Calling all horse enthusiasts!
We are thrilled to announce that we have some new baby horses running around on the Ranch! In the debut of our “Meet the Foals” video series, we first introduce Tinman!
Vista Verde acquired three new foals with the hopes of re-establishing a horse breeding program on the Ranch. The three babies–Tinman, Hope, and Faith–will start the next generation of high-quality guest ranch horses, and we are excited to share their personal journeys. In the series, we will check in with our Director of Horse Operations Kaulana “KP” Papalimu who shares the progress and development of each foal; starting with Tinman, our prospective stud colt.
Meet Tinman:
Tinman is registered officially as “VVR Hey There Tinman” because he is sired by “Hey There Mr. Tinman” and out of “Miss Cutting Badger”–for all you horsey people out there. In each episode, KP highlights “The Gold,” “The Grit,” and “A Glimpse,” the three pillars he uses to summarize what makes each new foal special.
- The Gold: This represents the unique personality and qualities of the foals who are going to be the heart of Vista’s future, carrying on the tradition of strong, well-bred horses that our wranglers and guests can rely on.
- The Grit: It takes grit to live on a ranch! This pillar highlights the trials, hard work, and dedication it takes to raise and train these young horses. Sometimes challenges occur that we have to overcome, and our horses are no exception. The grit our foals currently experience is just a hurdle they’ll overcome and grow from.
- A Glimpse: Finally, a glimpse is just a snapshot of the true legacy the horse will bring. All of the horses at Vista Verde are special and unique in their own way; our horsemanship team recognizes the potential of each horse and works hard to bring that potential to life.
These three pillars will help us share the complete stories of Tinman, Hope, and Faith as they develop. As this series progresses, we invite you to saddle up and join us on their journey. Stay tuned for introductions to Hope and Faith. We love watching these adorable foals grow!
Meet Faith:
Next up in the foal family is Faith, our anxious little filly. F
aith first arrived at Vista Verde when she was just 5 months old, which creates a pretty unique opportunity for us to shape the early chapters of her life. She is the second foal of an anxious broodmare, which has brought similar trust issues in Faith. Nevertheless, she has the potential to be an amazing guest ranch horse, and her story is just beginning!
- The Gold: As for what makes Faith unique, KP states, “She is just a picture-perfect quarter horse. She resembles the structure, build, and mindset of a quarterhorse from the ’70s and ’80s.” Horses back then were bigger and more muscular than what quarterhorses typically are today due to breeding changes over many years. That’s why it’s exciting to see Faith stand out already.
- The Grit: Faith is currently working through her anxiousness inherited from her mother and learning to trust a human. KP is excited to work through her challenges. “I’m drawn to anxious horses because I enjoy the challenge they bring,” KP says. “Once you win them over and they trust you, they grasp that and keep a hold of it.” This anxiousness could turn out to be Faith’s shining factor as it often leads horses to be gritty and willing to take on life no matter the situation.
- A Glimpse: Since she’s still young, Faith’s legacy is still unfolding, but she is displaying a ton of potential. “She has the genes and the lineage prior to her that enables her to become a special horse. She will become a pretty memorable horse that guests and staff will really enjoy to ride.”
The future is bright with Faith. She is a testament to the power of patience and trust between our horses and wranglers. Stay tuned to watch Faith’s story unfold because it’s just getting started.
