Horses

IN MEMORIAM Monarch – 1990 Norwegian Fjord gelding
Monarch is the oldest herd member who takes responsibility for the herd by doing things like making sure that everyone drinks water on a hot summer day. In his former life, he was a three day eventer outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. He does not give his heart easily because there have been times in his life when he has been frightened and disappointed. He is cautious, kind, and one of our wisest equine therapists. He has never met a piece of fruit that he didn’t like.

Kasper – 2003 Norwegian Fjord gelding
Clover Oaks Farm Ivar (“Kasper”) was born in Florida and is an “extra special” Fjord, as there are only about 120 registered geldings in the US that are a grey dun color. His favorite snack is ripe bananas and his nickname is Casserole. In FL, he was a valued babysitter who cared for foals shortly after they were weaned from their mothers. With crazy hair and a goofy personality, he makes friends easily and reminds us all that it is important to have fun and not take life too seriously.

Clyde – 2005 Norwegian Fjord gelding
Clyde was born on a South Carolina farm and taught a strong work ethic early in life. He is very good at striking a balance between working hard when asked and savoring apples and sun baths when he is off the clock. He is very friendly and fiercely loyal…and won’t share his watermelon with anyone. His mohawk mane is often cut in a “piano key” pattern.

Leo – 2010 Ardennais gelding
Although we were not planning to add another horse to the herd, in February, 2011, we met an amazing colt named Clover Oaks Farm Leopold and we knew that his destiny was to touch the hearts of Triple Play clients. Leo is is still learning the ropes. He has a short attention span and loves new adventures, like the time that he climbed into the water trough. With his beautiful feathered feet and bay color, he looks a little different from the rest of his pasture mates. He is trying to find his place in the herd and learn all about the expectations of his new job, home and horse family.

Moose – 2006 Miniature gelding
Moose Tracks, so named after the ice cream flavor, is a miniature horse with one blue eye and new swagger because he has just learned how to pull a cart. Within the herd, he is a playmate that all of the bigger horses indulge him with a strange tolerance that we call “The Moose Factor.” He is playful, self-protective and mischievous, but ultimately just wants to be with his herd.

Maisy – 2005 Miniature mare
Maisy joined the herd at Christmas time in 2012 and was initially very wary of everything in her new home. After a lot of patience and allowing her to initiate relationship, we have convinced her that humans can be a source of belly scratches, companionship and carrots! She is in training to pull a cart as part of a team with Moose and recently wore a specially made Christmas outfit in the North Mecklenburg holiday parade. Her luxurious, two tone buckskin mane is her pride and joy and she can rocket across the pasture in a few seconds flat!

Emma – 2000 Thoroughbred mare
Emma joined our herd in early 2013 and took quite a while to not feel anxious about her new surroundings. She is a rescued OTTB that came from our sister organization, Race2Ring and has proven to be have many valuable lessons for our clients. She is eager to connect, but a worrywart at heart. She has an endearing habit of “begging” by curling a front leg and loves nothing more than a big, fluffy pile of orchard hay of her very own.

We believe in keeping our horses as naturally as possible. For us, this means meeting all of their needs to the best of our ability:

Food and water
First and foremost, we invest in excellent quality forage, usually orchard or timothy if possible. If their weight warrants it, they will also receive regular feedings of a Progressive Nutrition grain product/diet balancer. They always have access to fresh water and a mineral and salt block at all times. Our herd’s feed is supplied by RiteBalance of Newton, North Carolina. We encourage you to contact them for a consultation about your own horse’s nutritional needs.

Safety and companionship
Our horses live and move as a mixed gender herd with as much turnout as possible. Here in North Carolina, there are only a handful of days a year that the weather is truly too inclement for our turnout. Our senior horses are blanketed if needed, but we believe that the natural habit of foraging and constantly moving keeps them healthier mentally and physically. They are then also free to develop the relationships with other horses that give them a sense of safety and enrich their lives.

Play and problem solving
If all of their other needs are adequately being met, we also try to make sure each horse has his own assigned staff person in charge of training and enrichment. That is the person that picks him first every time out of the pasture. We believe that a consistent relationship translates into better manners and a greater sense of purpose for the horse. We try to provide each horse with “cross training” opportunities each week, which may include round pen work, in-hand obstacle training, ground driving, carriage driving, draft work, and/or pleasure riding in the arena or on the trails.

Chickens

The Triple Play chickens, a mix of Orpington, Silkie/Cochin and Serama breeds, have been hand raised at the farm starting in the spring of 2011. Some are past their egg laying prime, but are a tight flock that enjoys any table scraps that you are willing to spare.

Dogs

Percy the Pug came to Triple Play via a local rescue, where he had been confiscated from an environment with at least 40 other dogs and had amputation of his right front leg at some point. He is joyful, friendly, curious, and skitters around the farm like a rabbit. He has been known to tangle with any stinkbug that crosses his path and loves to play with his big buddies Cooper and Dancer. We feel lucky to have found him and believe that he has many lessons for us.

Dancer the Newfoundland came to the farm in December, 2017 from Avalon Bey Newfoundlands. Her extroverted and loving personality made her an instant farm favorite and she has also earned her Pet Partners certification. Prior to COVID restrictions, she visited the inpatient unit at Davidson Behavioral Health once a month. Her favorite thing is befriending human infants and carb loading by stealing sleeves of bagels and loaves of bread whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Goats

Milo is a tri-color Nigerian Dwarf goat that is known for his leadership skills within the goat herd.  He is the first to investigate and say hello and is decisive and confident.  His current favorite trick is to make eye contact before showing you his famous back up trick in the hopes of a handsome goat treat reward.

Otis is a black and white Nigerian Dwarf goat that is typically the most affectionate goat in the herd.  One of his favorite hobbies is to plop down in the nearest lap while he nibbles on your shirt sleeve, earlobes or hair.  He loves an occasional animal cracker snack.

Newton is a grey agouti Pygmy goat who, thanks to his healthy rumen, looks like he may have swallowed a bowling ball.  His markings also make him look like he is wearing black kneesocks.  He is friendly but will let no head butt from another goat go unanswered...he doesn't have a skull and crossbones on his collar for nothing!

Pig

Pearl is a young female potbellied pig who was rescued through Red Dog Farm. She is a shy, extremely sensitive pig that doesn't give her heart easily.  She spends most of her days hoping to come across a stray marshmallow or jelly bean.