Our Equines – Our Partners!
“SuzAnne really leads by example with her horse, Power. She told me at one point that she felt that Power was her soulmate, and it made me realize that we weren’t just riding horses, we were part of a team with them.”
–Katrina Flower, Madison, Wisconsin
Our equines are not livestock standing in the field, but are our partners in every way. Most are superb athletes, veteran trail mounts who have been trained by professionals, while some cannot be ridden and serve in many other ways. Our dude horses regularly meet the challenges presented by the most experienced riders while staying gentle and responsive to the needs of beginners. Nothing compares to sailing through Montana's mountains and forests aboard a sure-footed, smooth-gaited horse in peak athletic condition!
And, just because our Donkey DIVAS and Ponies can't match the Tennessee Walking Horses' superb running walk gait, does not mean that they are not equal partners - just in different ways. Dunrovin values all the horses/donkeys/ponies for the individuals that they are. Each and everyone of them contributes to the character and beauty of the ranch.
THE DUNROVIN HERD
Meet Butte. Butte is a 20 years old, but you wouldn’t know it when you see the way he steps out! He was featured in a film in which a woman rode him on the Continental Divide Trail from the Mexico border to Canada. His original name was Mesa, but we don’t have mesas in Montana, we have Buttes!
Meet Chinook. Chinook is the consummate lead horse who can open a gate and set the right pace. Chinook now wears strange looking eye shades because he lost sight in one eye after bad smoke from a wildfire. This doesn’t stop him from being a excellent lead horse in the hands of a Dunrovin guide.
Meet Dugan. This handsome guy came from the Kentucky via a horse trader. While Dunrovin had never before purchased horses from a trader, we are delighted that we took a chance on this guy who turned out to be a real champ with a kind personality and a fabulous running walk.
Meet Flynn. This sweetheart of a horse arrived with his buddy Dugan from Kentucky. His beautiful long fiery red mane and tail draw plenty of attention. His kind, patient attitude and willingness to please make him the perfect match for youngsters learning to ride.
Meet Garnet. Garnet is one of our newest additions to the herd, coming from Idaho with his best buddy Jasper in 2019. Idaho is the Gem State, so we named him Garnet in honor of beautiful red garnet gems. Garnet is easy-going and loves attention and kids.
Meet Jasper. Jasper arrived with Garnet and is often by his side. He lives up to his given name of ‘A Western Gentleman.' His beautiful black color with white markings earned him the nick name of Jasper in honor of an Idaho black and white gem. Jasper is athletic and strong, and always takes care of his rider.
Meet Lady Lonza. She is more than horse to SuzAnne. She is the first horse to be born at Dunrovin and to be raised by SuzAnne. She is a direct connection to her late father as Lonza was foaled on his birthday the year after he died. Lonza has had three foals herself over the years.
Meet Mickey. Drama King, Mischievous Mickey, Little Napoleon are all names that have been used for this beautiful, all black, and very talented gelding. Mickey is NOT an easy horse, but he is a magnificent horse. His smooth gaits and love of moving make him the perfect lesson horse.
Meet Monty. Montana’s Strollin’ Joe, Monty for short the perfect name for this horse. He is confident without being aggressive; he is handsome and he knows it; he is a tad lazy and looks for fun rather than work. His friendly, easing going nature make him everybody’s “go to” horse.
Meet Mystery. Mystery was purchased from our good friend Brandon Carpenter for to develop a "tele-training" program in which Brandon used our webcam technology to coach the Dunrovin staff from afar to train Mystery. He succeeded and Mystery is now a prized guide horse.
Meet Ozzie’s Golden Echo. Nicknamed Oggy, this gorgeous palomino is Lady Lonza’s son. Born in 2017, Oggy has won the hearts of everyone he’s met. He’s a crowd favorite. Brandon Carpenter is again using "tele-training" to coach the Dunrovin staff to train Oggy for both driving and riding.
Meet Razz. This beautiful bay horse is truly a “razzamatazz” with his spunk and ability to move. He has a lovely smooth gait and is very responsive to his rider’s cues. He’s eagerness to please and calm demeanor means he gets along with everyone in the herd. He is the only horse to befriend Mickey!
Meet Rocket. This handsome horse acquired his name from rocketing around the pastures as a foal. Dunrovin’s guests may be intimated by the name – but they need not worry. Rocket is a mellow fellow; and is a bit on the lazy side. You may have to coach him into striding out, but once he hits his classic running walk, you’re in horse heaven.
Meet Whiskey. His copper color makes him a real stand out. SuzAnne jokingly tells people he should have been named Dubonnet as he belongs in a fine French restaurant rather than a western saloon. This gentleman never gives his rider any trouble. Children and beginning riders love him, while experienced riders revel in his responsiveness to their cues.
THE BARN YARD CREW
Our ponies and our donkeys are seldom let out on green grass because as the saying goes " they are easy keepers" who are prone to health problems if given too much rich food. All of these critters excel at delighting kids - of any age. The donkey DIVAS as so special that they merit their own section of this web site.
