NorthPine Equine is owned and operated
by Deb and Steve Kovac. The original Massachusetts farm was purchased over twenty years ago by
the Kovacs as newly weds. Deb had owned horses since she was 10 years
old, and wasn't about to give them up when she got married. Over
the decades, horses came and went, as well as activities. From
traditional huntseat shows, hunter paces, 4-H shows and clubs,
gymkhana (barrel racing), dressage and eventing to the unconventional
donkeys shows, Deb enjoys all facets of teaching and peforming.
The small farm housed as many as 14 equine during summer camps. o currently owned by the Kovacs.
No More Horses
There are no longer any horses at NorthPine Equine. Only donkeys and an occasional mule.
Why? Donkeys fit our lifestyle. They retain lessons forever. If
we needed to take months off for health reasons, the donkeys won't be
set back in their training. We can train a donkey at our own
leisure, no concerns about them forgetting what we taught them even
though it could be weeks or even months before we had time to get back
to their schooling. They are perfect for the working person.
The LOOOONG Story
Years ago health issues began robbing Deb of her energy and ambition.
An undiagnosed llness left Deb feeling insecure and exhausted. Riding
used to be a thrill and it slowly became a nerve wrecking
experience. Years of confidence on horseback simply melted away. Her
dressage horse sat idle out in the barn. Being a high strung show
horse, he required constant work to keep his mind sane. Deb no
longer had energy to commit to such matters.
Years earlier donkeys had stolen Deb's heart. A weanling foal
came to live at the farm, but since Deb was pregnant and the foal was a
handful, she opted to give "Whiz" to a good friend. "Whiz" came to
visit when his owner went away on her honey moon, and Deb trained him
to drive. After Deb's son was born she purchased a nice standard jack
named "Bo" whom she adored. Unfortunately, due to the need for space,
he had to be sold to make room for boarders. Years later, Philip,
Deb's son, fell in love with a standard sized jenny. "Gazelle" came to
live with the Kovac family and she foaled a beautiful spotted
jenny foal they named "Lancia". Both Lancia and Gazelle travelled
to many shows with the Kovac family. Not only donkey shows, but horse
shows as well, where Philip showed "Lancia" in 4-H Fitting and
Showmanship classes.
All the while, Deb kept her home grown show horse in hopes of riding
occasionally. But working with donkeys was intriguing, they proved to
be intelligent, willing and amazingly retentive. Having joined
the
American Donkey & Mule Society
and receiving their magazine, Deb fell in love with the idea of a
donkey big enough for her to ride. A Mammoth Donkey. In 2002 Deb parted
with the last of her horses, and set her sights on locating a donkey
large enough to ride for long periods of time. A green gelding named
"Apollo" needed a new home and so he came to live and become a very
large part of the Kovac family. Deb and Apollo travelled to the
ADMS Nationals in 2003, with just a few months of training, and won all
of the green donkey undersaddle classes. They took home the Reserve
Champion trophy for Green Donkey. Had they owned a cart and harness who
knows, perhaps he would have been champion. For more about
Apollo and all of his accomplishments, check out his website.
Apollo and Deb spend a great deal of time travelling and educating people about the wonderful qualities of donkeys.
Deb Kovac 404-585-1277
dkovac@NorthPineEquine.com
located in Loganville, GA
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©
2007-2010
Debra Kovac
