RicelandMeadows

May, 21, 2025

This is our boy Hank. I took this picture on the day we brought him home in January of 2020. I saw promise in him. I had been a “Percheron guy” for over thirty years, but this young man started me on my Suffolk journey. I want to give God the glory and credit for this road that we are on. I could not see it. I was not looking for it…and yet here we are!

Five years later, there is not a Percheron on the farm. That breed will always hold a special place for me, but I don’t like the narrow chested, long legged, high headed horse that the Percheron has become. The “old style” ones are hard to find. The hitch design may be just right for some, but they are not for me.

I like a wide, strong horse with a great mind and plenty of heart. I like them around 16 hands, thick, easy to harness, and willing to work. I have found the qualities that I love in these Suffolk horses. There is no “going back” for me. I will make it my life’s work to breed quality horses and promote them, based upon their merit, to everyone I meet.

A pair of mares followed the young Hank to the farm. I was able to lease a Suffolk stallion the first 2 years of this venture. Breeding to the outside stallion, gave us two more fillies that would eventually become part of our broodmare line up for Hank. Once again, God working in my life and our breeding program. The mare could have just as easily had 2 little boys in those two early years.

Hank and our Abby made a baby when Hank was just two. Unfortunately, Abby aborted that foal. She got into some old corn that the pigs hadn’t cleaned up. The toxins in the bad corn built up quickly in the foal and it was aborted, ten weeks early. That was a sad day on the farm where the farmer questions his ability, knowledge and husbandry practices. Abby retained her placenta and a whole new learning took place! Many times, retained placenta is fatal to a horse. Abby recovered, never had a fever, never went off feed and was sound to breed back a couple months later. Again, it wasn’t me or my efforts, it was God watching over my shoulder.

Hank is the anchor of our breeding program. He is a good guy. My experience with stallions and breeding was very limited. Hank and I learned together. I mean he knew what to do and I learned how to accommodate the process and keep everyone safe…including myself.

This has been and continues to be an amazing journey, as we help to increase the numbers of this rare breed of horse. A horse bred for the furrow and work. The only draft horse bred for farm work and not war. Over four centuries of breeding by like minded men and women to keep this wonderful horse, “un-fooled around with”. They are tough, powerful, loving horses with substance and heart. They have one of the best brains among all the breeds. Over 400 years of breeding to keep the flight reflex at bay, gives them much less “flash” in the carriage, but makes them safe and wonderful to be around.

This guy right here has come a long way, but what a stud!

I am so very glad that I owned this breed last, otherwise I would not have known just what a gem they are. Thanks be to God for all He has done for me and hats off to the breeders from over 4 centuries who worked to keep this breed pure. I too, will follow in your footsteps.