We have selected our breeding stock carefully, with disposition, gait, conformation and type being the most important characteristics. A smooth ride is what we’re all after- but we are very particular- we are after an evenly timed, four beat saddle gait. Conformation is important because we want our horses to be sound throughout their lives. Whether you choose to take these horses on an all-day trail ride, a pack trip into the mountains, show them or work them on your farm, we want our horses to stay sound, happy and have a life-long bond with their human partners.

2022 Bernice: Maple Squirrels Legacy Son x (Brownie) MMR’s Special Moment

Bernice- a gentle, 7 year old grade RMH mare

Bernice is a 2015 chocolate-cream mare. She stands about 14.3HH. She is currently at my Amish trainer and has 30 days of training, with 30 more to go. She is gentle, stands well for saddling, is most comfortable on the trails and good on the roads. She is still a little shy in town or when around new buildings- she just needs some more time to gain her confidence. She has the classic saddle gait of the Rocky Mountain Horse- and bonus– she has some speed to her! Her gait is as natural to her as it comes–with a light touch on the reins and only a snaffle bit is needed. Since she has finished growing, this is the gait she will have the rest of her life. Her gait is as natural to her as breathing. Because her gait is so nice, I’ve made a short educational video analyzing her gait in slow motion.

Bernice’s Backstory: Bernice was one of the first foals born on the farm, and has been here her whole life. I wanted to hang onto her to see what kind of gait my stallion threw. Sonny is so natural at gaiting, I felt like it probably wouldn’t matter what kind of mare he was bred to– I suspected I would still get a great gait. MMR’s Special Moment-her dam, is a registered rocky mountain horse, and you can see her pictures below. MMR’s special moment was very well gaited, but the gait she offered up was a foxtrot. If I really pushed her, I could get a few strides of the classic rocky saddle gait out of her, but a saddle rack was not natural to her. Rather than try to force a wonderful, gentle mare to do a gait she was not born to do, I found a great home for the mare. I hung onto her daughter and I sure am glad that I did. WOW– what a gait! Give us a call if you are interested in getting to know this mare better.

Alumni of Sentinel Oak Farm:

**2021 stud colt by Maple Squirrel’s Legacy Son and out of McGuire’s Carbonara.**

Rich has found a home and will move to Iowa after he is weaned! Congratulations Jackie on your lovely boy- we hope you have many years on the trails with him!

Rich, as we call him, is an excellent example of the Rocky Mountain Horse. He has the SUPER FRIENDLY rocky personality, conformationally correct in every way, and gaits at liberty. As a bonus, he is very typy, exhibiting that Rocky Mountain Horse look that you want to see. The short back, large rear end, with a classic saddle horse angle to his hip, good length to his legs, wide set eyes, with a diamond shaped forehead, foxtipped ears, almond shaped eye, long upper lip and a tea-cup chin. Finally, Rich has a medium set to his neck on a well angled shoulder. His older brother was so nice, we have kept him as a stallion prospect. This one looks to be even better!

Alumni of Sentinel Oak Farm:

“Fritz” aka, Sentinel Oaks Francis Nelson

Fritz has found a home in Wisconsin!

Fritz, 2016 chocolate colt by Maple Squirrel’s Legacy Son out of Artemesia’s Sage. An excellent example of the old time Rocky Mountain Horse, with a stout conformation, nice sloping shoulder, muscular hindquarters, good bone and pretty head, Fritz should mature between 14.2-15 hands. Fritz has his sire’s laid back attitude coupled with a natural curiosity. Stands tied quietly, accepts the farrier and leads well. An excellent using horse prospect, should be suited for driving or riding. Shows a lovely Rocky Mountain Horse gait in the field.

Fritz’s Pedigree

Fritz at 10 days.
Fritz- by Sonny out of Sage
Fritz at 3 months
Fritz under saddle on trail. What a looker!

Brownie

Brownie (MMR’s Special Moment), is a chocolate creme mare sired by Mission’s Blue Cappucino out of a Maple’s Squirrel daughter. She is one of the most gentle mares I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Truly, she is a gentle soul. Very smooth gaited.

Brownie found a life long home with our friends Debbie and Bill. We hope you have many miles on the trails with her!