Great Joy in Small Doses

Great Joy in Small Doses: The large gift of miniature horses.

?Wish I had some sugar,”says Dorothy Petronovich, 83, admiring a miniature horse at MH Ranch in Westfield, Wis.

“It feels soft as silk,” exclaims a companion, petting one of more than 100 animals owned by Ronald and Barbara McHugh.

The McHughs have been raising miniature horses for 14 years and in the process have found ways to share their passion with both the young and older residents of their community to the benefit of everyone.

Each year, for example, they invite residents of area nursing homes and community-based residential facilities to their ranch for a free informal horse show. In wheelchairs or assisted by walkers, canes, and nursing aides, the seniors—many of whom grew up on farms or are retired farmers—immediately bond with the animals.

“We saw that when there were handicapped people or elderly visiting the ranch, it was like they got a rebirth,” explains Ron McHugh. “They really relate to the miniature horses.”

Miniature horses, gentle of temperament and measuring not more than 34 inches tall, are not dwarf animals or ponies but are genuine horses—developed over the centuries through selective breeding as gifts for European royalty and as pets for young princes and princesses.

Cyndy Williams, program director at Martha’s senior residence facility in nearby Princeton, applauds the McHughs for allowing residents to spend time with the therapeutic animals. She says the McHughs go out of their way to make visits enjoyable and convenient, even bringing horses directly to the seniors at Christmastime.

Each December for 13 years, the McHughs have taken miniature horses decked out in Santa Claus attire directly to area nursing homes. This year the minis, as the horses are commonly called, are scheduled to visit seniors at seven local homes.

“It was Barb’s idea to go to the nursing homes, and I thought we’d give it a try,” explains McHugh. “We couldn’t believe what an inspirational thing it was to see. It brought everybody to life.”

In a holiday appearance in 1999, children who came to see “Santa the Miniature Horse” at a local real estate office brought along gifts for needy children. The horse made a similar “gift-giving” appearance at the Westfield Chamber of Commerce office, along with a human Santa.

“Children like the miniature horses because they are on their own level, looking them straight in the eye,” says McHugh.

MH Ranch will be alive with activity in the spring when the McHugh minis are expected to give birth to 48 foals. Fortunately, the McHughs will have help delivering and nurturing the next generation of animals. Their daughter, Kathleen Virch, who serves as ranch manager, and employees Heather Weir and Cheryl Clift, will take rotating shifts to assist with the arrival of the foals through March, April, and May.

Hearing that a mini consumes only a bale of hay a month, Williams says she’d like to have the residents at Martha’s adopt one of the horses. She enthusiastically explains that in addition to contributing money toward its upkeep, the seniors could follow its progress by visiting the ranch and creating a photo album.

Ron and Barbara McHugh think it’s a great idea and already have decided the first mare to foal in the spring will be the adoptee. McHugh says it’s a pleasure sharing such a big part of their life with the community at large.

“We are rewarded with good feelings and the knowledge we are depended upon,” he says.

Ann Hattes is a freelance writer in Hartland, Wis.

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