"Never heard of them", "what good are they?" "Can you eat them?", "do they give milk?', "how big are they?", "where do you get them?". These are some of the reactions I get when I tell people of my new and exciting project, raising Miniature Cattle. For most of my life I have been involved with horses, the last twenty in the sport of endurance and competitive trail. Have traveled from one side of the continent to other competing states and provinces. Was fortunate to compete in several North American Championships (100 miles-one day) and took my horse to Den Haag, Holland to ride in the World Equestrian Games. I live in Nova Scotia, for those of you who have never heard of it (and there were many in my travels) it is a Canadian province on the Atlantic coast. I would tell people to look at a map, find Maine, keep looking north, that is where I live.

My interest in bovines is relatively new. Prior to discovering miniatures, cattle were something that would make my horses shy to the other side of the road as I was out conditioning for competitions, or the main ingredient in a hamburger. Should add that I do not eat much beef and could not imagine chowing down on Annabelle, Corabelle, or any other of my cattle. Presently, at "The Little Cattle Co." there are seven bovines and one equine. Five Belmonts^TM and two Irish Dexters (6 females and 1 male). Black Jack, my amazing little bull was 22 inches at birth and now stands about 34". Having very little experience with cattle, I think Jack is a little different as he is very vocal, talking to me and visitors every time we go visit with them. A beef farmer who saw Jack last summer and again this year said "I knew he wouldn't amount to much", I took that as a real compliment. Annabelle (my favorite cow) was 24" at birth and is now about 36" is very pretty having a beautiful head and a great disposition (as they all do). In August Annabelle and Black Jack became the proud parents to a gorgeous brown heifer. Corabelle came into the world at 17" and about 25 pounds. She is the star of the farm and as one visitor said, she would like to take Corabelle home and rock her. I have two other Belmont heifers, Dorabelle and Isabelle, both bred to Jack for 2002. Two Irish Dexters found a new home with me this summer. One a brown cow is bred Irish Dexter and her black heifer is bred to Jack for another Belmont in 2002. The cattle have become a great source of enjoyment, both showing them to others or just watching them going about their daily routine of eating, resting and playing. Plans for the future include promoting my miniature Belmonts^TM at county exhibitions, possibly specialty shows, 4-H events, who knows where they may end up!

A new barn is being completed to accommodate my expanding herd. I have decided that since I will not be able to keep all my cattle, Corabelle and perhaps one or two of the bred heifers will be put up for sale. If interested in any of my cattle please contact me. I am currently having a web site designed and hope to have it up and running soon. If anyone is planning to visit Nova Scotia I would be glad to have you over for coffee, show you my cattle and discuss one of my favorite topics.

Baby Corabelle 17 inches and 25 pounds at Birth	Great Nephew - First time around cattle, lives in city.