Running Springs is the Van Slyke family's working horse-and-cattle farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. Katie shares the operation's Quarter Horses, cattle, mini animals, and seasonal births through her official channels.
The last published farm count recorded roughly 176 animals across the full operation: about 42 equines, more than 60 cattle, Nigerian Dwarf goats, a mini pig, barn cats, and dogs. Treat that figure as a dated snapshot, because births, sales, training travel, and new additions change the roster throughout the year.
Below is the official 2026 breakdown, group by group, plus the farm video that introduced the animals included in that count.
Key Takeaways
- Running Springs is the Van Slyke family's working horse-and-cattle farm in Nolensville, Tennessee.
- Katie's last published 2026 count recorded roughly 176 animals across the full operation.
- That dated count included about 42 equines, more than 60 cattle, Nigerian Dwarf goats, a mini pig, barn cats, and dogs.
- The roster changes throughout the year as foals and calves arrive, animals travel, and the mini farm grows.
What's In Here
How Many Animals Does Katie Van Slyke Have?
Katie's last published 2026 count was about 176 animals. It is a verified annual snapshot rather than a live total, and the animals were spread across horses, cattle, and the smaller mini-farm crew.
| Group | Roughly how many | What's in it |
|---|---|---|
| Equines | About 42 | Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, mini horses, and donkeys |
| Cattle | 60-plus | Mini Highland cows and a full-sized Simmental herd |
| Goats | A small herd | Nigerian dwarf goats |
| Pig | 1 | Winston, our mini pig |
| Cats and dogs | Several | Barn cats plus our family dogs |
The easiest way to actually meet all 176 is to watch me walk the whole place and say hello to each one:
Video: Every single animal on Running Springs farm in one video (Katie Van Slyke).
The Horses, Minis, and Donkeys
The equines are the heart of everything, roughly 42 head when you count the full-sized horses, the miniature horses, and the donkeys together. The full-sized side is my American Quarter Horse program, anchored by our stallion VS Code Red, along with broodmares, foals, and show horses like our Congress champion Hank.
Then there is the mini side, which is pure personality. My mini horses, like Regina and Coco, and my mini donkeys, Dolly, Blanche, and their crew, are some of the most-requested faces on the farm. You can find the official registered names behind all the barn names in my herd roundup.
The Cattle: Mini Highlands and Simmentals
Cattle are the biggest slice of the count, more than 60 head, and they come in two very different sizes. First are the famous mini Highland cows, led by Poppy and Petunia and their whole "P" family. Those fuzzy little cows are the ones that first pulled a lot of you onto my page, and I wrote a whole guide to mini cows because of them.
The bigger slice is our registered Simmental beef herd, which we run as a family. Between mama cows, heifers, and calves on the ground, the full-sized cattle make up the largest single group in the whole 176.
Love the mini cows as much as I do? You can rep Poppy, Petunia, and the crew any time in my Katie's Classics collection.
Goats, a Pig, and the Barn Crew
The rest of the count is the mini farm crew that keeps things chaotic and wonderful. We have a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats, our mini pig Winston, who is unexpectedly large and holds his own spot in the count, a group of barn cats who run the place, and our two dogs. None of them earn their keep, and all of them are essential.
Why the Count Keeps Climbing
If you follow along, you already know the number goes up almost every year. That is mostly by design.
Foaling season brings new babies each spring, our cattle herd calves out, and every so often a new mini animal joins the family. Between the horses I breed and the calves born here, growth is just built into a working farm.
It is also why I do a real count once a year instead of guessing. You can watch a whole season of new arrivals in foaling season, and see how it all started in how it all began.
Where Is Katie Van Slyke's Farm?
Running Springs is the Van Slyke family farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. The animals in this guide are cared for across its horse barns, cattle pastures, and mini-farm areas. It is a private working operation rather than a public petting zoo.
Katie shares farm updates through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, including births and new arrivals that can change the annual count.
The Bottom Line on the Count
The last published 2026 count for Katie Van Slyke's farm recorded about 176 animals, from Quarter Horses and cattle to mini animals, barn cats, and dogs.
Because Running Springs is an active breeding and cattle operation, that total should be read as a dated snapshot. The next official annual count—not an estimate—is the right source for a newer number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many animals does Katie Van Slyke have?
Katie's last published 2026 count recorded roughly 176 animals across Running Springs. That annual snapshot included about 42 equines, more than 60 cattle, Nigerian Dwarf goats, a mini pig, barn cats, and dogs; the live roster changes throughout the year.
What animals does Katie Van Slyke have?
The farm includes American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, miniature horses, mini donkeys, miniature Highland cows, a registered Simmental beef herd, Nigerian dwarf goats, a mini pig named Winston, barn cats, and family dogs. The Quarter Horse breeding program is the core of the operation.
What are Katie Van Slyke's mini cows named?
Her miniature Highland cows all have names starting with "P," led by the original pair, Poppy and Petunia, along with the rest of the growing "P" family. They are among the most popular animals on the farm and inspired much of the mini cow content and merch.
Where does Katie Van Slyke keep all her animals?
The animals are cared for at Running Springs, the Van Slyke family farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. The private working farm includes horse barns, cattle pastures, and mini-farm areas.
Does the animal count change every year?
Yes. Foals and calves are born, animals may travel for training or move to new homes, and the mini farm can gain new residents. Use Katie's next official annual count for a newer total.
About the Author
Hi, I am Katie Van Slyke!
I breed AQHA Quarter Horses at my family farm in Tennessee, stand two stallions, and document foaling season every year from the barn floor while sharing the daily realities of farm life.
I am incredibly lucky to share this journey with millions of friends across YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. You can read the full story of how it all started on my about page.
Sources
The animal count comes from my own official channels, and the exact roster changes each year, so numbers reflect the most recent count.
11 comments
Time to update this, we are in July of 2026 and a lot has changed. Looking forward to 2027 predictions of foals
I think you need to get your crew member that is in charge of updating things here to start updating lol, because there have been a lot of changes since last year.
You & your team are incredible! I truly enjoy keeping up with y’all! I’m a fellow Tennessean (Cocke County). We have a small farm in Newport. 🩷
I am absolutely hooked watching your content everyday! I WANT A FARM! I am actually getting ready to retire but not yet ready to NOT work! If you need an extra employee to help out 🙋♀️. I would move in a heartbeat. Would love to work for you. You make my day and you are such a natural and your commenting is hilarious. You can tell all your babies love you. Seriously, hit me up😁
I have fallen in love with your farm! I keep noticing the little mobile home on the property. I’m retiring in a couple of years. I’d love to rent it out. 😊
It would just be me and my eight year old golden retriever crash.
You are a fantastic fur mama. 🤍