping iced tea at a show
in Bath, NY.
What a character! Josh left (July 1997) Braycrest Acres
to return to his original owner who trained him. He is missed by all of us, especially by Tai.
Nicodemus (born in
spring of 1994), a gray donkey gelding, with his mother (Rebecca)
behind him. This picture was taken in October of 1995. Braycrest
Acres sold Nico in May of 1997, along with his younger brother (Amigo, a jack)
who looks just like him!
Sammy (born August 26, 1995), a brown donkey jack. Sammy is half-brother to Nicodemus and is for sale. This photo was also taken in October of 1995.
Amigo (born May 11, 1996),
a gray donkey jack, with his mother, Rebecca, a gray donkey jennet. This picture
was taken in May of 1996. Amigo is the son of Paco and full brother
to Nico. Amigo was sold with his brother Nico in early May 1997.
Paco, a small standard gray
donkey jack and father to three of the donkeys shown on this page. This photo
was taken in February of 1993. Therefore, this is Paco's winter coat.
Flag, an Appaloosa
leopard mule with the typical "skewed" spots. Flag is not owned by Braycrest Acres,
but we see him at many shows. Flag LOVES to jump and has such personality. I remember
one day passing where he was tied to his trailer-- with a big western saddle hanging
from his belly. Apparently, the girth had not been tightened completely, but Flag
didn't mind one bit and continued munching his hay.
So, you thought donkeys
came in just gray did you? Well, as you can see Sammy above is brown, but check out this
little fellow! Calypso, a jack, was born at Braycrest Acres in 1992 to Rebecca. His father, Lucky
Chips, was also born here and had similar coloring. Both have since been sold. Notice how
"pinto" on donkeys tends to have much color along the topline. On donkeys, this pattern is
simply called "spotted".
Isaill More Joy,
or Sail for short. Sail, a 21 year old liver chestnut Morgan mare, came to Bray
Crest Acres on March 1, 1997. When Joshua left, Sail became Tai's favorite buddy.
Tai and Sail frequently go grazing together. Due to an unusual and unknown injury,
Sail became lame in the hind legs. Originally thought to be a bowed tendon, it was
unlikely that she could be ridden again. In the summer of 1997, Sail began trotting and then
cantering in the pasture. A bowed tendon? Doesn't sound like it to me. She is
currently slowly being brought back into condition and can be ridden again with the aid of special shoes and sports medicine boots.
We still do not know what happened to cause her to go suddenly lame and be in obvious
pain (she even lost weight). For now, she's a happy horse enjoying a leisurely life
since her injury.
Back HOME
Intro to Pedigree Assignment
Intro to Racing
Braycrest Acres
Live Show FAQ
Tips for Happier Judges
Creating Your Own Page
Sources for Identifying
How Much is my Model Worth?
Model Horse Publications
The Beloved Haynet
Tack References
Looking For...
Comments Form
Gus's Page