I think it's about time I introduced you to the newest (and tiniest!) member of the family—meet Coco, my brand new mini horse mare! She's not just adorable—she's also bringing some exciting things to Running Springs, including a future foal that I absolutely cannot wait for.
Why Coco Stayed in Ocala
Although I purchased Coco last year, she's been staying in Ocala, Florida. Why, you ask? Because she's been busy doing something pretty important—getting bred! We wanted to wait until she was about 45 days along in her pregnancy before bringing her home to Tennessee, just to make sure everything was progressing smoothly. She’s currently at 42 days, so we're just about ready to welcome her to Running Springs—get ready, y'all!
And yes, she has a full fancy show name (because of course she does), but we're going to keep things sweet and simple and just call her Coco. I'm beyond excited for her to join the rest of my herd.
Breeding Season at NMotion Equestrian
I took a little trip down to InMotion Equestrian, where Coco was bred, and y'all—it was an absolute dream. I met up with Chandler Marks, who owns the farm and is now officially my miniature horse dealer (no shame in my addiction to minis at this point). Chandler is not only a top-tier breeder, but he also owns VS Flatline, which makes him basically royalty in the horse world.
While there, I got to meet Coco’s baby daddy, a stunning mini stallion named Erl Cuddy Rocks the House—talk about a name! This little guy may be small, but he's a powerhouse. He's a two-time AMHR National Grand Champion and also a Reserve World Grand Champion in AMHA halter, competing against the best of the best.
He's refined, charismatic, and has that it factor. Plus, he's got a half blue eye, which means Coco's foal might just inherit some truly eye-catching features. Fingers crossed for some blue-eyed baby magic!
Future Foal Excitement
Y'all know me—I get giddy around foals, and thinking about Coco's future baby just has me over the moon. Based on everything I saw and learned from Chandler, this little one is going to be something special. Coco is already such a sweet, well-built mini mare, and combined with her champion sire, her foal is bound to have a huge personality in a tiny package.
While visiting NMotion Equestrian, I also got to meet the sires of some of my other beloved minis, like George, Gretchen, and Regina. From Oak Bay Salsa Cardinal Rule—aka Ruler, who has a resume that puts most horses to shame—to Magic's Witch Doctor, who's throwing gorgeous babies with striking coloring, it was such a treat to meet these legends in person.
Baby Horse Playtime
Let’s be honest—half the fun of going to a breeding facility is playing with the foals. I had a blast getting to know little ones like Jiminy Cricket, one of Ruler's babies, who was experiencing the outdoors for the first time. Talk about precious! And then there was Olive—a gorgeous filly so tiny and perfectly made, she hardly looked real. These little nuggets are just full of sass and personality, and watching them bounce around made me feel like a kid again.
Mini Horse Magic at Its Finest
Being surrounded by such quality horses reminded me of why I fell in love with mini horses in the first place. These aren't just pasture ornaments—they're accomplished athletes, sweet companions, and full of surprises. From halter classes and driving competitions to being absolute cuddle bugs, these minis do it all.
Every horse I met had a unique story and impressive lineage. Whether it was Incahoots, the regal Shetland whose offspring have been exported to Dubai and Europe, or Magic, the stunning black sabino stallion kept private for years, these boys are truly the elite of the mini world.
Thank You, NMotion!
I want to give a huge thank you to Chandler and the entire team at InMotion Equestrian for letting me drop in on short notice. Even though I threw a wrench in their plans, they were so gracious and welcoming. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of their breeding program, meeting my horses' sires, and spending time with all those mini horses was something I'll never forget.
So now we wait... Coco will be home soon, and before we know it, a tiny new foal will be making their way into the world at Running Springs. Y'all better believe I'll keep you updated every step of the way!
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