|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
We are located in the green Northwestern United States, Vancouver, Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Moderate year round temperatures and rainfall provide the horses with lush pasture. Access to excellent hay in eastern Washington and Oregon provides outstanding nutrition for foals and broodmares.
<<Moonstruck Meadows began with the purchase of acreage in Vancouver, Washington in 1996. Fencing and kennels were built and the first horse arrived in 1998. This was a happy home for over seven years, but we didn't realize our perfect home was yet to come ...
|
|
In 2004 a new 10 acre home was purchased in La Center, Washington. It is a dream come true. With a covered riding arena and nine stall barn Moonstruck has a facility to house all their horses in one place at last. >> Covered dog runs were built and improvements on the stall barn were made including redoing all the runs with mud proof materials. The last of the clearing and new fencing will be complete in 2008. At that time we will have a fully mud proof 1.5 acre "sacrifice area" for our horses during the winter, which includes a 20' x 60' covered area; five lush pastures fenced with either horse-safe mesh fencing or pole fencing; and our lighted, covered arena with a 6 foot wall and luxurious footing for our horses. Our horse housing and arena looking from our home. >>
|
 |
 |
Moonstruck has built it's small, quality broodmare band to six
pure Spanish Andalusian mares,
five of which are Inscribed or Revised with the Cria Caballar (PRE). In
2008 we are expecting three PRE foals and will be breeding three PRE mares for
2009. <<Our mares quietly eating their breakfast. |
|
Each mare at Moonstruck has been carefully selected or bred to be a good mother, a quality producer, a sound horse with a good mind, a riding horse to enjoy in any chosen area, and most importantly your best friend. Catalina with her 2005 filly, Camille. >> |
 |
 |
Southwest Washington generally has mild weather year
round with lots of rainfall. However, we can be surprised with
snow, weeks of cold and freezing weather, extreme heat, and very
occasionally, an unusual tornado or mild earthquakes. We live in
the shadow of Mt St Helens, an active volcano. We are
approximately 50 miles from the mountain and all volcanic activity in
the past has moved off to the east or west. All things considered,
it is a beautiful area to live in. Actually, Oregon and Washington
are considered to be two of the safest states to life in.
<<Tornado sky, Aug 2005. Although spectacular, quite frightening for animals and humans. |
|
A fairytale landscape to raise fairytale horses ... |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
My first purebred dog was "Kuda", a Dalmatian that was a gift in my junior year of high school. Kuda was also my first American Kennel Club (AKC) titled dog with a C.D. (Companion Dog) obedience title. I have been breeding, showing and training purebred dogs since 1978. My dogs travel with me, go to work with me and have shared my best and worst moments. These wonderful furry friends have accumulated numerous Championships and Herding Group wins in conformation in the U.S. and Canada. Several of these dogs also earned working titles in herding, obedience and agility. Kuda and Carla, 1975 |
 |
 |
|
 |
My earliest recollection of horses
was at three years of age when I clambered on the bare back of
my first horse "Old Bill". He was a wonderful, patient
horse that taught both my sister and me to ride. My childhood
was filled with many memories of riding through the juniper and
sagebrush in eastern Oregon. There were playdays (gymkahna) and
4-H clubs mounted on safe and sane horses carefully selected by
my parents. There was "Suzie" after Old Bill - a Paint/Welsh
cross. After I outgrew Suzie there was "Little Red"
a stout and patient Quarter Horse gelding. After a move to Eagle,
Idaho in my junior year of high school I found "Skid",
a young Quarter Horse gelding, and had my first experience at
starting a young horse. <<Carla and Skid, 1978 |
|
|
|
|
In the early '80's I purchased my first purebred Arabian and began riding in competitive Endurance and breeding Arabians. Three years later, a change in career sent me to Seattle, Washington and took me out of horses in one way and into horses in another. I was offered the opportunity as a Business and Breeding Manager at an Arabian training facility with Greg Knowles, who became my mentor and good friend. During the 4 years with Greg I became a proficient stallion handler and horse business manager. Our head stallion at Arabian Expressions, Gold Krugerand, bred nearly 70 mares in one season with a 95% conception rate. This breeding experience has been invaluable for breeding my own mares at Moonstruck Meadows.
Since 1988 I have been working as the Financial/Risk Manager for a shipyard in Portland, Oregon. (See dmipdx.com)While working full time I finished my Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, at Portland State University in 1996. My education was heavy in biology, along with some genetics, which gave me a solid background for understanding breeding and genetics in dogs and horses. Carla and Gold Kruggerand, 1984>> |
 |
 |
Now my most enjoyable times are spent riding beautiful horses in fabulous Northwest settings and bringing up foals and puppies to share with other families. I feel very fortunate to have these special animals in my life and some of my best friends are the result of them finding their soul mate at Moonstruck. <<Carla and Lexi, 1992 Carla and Carrera, 1991 |
 |
 |
After many years of riding for pleasure and trying my hand at Endurance riding, I have finally found my form of riding - Dressage. In 2004 I showed Catalina and Renata in First Level Dressage along with some other fun events including a competitive trail ride and an open Andalusian shows in the Northwest. In 2005 I showed Salsa, our first home-bred horse to hit the dressage ring, and we ended up 4th in the nation in Andalusian All Breed standings with US Dressage Federation. I also participated in three regional Andalusian breed shows and came away with several honors for Moonstruck horses. See our Horse Show Results page for details. <<Carla and Catalina, 2004 Carla and Catalina, 2002>> |
 |
 |
Although, I love to ride, I get great reward from breeding my mares and bringing new little horses into the world. They are full of innocence and wonder. All foals are handled regularly, learning new skills and acceptable social behavior. At weaning foals have been trailered, ponied from their dam and understand how to lead and allow handling by the farrier and veterinarian. All training is done quietly and without force, resulting in a foal that trusts humans and enjoys being handled. <<Carla and Honor, 2000 Carla and Foal, 2007>> |
 |
 |
We started breeding Shetland Sheepdogs in 1978. Generally there are two Champion females at Moonstruck who have passed all their health tests and we have one or two litters per year. As of 2007, we have Mina and Zesta. Keeping our breeding program small has allowed us to offer quality, healthy, well socialized companions as special family members.
There was one litter of Bouviers born at Moonstruck and since then we have just enjoyed having one or two Bouviers as guardians and companions.
<<Carla and Mason, 1993
Nephew, Charley Parker, with two happy Shelite pups.>> |
 |
|
In 2006, we acquired our first purebred cat. "Bronte" is a lilac-colored British Shorthair. In one weekend she received her TICA Grand Champion title. We have plans to acquire a 2nd British Shorthair and have a litter of kittens in 2007 or 2008. Bronte at 5 months, 2006>> |
 |
|
Not to be forgotten - the barn cats, a real working crew. Our barn cats receive high quality food and vet care. They are locked up each night in their cat apartment to avoid prowling coyotes. |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Madison |
Peaches |
Lexus |