Meet Gertie & Maude. This New Year’s Eve photo of the DIVAS says it all! First, it reveals their color choices, results of careful analysis with their beauty consultants. Miss Maude always dresses in red as she is convinced that it highlights the amber tones in her beautiful chocolate brown coat, while Miss Gertie is equally insistent on donning purple to contrast with her lovely light gray coat.
The Dunrovin Team
These two handsome fellows are co-captains - hence the names Captain Lewis and Captain Clark - of their beautiful black cart with red trimming. Sporting lovely Amish made leather harnesses, these two cut quite a figure on the roads of Lolo. With more training, we hope to have them in parades in the BIG city of Missoula. These two talented and playful fellows not only serve to pull a wagon, but are perfectly suited for young riders to get their first horseback riding experiences.
Meet Captain Lewis and Captain Clark. This team is Dunrovin Ranch’s newest equines who came in August of 2013. It all started as some many things do at Dunrovin – with a phone call from someone wanting to do something with horses. In this case, it was a phone call from a lovely woman asking if Dunrovin knew of anyone who might be interested in purchasing a pair of draft ponies along with their beautiful black and red carriage and black leather Amish harnesses.
Dunrovin's Rescue Horse
Mackenzie Cole's beautiful rescue horse, Canner, lives at Dunrovin and has become much loved member of the Dunrovin herd. Everyone at Dunrovin has learned a great deal from watching Mackenize work with Canner to overcome his fear of humans that stems from having been in some very traumatic situations. Mackenzie's commitment to and patience with Canner is very inspiring.
Departed, But Not Forgotten
Just because one of our equine friends has died or moved away, doesn't mean that their spirits don't remain at Dunrovin. We miss them all.
Power
Power was SuzAnne's "Mane Man" and her "once in a lifetime" horse. They were bonded at the hip - and together they traveled thousands of miles in Montana's beautiful back county. She misses and thinks of him every day.
Señor Kona
Señor Kona introduced Dunrovin Ranch to the wonderful world of donkeys. His genial, loving, kind, willing, and patient personality won over even the hardest of hearts. No role was too silly, no costume too outlandish, no duty too difficult for him to happily cooperate. He was a true member of the team and inspired Dunrovin to new levels of fun and foolishness.
Chief. Chief is a horse that you’ll want to bring home! He’s a very quiet guy with a naturally gentle disposition, making him an excellent horse for similarly mannered riders of all experience levels. Not only is he a totally reliable and friendly fellow, but he has the most amazing smooth and fast gait, and will happily lead any group.
Denali is the name that the indigenous Athabaskan people of Alaska gave to Mount McKinley and it means "The Great One"; and Dunrovin's Denali fit it to a tee. He was big - over 16 hands tall - yet gentle and an excellent horse for beginning riders.
Dandy served as a Dunrovin Ranch guest horse until Laura came along and feel in love with him and it was obvious that the feeling was mutual. Dandy simply belonged with Laura - so Dunrovin sold Dandy to Laura in 2011.
Flash was a long time Dunrovin Ranch who suddenly become permanently lame with a stretched nerve. He was a much loved horse and Dunrovin is most happy that he went with Dandy to be his pasture mate at their new home with Laura.
Martine was a very special horse at Dunrovin. He was permanently lame from ring bone and was rescued by Dunrovin. However, he found an important job as an emotional therapy horse - people just seemed to migrate to him. He was with Dunrovin for over eight years.
Charger was a big beautiful blue roan and was one in a million. He came to the ranch site-unseen over ten years ago. He was the PERFECT guest horse. A true gentleman to children and adults alike, he was our gentle giant and often gave people from around the globe their first horseback ride.
Cool Dude. He was exactly that – one very cool dude who was a favorite of all the children that he met. Sturdy enough to carry a small adult, his short stature and easy going, slow moving personality inspired confidence among new riders of all ages.
Smokey. Smoke gets in your eyes! Smokey’s deep brown eyes were mesmerizing and hypnotized all who gazed into them. He had a very commanding presence with his tall stature, and big bones. He was careful to take care of young riders, gave inexperienced riders a suburb ride, yet was like butter in the hands of an experienced horseman.
Romeo. SuzAnne frequently changes the nickname for a new horse if the original one doesn’t sit right with her. Such was the case for Romeo. Yahweh's Sterling Legacy is the name on his registration papers. She had no idea what Yahwehs was or meant; and she couldn’t use Sterling since her husband already occupied that name in her mind and heart.
Annie. The herd matriarch, the first horse SuzAnne ever purchased, and mother of Lady Lonza, Annie unfortunately became lame from an accident many years ago just months after SuzAnne bought her. While never ridden for over twenty years, Annie lived a long life and served as a wonderful grandmother to Lonza's three foals.
Bonnie & Clyde came to Dunrovin when a woman called SuzAnne to see if adopt two sweet ponies that needed to stay together, as the older female was going blind and she was completely dependent on her younger son for guidance. They lived together at Dunrovin for over a decade before passing together.