Foxwillow Farm

Farm History

oldmtnview1.jpg
1959- View overlooking what is now our main horse pasture from the top of the mountain.

In The Beginning...

Violet Hill Farm was established in 1959 by my grandparents. My grandmother was born on a farm in Latvia and my grandfather spent much of his childhood on a farm. After many years of grueling city life they decided it was time for a return to country life. They searched far and wide until they found the perfect place. It was only a hundred miles from New York City and only five minutes from the brand new quickway so my grandfather would be able to continue working and spend his weekends in his new found paradise. They raised chickens, ducks, pigs, and cattle (both for milk and beef) as well as a large bountiful garden for themselves. My mother, aunt, and uncles spent many a glorious summer exploring the hills and partaking of natures bounty. There were acres of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries,strawberries and a wonderful old orchard.

As the years went by and the family grew, my cousins and I continued the mountain exploration and pitched in right along with the rest of the family. It was a wonderful way to grow up.

***Visit my new blog about the day to day living on a small farm. I will be adding entries covering everything from the farm's multifaceted history to happenings that turn an oridinary day into a memorable one. Go to http://www.violethillfarmarabians.com/farmlife/ for more.***

Home | Farm History | Meet The People Of Foxwillow | Stallions | Reference Sires from our Arabian Program | Mr Renegades Go Boy-MFT Stallion | Cotton Eyed Joe Y | Missouri Foxtrotter Mares | Sale Page 1 | Riding Horses For Sale | Paso Finos | 2005 Foals | 2006 Foals | 2007 Foals | 2008 Foals | 2009 Foals | 2010 Foals | 2011 Foals | 2012 Foals | 2013 Foals | 2014 Foals | 2015 Foals | 2016 Foals | 2017 Foals | Kids And Horses- New Pics! | NEWS | AKC Boxer Dogs | 2006 Boxer Pups For Sale | 2007 AKC Boxer Puppies for Sale | 2009Boxer Pups For Sale | Greener Pastures | Links | NEW! Favorite Photos | Favorite Photos 2 | Favorite Pics 3-NEW!! | Favorite Pics 4-NEW!!

olddadtractor1.jpg
1960 something- My grandfather Robert Didrich driving his brand new Ford 3000 tractor.

History Repeats Itself......

I consider myself very lucky to have had the oppurtunity to grow up on a farm. There was always some activity going on. We learned responsibility and good old fashioned morals and enjoyed both the benefits (and trials) of growing up with an extended family. I'm sure this is the reason I'm such an old fashioned girl at heart. Not everyone loved it as much as I did. My grandfather (who sadly passed on before being able to see our success) and Aunt Willa were two who did and still do. Our family is a lot smaller now than it once was but the desire to preserve the farm is still very important to both myself and my Aunt Willa as well as our spouses who understand what this farm means to us. God willing we will be able to keep it in the family for generations to come.

I left home the same as all the other kids but was soon drawn back to the beautiful mountain meadows I called home. Although we hadn't farmed since just before my grandmother died in 1985 I had always had a few horses. I was born with a passion for horses that none before me seemed to have. Farming yes but horses no. In 1995 shortly I began breeding Arabian horses and Boxer dogs. In the beginning this was only a sideline because I worked off the farm. Now it has become the main focus.

Although we strive to produce show quality stock they live life as nature intended. Our horses spend most of their time outdoors except during foaling, severe weather and the occasional illness, living life to the fullest . They eat healthy diets, socialize, play, scratch, and build muscle in the gently rolling pastures. They live life as nature intended. They are never mishandled and are always treated with the utmost respect and care.

This is truly a family run operation where even the youngest pitch in. One of the greatest benefits has been being able to be together as a family (although we don't take too many vacations!) and learning to live in harmony with the world around us.

My dream is to maintain the farm- and hopefully my horse breeding program- for both myself and future generations. In addition to Arabians we will be adding a small Rocky Mountain Horse breeding program in the near future. I have found the Rocky Mountain Horses to have similar dispositions to my beloved Arabians and they are one of the most ideal trail horses. The added bonus of gait make them the perfect riding partner for the horseback rider who has physical limitations as well.

I will always be grateful to my grandfather, Robert Didrich, who was the inspiration and founder of Violet Hill Farm- without him my dreams of having a horse farm might never have come to fruition. Another person without whom none of this would be possible is my Aunt Willa who has always supported the farm in times of need. She has always understood the value of the family farm. Family farming is becoming more of a rarity then the norm. In this day and age it is only through the coperation of the entire family that it can be kept growing.

The farm name may have changed but the premise remains the same. Foxwillow will continue on where Violet Hill left off- as a small but quality breeder of Arabian horses, Boxer dogs and now Missouri Foxtrotters.

khedanceandedenweb1.jpg
My youngest ddaughter Eden- the future of Foxwillow Farm.


Foxwillow Farm
PO Box 79
Livingston Manor, NY 12758
(845) 798-0083
 

DogsPet Supplies
PuppiesDog Pictures
DogDog Collars