Black Forest Farm LLC

                    

Black Forest Farm was founded in 1999 and is nestled in the hills just 3 miles south of Blue Mounds, WI.  Black Forest Farm, LLC is owned and operated by Marlene Cordes.

The majority of the horse herd was purchased during the summer of 2000 from the Munns Ranch in Rexburg, Idaho, and consists of IM Magic, the stallion, several proven brood mares and young stock.  To read more about the interesting story behind how Magic and all the horses came to be here read about Voodoo, Maximillion Magic (Moxie) and Moxii Magic (Moxii) on the Magic Babies page.

Black Forest Farm . . .Premium Horses of Color and Performance

Being involved with horses in the past, it was exciting to actually be able to have a positive influence in the horse industry in a small way through the breeding program. There are several goals in mind.  The horses purchased were ones of sound breeding and special colors, such as blacks, paints, buckskins, duns, palominos and grullos.  Of course, "you can't ride color."  Several members of the herd show athletic promise, while others have developed more "cow savvy" through their pedigree.  Others are superior trail horses.  The primary bloodlines are from the King Fritz, Jesse James, Poco Bueno of course the Impressive heritage.  All in all, Black Forest Farm horses are truly a herd of "premium horses of color and performance."

In the winter of 2000-2001, the first part of the horse facility was constructed by Morton.  It has a cedar exterior to match the house.  The barn is in two 60 x 72 foot sections with a 24 x 72 foot display area in the center.  Half of the barn is for the more permanent residents, such as the main stallion, IM Magic.  The stalls are 12 x 12 feet, with some having the capability to be enlarged to 12 x 24 feet.  In the other barn section, stalls are 12 x 10 feet, with some having the capability to also be enlarged.  There are areas for tack, feed, a wash stall and an area with dutch doors to allow horses and foals the freedom to move in and out of the barn.  Boarded mares and their foals would be in this section.

A second building by Cover All was constructed in 2002.  It serves as an arena, shelter and storage facility.  An outdoor arena was added in 2003 using Priefert panels.  It's purpose is to serve as a work area and an area to safely turn out stallions or other horses.  We continue to add and improve our trails and try to make progress and improvements every year.

 

Philosophy and Mission

As a breeder, I believe I have an obligation to take responsibility for what I create through my breeding program and business activities.  Most people see only the pleasant side of horses and horse ownership.  Many horses have less fortunate lives and are abused or go to slaughter.  This is especially true in harder economic times when many healthy horses with good bloodlines find themselves facing an uncertain future.

Horses can live 30 or 40 years.  When crisis hits a horse owner's life such as illness, divorce, death or job loss, the horse can find itself in a precarious situation.  Sometimes crisis seems to necessitate a quick sale and possibly a future that is much different than the owner intended.

Although I cannot save every horse, I can do my best to not add to the problem and try to help people help their horses when problems arise.  I encourage and challenge anyone who owns, breeds or  raises horses to do the same.

Here's what I try to do:

My Business Practices for Responsible Horse Breeding

1. Selective Breeding Practices 
2. Selective Horse Sales 
3. Follow-up Support 
4. Giving Back   

1.  Selective Breeding Practices

Horses used for breeding have:
    a. Good bloodlines and Credentials
        In my herd the bloodline consists of primarily older, proven lines such as King Fritz, Jesse James, Poco Bueno of course the Impressive heritage.

    b. Excellent Conformation and Disposition
        I choose only the best horses for breeding.  They are prospects first and must prove themselves before they are allowed to breed.  Even horses with good bloodlines have conformational flaws.  While no horse is perfect and to a certain extent, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder,"  no horse with an obvious conformational or disposition defect is allowed to breed.

    c. Versatility
        Just as every person has special abilities, so does every horse.  Some are athletic.  Some are great trail horses.  Some excel at showing.  Others as working horses.  Some love kids.  A select few act as wellness facilitators and assist in healing animals and people.  One of the things I like about my stallion, Im Magic, is that his foals show such versatility in their abilities.

    d. Color
        It's true.  You can't ride color, but if everything else is there, a special color adds to the value of the horse.  Guests call the horses "the rainbow herd" -- black, Paint, buckskin, dun, palomino and grullo.  When some 30 horses run across the pasture, it's a sight to behold.  It gives you the feeling you're watching a wild herd in the old west.

        A horse's color also gives it an edge in the market place.  I want to breed as many advantages into my horses as possible.  Ultimately, the horse's welfare is most important to me.  A horse with more advantages has a more certain future.

2.  Selective Horse Sales

A Horse's Prayer

To thee Master, I offer thy prayer.
Feed me, water me and care for me;
and when the day is done,
provide me with shelter and
a clean dry bed to lie down in.

Please be kind to me.  Talk to me.
Your friendly voice soothes me and brings me comfort.
Pet me and brush me often, that I may serve you more gladly
and learn to love and trust you.
Watch me, for I am unable to tell you when I am not well,
or that something is wrong.
So watch me, that by signs you may know my condition.
Give me shelter from a storm or the sweltering heat of the day
and a blanket on a cold winter's night.

I do my best to carry you and your burdens without complaint,
and patiently wait for your return.
Please don't get angry with me if I question
what it is that you want me to do.
Just try and understand my world as I must try to understand yours.

Finally, O Master, when my useful strength is gone,
do not turn me out alone to fend for myself,
or send me to some unknown fate;
but do thou my Master, take my life in the kindest way.
And may God reward you for caring enough to see me to the end.

