There is a place in this world where a mighty river pounds through the mountain canyons over rocks, boulders and beaches. That same powerful life giving force flows through the history books where it changed civilization forever. This place can only be found in the Mother Lode!

Just a few miles from the Marshall Gold Discovery site in Coloma California there is a ranch unlike any you may find anywhere else. Overlooking the South Fork of the American River and the forested mountains to the south, Dennis and Jan Haney have made their own 'Mother Lode'-the Half Measures Ranch-and the inhabitants of this ranch are as beautiful as their surroundings.

On this 30 acre parcel over 50 miniature horses graze the mountainside and play in the meadows. These Grand Champion and National Champion horses are the pride and joy of the Haneys.

Tiny and elegant, miniature horses were first bred over 400 years ago in Europe for the children of royalty. In the 1800s, these unique horses were imported to North America for use in the mines. Today, they are free from working in the dank and often dangerous caves and have turned to pulling a dressed cart with a passenger from time to time.

The Haneys began this venture around Easter of 1990. They were building their home in Coloma when they discovered these fine animals. In the beginning, they decided to raise five mares for a hobby. Now almost nine years later, they have over 50 horses; mares, foals, stallions, and geldings. These horses have won hundreds of awards and trophies.

One horse in particular, Grandpa's Gambling Man, a fourteen year old stallion, has won hundreds of awards all by himself, including Grand Champion and National Champion Pleasure Driving Stallions. Now this prize winner is one of the founding sires of the champion line of horses that reside at Half Measures Ranch.

The Haneys said, "We had no idea that we would be breeding miniature horses when we sold our El Dorado Hills home. We wanted to move to the country and run our construction company out of our home. We had some horses when we moved to our Coloma ranch but they were Appaloosas."

Walking along the property, it is a joy to watch the colts and fillies playing alongside their dams. These amazing horses have all the beauty and mystique of their larger cousins. Haneys' answer to why he became so involved with miniature horses? "After we raised the first five we fell in love with them. The horses became so much more than just a hobby, they were a big part of our lives. We want to raise miniature horses for a living. Unfortunately, I get so attached to the horses that they are hard to sell."

According to Haney, "We show these horses all over the United States and they are registered with numerous horse associations, including the AMHA and the AMHR. There are two clubs locally that they belong to, NorCal and Sierra Valley Miniature Horse Clubs. The horses have participated in the Christmas Parade and Coloma Days. Normally they are shown in horse and carriage just as if it were the 1800s."

You can be sure you'll be hearing and seeing a lot more about the Haneys' horses in the future. They can be found at just about any miniature horse show, adorned with ribbons and surrounded by trophies. (Their main barn is more ribbons than wall space!)

Once again Coloma is a place for history. A new beginning for the Haneys and their majestic miniature horses. A discovery on the rich banks of the American River for this wonderful couple that means as much to them as gold did to Marshall.

Article modified and republished with permission from The County Times & Review. Original article published by County Times & Review, written by Ski Gutowsky, Feburary 2, 1996.