Chantal-Michelle Maidment Holt and husband Frank live on acreage just outside of Barriere in Louis Creek with their special miniature companion horse, Penny, three large horses, two dogs and their family cats.
Holt is a medical administrative assistant for Interior Health for both Barriere and Clearwater Medical Centres and her husband commutes to Kamloops daily working for Douglas Lake Equipment.
Holt is involved in equestrian showing in the categories of Western and English Pleasure, Western and English Dressage and the Ranch Horse category on the light horse side. As a couple, the Holts organize the annual lawnmower races at the North Thompson Fall Fair each year.
Sharing her love for their special miniature 18-year-old comfort or companion horse, Penny, is something dear to Holt, evident when she speaks so fondly of the little buddy to her larger horses.
“Penny is pretty special. When one of our larger horses is healing from an injury or under the weather, we put Penny in with that horse in the barn and she is such a comfort to them and helps to keep them calm while getting better.”
According to Horse Canada , miniature horses can be traced back to the 1600s in Europe with an average life span from 25-35 years and are quite hardy. Although these horses are usually too small to be ridden, they can be used to pull carts and shown in a variety of events such as jumping, halter classes, obstacle courses, and costume classes. Often mini horses are used successfully as therapy or companion animals like Penny.
You may have seen Penny during local events but she is mostly a homebody these days and enjoys her time in Louis Creek “being spoiled along with all of our animals,” says Holt.
During this cold-snap with temps nearing -30C, the Holts decided it was time to “put all the horses in their ‘jammies’ (horse blankets) and they are warm and snug” being pampered or “spoiled,” says Holt.
The farm family consists of Major the family Quarter-Horse Paint, JJ (Jeepers Jr.) a Quarter Horse, and Roxy, a Draft Cross who is shown during the North Thompson Fall Fair along with two dogs - Goldens, Athena and Cassandra, and not to forget, cats Zues and Xena.
“We love our life here with our animals. I couldn’t resist sending in a photo of Penny in her ‘jammies’ to share with her frozen lashes enjoying the winter weather in spite of the cold. She is a very special companion to her buddies and we admit, they are all just a bit spoiled.”