All I ask are these few things,
in the name of Him, who was born in as stable.
                                                    Amen

        --Author Unknown
 

There's a lot to consider before buying a horse.  They can live to 30 years or more.  The horse depends upon its owner for love and care.  As a breeder, I have chosen a select market of people who view the horses they purchase from me as companion animals first.  The horse they buy is part of their family.

My choice in my target market is not intended to say that the way others market their horses wrong.  I can only answer for my actions, what I can live with and what makes me happy in my work.

Aside from the fact that the horse is a living creature, I believe I turn out a good product.  The foals are imprinted at birth and handled every day.  They lead, pick up their feet, clip, load and bathe with at least moderate consistency by weaning.  They get lots of attention from everyone who works on the farm and are exposed to as many "scary" things as possible to desensitize them. 

I like horses who can be affectionate and physical without hurting people.  I allow foals and horses into people's space if they stand patiently and don't push us over.  Horses and foals can touch our faces, clothes and bodies with their muzzles, but must not use their teeth.  Kicking, biting and any other dangerous behavior is strictly reprimanded.  

The boundaries I ask my horses to maintain is a finer line than a lot of horse people, but I want to show a lot of physical attention to my horses and I want them to feel they can show affection to me and other people.

All horses are in excellent physical condition.  They are fed a nutritionally balanced diet that is appropriate for their age and current condition.  They receive adequate exercise and have shelter available.  All horses are checked at least twice daily at feeding for anything that might be wrong with them.  Horses are current on their vaccinations and wormer.  Most important, I have loyal, competent helpers in the barn who love horses and care about their welfare as much as I do.

All of us on the farm try to see that the horses' emotional needs are met as well.  We love 'em up a lot!  We watch how they get along with others and make sure they are in a pasture where they are happy.  We spend time petting, brushing and playing with them.  We use gentle natural training methods to enlist the horse's cooperation in training.

We even do some things that might be considered a little "out there" by some folks such as animal communication and using horses as wellness facilitators for people and other animals.

People who buy my horses would share much of my philosophy about horses and ownership.  The horses I sell are intended to find as permanent of homes as one can possibly hope for.

When prospective clients visit the farm in search of their horse, I want them to spend time getting to know different horses.  Often the horse a person is initially attracted to is not the one they buy.  Ultimately, I want them to buy a horse that thrills them.  I want the sale to be a good match for the person and the horse.

3.  Follow up Support

My sales don't stop at the sale.  I stand behind the horses I sell.  If for some reason a horse doesn't work out, I help the owner to sell the horse or may even buy it back.  Again, ultimately it is the horse's welfare that I am considering.

I want to know where the horses I sold are and how they are doing.  I'm looking for buyers who will provide a permanent or very long-term home for the horse.

For the horses I sell that are young, I often have young owners.  To help support them in their purchase, I have horse training programs and riding lessons available that allow them to grow as riders and caretakers while their horse learns how to be a good companion.  Purchasers of young horses that are local can ride other more experienced horses in the barn free until they and their horse are ready for each other.

Those associated with the farm may participate in training programs offered. Young horses especially need a consistent method of training.  It is important for the owner to give the same signals already taught successfully.  

Customers also become part of a network.  There are lots of people with lots of connections associated with the farm.  Knowing some other people helps local customers know where to buy tack and supplies, who can trailer a horse, how to get involved in 4-H and local shows, who can care for your horse if you are on vacation and much more valuable information.

Sometimes circumstances change in people's lives to the extent that they feel they cannot keep their beloved horse as they intended.  In many cases, this is the time when a horse is most vulnerable because people look for a quick sale to ease a desperate situation.

With a network of people, maybe one doesn't have to sell the horse.  Maybe with a network of like minded people, there's a solution that allows a person to get through the crisis and keep their horse.  If the horse does need to be sold, perhaps there's someone in this network who will buy the horse.  Someone the seller knows and trusts.  Someone who will allow the seller to visit the horse if they want to.

Again, my goal is the welfare of the horse.  They depend on us.  Many have commented that they like my "all in one" approach.  One stop shopping.  My business continues to evolve and become more clearly defined by the people who seek out my horses and related services.

4.  Giving Back

Not all animals have the good fortune to have caring and compassionate owners.  I try to help the less fortunate animals as I can by participating in programs such as the local feral cat program which spays/neuters cats and vaccinates them.  Many of them would otherwise be destroyed, but these cats have a place in my barn as mousers.  They have food and shelter and are free to come and go because they are wild, not pets.

Some of my boarders purchased rescue horses.  Some of these horses were on their way to slaughter and were not in good shape physically.  My facilities are such that a horse that needs medical attention can receive proper care.

There are other animals on the farm -- birds, dogs and cats.  Most of them were unwanted by others and have found a loving home here.  As long as I have the means, I will do my best to insure that all animals in my care live the life they were intended to have and know they are valuable creatures of light and love. 

I believe all life deserves respect.  The ultimate desire of all creatures beyond survival is to love and be loved.  That is the ultimate lesson for all of us.  Animals teach us a lot.  If people could be as good as the animals, the world would be a better place.  They are divine messengers from God. Our angels on earth.  My goal is to be a good facilitator.  To help people and animals connect for the ultimate good of both.

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your family and helping your reach your dreams and goals regarding your horse program.  Call anytime to make an appointment to book a special event, or to see Magic and the other fine horses of Black Forest Farm, LLC.