Discovering the Animal Kingdom at Running Springs with Katie Van Slyke

Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here! If you'd like to watch the video version of this blog, click here.

If you're a fan of animals, farm life, or just curious about some unique critters, Running Springs is the place to explore. My husband, my parents, and I run this place together, and it's officially a bustling haven for all kinds of animals, from my adorable mini cows and mini horses to my majestic broodmares and everything in between.

Let's dive into the heart of Running Springs and meet the whole crew.

A Look at the Mini Farm at Running Springs

My mini farm is a relatively new addition to Running Springs, but it has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the whole place. It's home to my mini horses, mini donkeys, and Nigerian dwarf goats, and y'all, it is about as delightful as it gets.

My mini horses include some real stars, like Miss Regina, a seven-year-old mare, and George, her adorable baby who's getting ready for a big move to Canada. Then there's Miss Karen, a 16-year-old mare, and her foal Squirt, who is an absolute show-stealer. I've also got a sweet little lineup of mini donkeys, including Miss Dolly and her baby Pico.

On the goat side, Bella, Blossom, and Buttercup lead the pack of Nigerian dwarf does, right alongside Buttercup's twin daughters, Honey and Bee. Every single animal here gets loved on and cared for like part of the family, because that's exactly what they are.

A Little About Nigerian Dwarf Goats

If you're new to the goat side of things, here's my quick rundown. Nigerian dwarf goats are a small dairy breed with West African roots, and they're some of the friendliest, most curious little characters you'll ever meet. Does usually top out around 22 inches tall, so they stay manageable even when they're bossing everybody around.

Don't let the size fool you though, my girls are mighty. For how little they are, Nigerian dwarfs are known for rich, high-butterfat milk, and their sweet, people-loving personalities make them a favorite for families and first-time goat owners. That's a big part of why they fit right in around here.

The Freeloaders and Rescues

Beyond the mini farm, I've got a whole group of "freeloader" mares and rescues. These girls aren't currently pregnant, but they still play a big role around the farm. Charlotte, a six-year-old thoroughbred, and Willow, a nine-year-old, both came to me as rescues, and they are officially thriving now.

I put a lot of care and planning into managing my mares. Some, like Phoebe and Gracie, are recipients (or "recips") carrying embryos for other mares. Others, like Maggie, are seasoned broodmares getting ready to help me raise Running Springs' next generation of horses.

What Is a Recipient Mare?

That word "recip" comes up a lot around here, so let me break it down. A recipient mare is a healthy mare who carries and delivers a foal for another mare. I take an embryo from a donor mare I want to breed, and we transfer it into the recip, who then carries the pregnancy to term. It lets one of my top mares give me more than one foal a year and keeps her free to stay in the show pen if that's where she shines.

It's honestly one of my favorite parts of the breeding program to talk about. If you want the full story, I broke it all down in my post on the vital role of recipient mares.

Mini Cows Steal the Show

One of the most exciting parts of Running Springs is, of course, my mini cows. The current stars are Miss Pearl, Pepper, and Peanut, my three newest mini Highland calves. They're joined by yearlings Pumpkin and Posie, plus the two-year-olds Petunia and Poppy. I'm planning to keep expanding this herd through artificial insemination, because the world can always use a little more mini cow cuteness.

My mini cows aren't just adorable, they're a big part of my bigger vision for Running Springs. By carefully picking genetics and slowly building my herd, I get to be a little part of the growing love for mini cattle, both in agriculture and as pets.

We've also got over 80 beef cattle out on the property.

Why Everybody Loves a Mini Highland Cow

My mini cows are miniature Highlands, the ones with the long, shaggy coats that make them look like walking teddy bears. The breed comes from Scotland, and that thick coat is part of why they're famously hardy and easy-going, which is exactly what made them blow up online. Pair that with their sweet personalities and it's no wonder y'all fell in love with them right along with me.

Curious how my fluffy Highlands compare to another popular mini? I put them side by side in my guide to the differences between miniature Highland and miniature Hereford cows.

Broodmares and Beyond

I am so proud of my broodmare roster, and a whole lot of these girls are gearing up for exciting foaling seasons. Erlene and Kennedy, both due in January, are among the first to expect foals in 2025. I've also got a few "freeloader" mares like Sophie, Indie, and Trudy, who are taking a little break from breeding but are still a big part of my future plans.

I've spent so much time learning my horses' pedigrees and planning carefully for the next generation, and real talk, I'm still learning something new every single day. With eight foals expected in 2025, we are set to welcome a whole new wave of babies.

Off-Property Stars

While most of my animals call Running Springs home, a few are off-property for training or special care. That includes Denver, a three-year-old AQHA stallion getting ready for his breeding career, and Wheezy, an appendix filly in training. Just because they're not here in the barn doesn't mean they don't have my whole heart, I want every one of them to have the best shot to grow and thrive.

What Does "Appendix" Mean in Horses?

You'll hear me call Wheezy an "appendix" filly, and that just describes her breeding. An Appendix horse is a cross between an American Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred, registered through the American Quarter Horse Association's Appendix registry. That mix often gives you a horse with Quarter Horse build and a little extra Thoroughbred refinement and athleticism, which is exactly why so many of us love them in the show ring.

The Final Count: How Many Animals Are at Running Springs?

By the end of my animal tour, I'd tallied up over 150 animals at Running Springs, including:

• Mini cows and goats
• Mini horses and donkeys
• Thoroughbreds, quarter horses, and appendix horses
• Cats and even a pig named Winston!

Every single one of them has their own little story, and honestly, they're the whole reason I do what I do.

Why Running Springs Stands Out

Running Springs isn't just a farm to me, it's a sanctuary where every animal is cherished and gets exactly what it needs. From horse breeding to raising mini cows, I pour myself into every corner of this place. Whether we're prepping for new foals or just keeping up with the daily chaos of the mini fam, farm life has its big joys and its hard days, and I do my best to share all of it with y'all.

If you want to keep up with all the cuteness (and the chaos), come follow along with me online. You'll get an inside look at farm life, the silly antics of my mini animals, and the whole incredible process of horse breeding. Whether you're an animal lover, a future mini cow owner, or just curious about life on a busy farm, I would love to have you along for the ride.

Running Springs is so much more than a farm. It's proof of what a little passion, a lot of hard work, and a deep love for animals can build. Stick around to see what's next for me, my animals, and this beautiful place we get to call home.