Our Four Legged Family Members

Teddy.  Aka:  Theodore, Ted

Our pride and joy.  He loves team roping, trail rides, ranch work and … eating.  He has been trained under the amazing Amanda Antifaev and Dustin Gonnet, he’s the boss man of the herd and no one misbehaves when Teddy is around.  We start all the colts with him as he is patient and teaches great habits.  Amara’s parents own his parents, so it has been really amazing to have such a stunner be home grown.

Major.  Aka Maje, Big Guy, Big Red

The reason for this business. This is Teddy’s full brother, and 13 years ago Amara’s mom sold him.  In 2015, we acquired him, totally untrained (like never had a saddle on, never was caught), and very fat.  We were skeptical on what we had brought home but after one month of ground work, he seemed to grasp what we were asking and has been our go to trail horse taking care of every rider like a gentleman.  Shawn has rode him miles bridle-less, kids and new riders are the first to be put on him … to say he has shocked us beyond belief is an understatement.  He is worth his weight in gold and we love him.

Fred.  Aka:  Freddy, Frederick, Mighty Mouse, Shithead (sorry people, it’s true).

He is little, he is mighty, and he has a personality that is twice the size of him.  He loves to play, annoy every other horse in the pasture,  trail riding,  jumping and water.   He’s our child.  He has more enthusiasm than probably any other horse around here.  He is one of Shawn’s heel horses and loves chasing cattle in the pasture or down the arena. He will be one of the first to greet you, and if you’re wearing anything soft or fuzzy, he will probably start rubbing his nose on it.

Johnny.  Aka. Johnboy, John John, Ding dong

Johnny has one of the most infectious personalities on the ranch.  He is just a youngster at 4, so he will be rode at the back with Amara this coming 2023 season to get used to the sites and sounds – but truthfully, he isn’t going to care, because he’s a social love bug who is ALWAYS in the way, ALWAYS up to no good and ALWAYS making us laugh.  He is going to be a fan favorite .. we already know it.  

Denny.  Aka:  Den, Den Den

This is Fred’s full brother.  We love brothers around here!  Denny is quite possibly polar opposite personality wise of his brother.  He is bigger, he is softer, he is sensitive and he likes to please.  He is an absolute sweetheart and we love this guy.   This guy, along with Teddy and Fred, is in Shawn’s roping arsenal and you will see both of us on his back throughout the season leading the trail rides.

Cheyanne.  Shy Shy, Blondie

She’s pretty and sweet, immediately winning Amara’s heart (when they win Amara’s heart, they are usually quiet), has had children ride on her back and has been rented out for a wedding – this girl knows when the camera is around.  She is expecting baby #2 in the spring of 2023 so she will be on mat leave for another season! 

Jesse.  Aka:  J Diz, J, Dizzy, The Dizness

If you are so lucky to ever meet this classy lady, you will know why we love her.  Amara received a message 8 years ago (from the same people who owned Major!), asking if she would like to take her off their hands.  After stating just a week before to Shawn that there were going to be NO MORE HORSES … she begged Shawn to have her.   She is kind, she is beyond sweet, she is intelligent and brave.  She gives every ounce of her being to be good.  She does NOT like to get in trouble, ever.   She is our Ya Ha Tinda princess (extreme trail riding is her jam!), crossing rivers, climbing mountains and leading the pack with zero hesitation.  She is a social butterfly and loves everyone.

Jack.  Aka.  Jackasaurus rex,  Jacky

Jack came to us at random  – which we feel is always our story with animals!   Shawn loves his browns with two white feet, and with a terrible photo on kijiji, we went on a ‘date’ to go check him out.  It was a no brainer – he was coming home with us.  He loves Shawn,  his friends, and his down time is  being on the trail with his buddies.  He spends his summers in the practice pen + competing at a few Team Roping Jackpots with Shawn.  We are so happy to give him a job and a home where he gets many, MANY pets per day!

Tucker.  Aka.  Tuck, TuckTuck, a few other rhyming words when he wants to be stubborn 😉 

Tucker is as slow as molasses on a winters day when it comes to doing his job.  If you’ve rode him, you’re usually hanging with Amara in the far depths of the line up not enjoying time with your family riding on Tucker Time.  SO if you don’t like your family .. ask for Tucker 😉  All jokes aside, Tucker is owned by Amara’s mom, but spends his days here.  He has spent time roping with Shawn + Jeff Quam, the kids ride him all summer and he has mounted many of you down the trails.  We love Tucker and his mellow laid back self.  

Bo (on the right).  The only horse without a nickname

Bo is Teddy’s half brother (owned by Amara’s mom, trained and rode by us) and is usually found at the back of the line with Amara mounted on him.  He will be integrated into the pack as a client rider, but until then he’s going to be chasing cattle and being as sweet and cool as his older brothers Teddy, Major + Tucker!

Jill.  Jilly, Jilly Bean

As a human that isn’t really good for surprises (Amara), Shawn loves to bring home four legged surprises periodically.  This thick tank backed out of the trailer and joined the herd last spring.  Shawn spent last summer riding her and right now she is raising her stud cold “Rowdy”.  She has been a beautiful addition to the ranch! 

Lenny & Penny & Nikki.  Aka Lenny, Len Len, Pen Pen, Penareno, Nik, Ferdinsky (not a clue why)

Although they are NOT horses, they are a part of this large family at Leaning Tree.  They are the greeting committee, and they are the best of friends.  Penny has been managing this place for the last ten years and is the sweetest, most hard working pup around.   She likes to chat, enjoys her truck rides and sleeping by the fire in our porch on cold winter nights.  Nikki, now four, joined us from a litter from Amara’s parents and when she’s not being on patrol with Penny, she loves pets, truck rides, quad rides and ski doo rides.  Essentially, she loves rides on/with anything.

Lenny the potbelly, joined us in the summer of 2017 (who is MUCH larger now than in this photo).   You will often hear him around the yard and has taken a stance against too many horses and people in his barn at one time.  He’s VERY vocal, so you won’t miss hearing his yelly self. 

If you love chickens (or strongly dislike them ..), they are running freely around our yard!  Farm fresh eggs are always available for $5/doz.