Betty, Barbara and Melissa are still at it.....

  It all started four generations ago, in 1916, when Betty's father, a skilled trainer of horses, drove 90 head he had raised and trained, from Illinois to Minnesota, where he sold them. Later, while living in a coal mining district in Illinois, he rehabilitated the little coal mining ponies. That's when, how and where Betty was introduced to horses.

    The family loved these little animals and they became loving pets. That is how it all started 85 years ago. Jack Dillon taught his daughter about horses and in 1940  Betty married  Bob and he joined the family business of raising and training horses along the same lines as Jack Dillon. The method is now days promoted as "Horse Whispering" by movies and media was actually common day training to Jack and Bob.

                         Barbara received a double dose of the horse lover gene. She rode and drove various horses through her childhood and into adulthood. Barbara raised Appaloosas and Quarter Horses showing them in shows, fairs and rodeos. 

            Time moved forward and in 1962 the family purchased Snippie's Red Rose - Reg #95634, bred by Dr R.C.Humphrey of Hamilton, MO. She was a red sorrel with a lighter mane and tail. She appears in the early registry books of the AMHR (American Miniature Horse Registry). She was the first "mini" the family owned.

  Melissa, born to a long line of horse people, followed suit as well. Born riding a horse (almost literally since Barbara rode during her pregnancy), she brought the next mini to the family - a gelding named StarStruck Firestarter, who was followed by the foundation mare of Highland Hills - StarStruck Uptown Girl thus adding her own abilities in helping the family in the business of raising, training and breeding quality miniature horses.

    At Highland Hill's you will see only a minimum number of little horses because it is our belief that it is the quality not the quantity of the miniatures on our place that is important.

   You will also see roaming our pasture Barbara's Quarter Horse Gelding -"Dustin" and Melissa's Tennessee Walker mare Aspen (above with Melissa riding her) And if you look carefully you may even catch a glimpse of Betty driving one around in the cart.

   Our minis are bred for performance. All are trained to cart.

   Our animals are cared for lovingly by the family from the day they are born and handled quite extensively. They are quiet and well mannered. Here is William(now owned by Debbie Trindle) being driven by Betty's older daughter Bonnie. Bonnie has had surgery on her spine and is unable to ride the large horses. Betty is leading Chenterra Cordero behind them (he is a 28" stallion now owned by Debbie Trindle). They are driving in the 4th of July Parade in LaCyne, KS 2001.

   Along with the love for horses come the love for all God's 4 legged creatures and you will find a nice Brangus cattle herd and Pygmy goats as well as cats and dogs. Our cattle have taken over and the Minis have gone by the wayside. But enjoy everything we have to offer! 

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