About the Founders:

Margie and Mike's journey began when they got their first two donkeys - Spirit and his son Jericho. At the time, Spirit was a 4-year-old who had never been handled and Jericho was just a 6-month-old mule. They absolutely adore their stubborn little mule. Though they both love getting treats and having their noses in everything happening around the ranch, they prefer not to be handled. These guys are now 7 (Spirit) and 3 (Jericho) years old.

Next, they purchased Xena, their 7-year-old Princess Warrior who had been rescued by her previous owners. She's a shy one-person girl who just kind of goes with the flow. They then got Izzy and Rosie: 7 and 8-year-old Jennies. They originally went to pick up one, but due to the substandard conditions they found them in they felt drawn to take them both. These two sisters (Izzy and Rosie) who were once glued to each other have become happy, nosey, attention loving donkeys.

Peanut, their 14-year-old "pasture papa" and Lavender Lace were later arrivals to the ranch. Lavender Lace is their beautiful 12-year-old paint & the alpha mare of the bunch.

They have had two babies born on the farm: two-year-old Stokie Boy (Rosie's baby) and Fancy May (Xena's one year-old filly). Stokie Boy is the first to come running up when they head to the pasture, demanding all of their attention. Fancy May, or May May, was born 6 weeks early in the middle of the night. Lavender Lace stole her from Mama Xena, so she wasn't getting her much-needed colostrum and had she not gotten to the vet when she did, she wouldn't have survived past her first day. Now they are lucky to have a sassy little girl who takes no guff from the others.

After having acquired their 9 equine and talking to others, they realized there are a lot of equines in need. So many hurting at the hands of negligent or ill-equipped owners. Seeing some of these equines passed from home to home due to becoming more work than anticipated, loss of interest or lack of funds was heartbreaking. They believe these equine all deserve love and though they can't help them all, they are determined to save as many as they can and thus the nonprofit 501(c)(3) MSM Ranch Mini Equine Rescue was started.