Just last month, I had the pleasure of hosting a fun, educational “meet and greet” the Tarpan horses with a group of RappatHome members. Unfortunately there are many people, even dedicated horse lovers, who have never heard of the breed. We are blessed to have had, until 2019 when Helen Dixon passed away, the largest breeding herd of Tarpans in the United States right here in Rappahannock county, Virginia. The herd has since been downsized, but there is still a great representation of young, teenage, and senior aged stallions, brood mares, and geldings happily residing at Dixie Meadows. The group met many of them up close and personal, and was enamored with how well the young stallions behaved, and especially enjoyed Cremesicle, our crème colored stallion who is six years old and still has no idea he is a stallion. His coloring is the result of a double recessive gene making him even more unique.
The group learned about the unique characteristics of the breed, what is being done to help preserve the breed, and how they can get involved if interested. Our website (here) has information regarding the breed’s history, where else you can meet Tarpan horses, and how to make a donation to our 501 (c)3 non-profit. Every little bit helps…
If you would like to set up an actual in person visit, feel free to contact Debbie @ tarpangal3@gmail.com. Sharing these incredible Tarpan horses with humans is both her passion, and her greatest joy!
Debbie is proud to have imprinted a cohort of these horses born in 2019. She understands and appreciates the importance of the horse/human "relationship", which begins the moment their little hooves hit the ground. At the moment, her Tarpan horse Magic is happily enjoying a social and learning life with Darrith Russell, at Bearfoot Ranch.
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