Here are two of the
reasons behind our miniature donkey adventure... Francis and my grandfather, James E. Lucas
in the 1960's! His love of animals has been handed down through the generations, so it's
a great honor for me to be continuing the Lucas tradition of breeding and raising horses
and ponies. We know without a doubt that the added mix of miniature donkeys would make my
grandparents smile!
"Shorecrest
Pony Farm" was established in the mid 1950's between Jersey Shore and Williamsport
in peaceful central Pennsylvania. James E. and Dorothy M. Lucas (my grandparents!) raised
Welsh and Shetland ponies which they successfully showed for many years. Eventually, the
pony farm turned into a breeding farm that my father began looking after upon my grandfather's
retirement in th 1980's. Although the herd has been cut down drastically over the years,
he still maintains a Welsh stallion and a handful of Shetland/Welsh mares on the original
farm. He normally is able to offer a few foals each year, and sometimes crosses an Arabian
mare or two to produce Welsh/Arab crosses that grow to a wonderful size for children.
My dad was fortunate enough growing up to be constantly surrounded by animals, including
two miniature donkeys. The first donkey to reside at Shorecrest Pony Farm was a small grey
dun jennet named Jessica who unfortunately died at a young age. A few years later, another
miniature donkey was brought to the farm -- Francis. She was purchased in Elmira, New York
and had lived her life working in a ring at a kiddy park. Francis became the pony farm's
mascot. She came and went freely in and out of the pasture and spent a lot of time greeting
visitors in the yard and driveway. Often times she relaxed in the shade standing underneath
my grandfather's tractor trailers, and in her spare time, she enjoyed giving all the grandchildren
donkey rides around the yard.
Knowing how fondly my dad remembered those first
two donkeys, my mom and I decided to give him a donkey for father's day in 1999. We ended
up finding a small local breeder and purchased two grey yearling donkeys, Barney, and his
half sister, Firecracker, who my dad later renamed "Jessica"
in remembrance of the very first miniature donkey that was brought into his life. It didn't
take long for me to fall in love with the donkeys myself. I soon began looking around for
more, and more, and more!! Our miniature donkey herd has since gone from two, to thirty-two
and counting.
We invite you to have a look around our website and meet some of
the wonderful animals that call Shorecrest Farms home. Better yet, give us a call and come
by to meet them in person. Visitors are always welcome! We may just have your next best
friend!
~
Tracie
