Meet the Herd
Every animal here has a story, a personality, and a place in the farm.
The Animals Who Call Hidden Pastures Home
The animals of Hidden Pastures are part of everyday life here. Some came through rescue, some were donated, some were born here, and others arrived because someone believed Hidden Pastures could give them a meaningful place to belong.
They are part of our programs, our work, and our community — but they are never props. Each animal has individual needs, preferences, boundaries, and a voice in how they participate.
Visitors may meet different animals through programs, farm tours, camps, events, volunteer work, or animal visits — but interaction is never guaranteed. An animal’s health, comfort, weather, workload, and daily needs always come first.
Many of the animals below can also be supported through animal sponsorship.
The Horses
The Big Horses
Lucky
Rocky Mountain Horse Mare | 13
Lucky came to Hidden Pastures through the North Texas Humane Society’s Right Horse Right Rider program and is now the clear leader of our pasture.
Firm about her boundaries, Lucky always gets the final choice. She participates in Private Equine-Assisted Learning & Wellbeing Sessions when she chooses to engage.
Mattis
Paint Horse | 10
Mattis was Hidden Pastures’ first adopted horse, coming from the SPCA after a difficult rescue. Seven years later, he is healthy, thriving, and still fully deserving of his call sign: Chaos.
He participates in both Horsemanship & Riding and Private Equine-Assisted Learning & Wellbeing.
Comanche
Paint Horse | 10 | 17 Hands
At about 17 hands, Comanche is hard to miss. He became Katie’s learning horse and is now a staple of our Horsemanship & Riding program.
He has one blue eye, one brown eye, and is usually found with his pasture brother Mattis.
Goose
Quarter Horse | 4 | 14.1 Hands
Known around the farm as Silly Goose, she came to Hidden Pastures as a yearling from the SPCA and has grown into a curious, social little horse.
Goose is a confidence-builder for many riders and a regular part of our Horsemanship & Riding program.
Medusa “Maddie”
Horse | 17
Maddie is one of the newest members of Hidden Pastures and came to us through a community rescue.
She is currently in rehabilitation, with her veterinary care, farrier needs, diet, and comfort coming first. We are taking time to learn who she is before deciding what role, if any, is right for her.
The Mini Horse Family
A Family That Gets to Stay a Family
Buttercup, Peanut, and Lolly came to Hidden Pastures together.
Their previous owner donated them so they could become part of something bigger.
It is unusual for an entire horse family to stay together for life.
Our promise to them is that they will always stay together.
Buttercup
Palomino Miniature Horse | 15
Buttercup is the mom of the mini family and very clearly the boss. She knows what she wants and has no problem telling Peanut or Lolly.
Because of her eye structure, Buttercup requires daily eye care and participates in many Hidden Pastures programs.
Peanut
Paint Miniature Horse | 13
Peanut is the dad of the mini family — calm, confident, spunky, and always looking for something to do.
He participates in many Hidden Pastures programs and is often happiest when something interesting is happening nearby.
Lollypop “Lolly”
Paint Miniature Horse | 7
Lolly is the baby of the family and full of personality.
Spunky, curious, and opinionated, she approaches farm life completely as herself and is hard to miss when the mini family is involved.
The Barnyard
Petunia
Potbellied Pig | Approximately 5
Petunia was originally purchased as a “mini pig.” Then she grew. After being abandoned, she wandered into someone’s backyard, and her journey eventually brought her to Hidden Pastures.
Today, Petunia is more like a very opinionated puppy than most people expect a pig to be. She loves scratches behind her ears and on her belly, and has no problem letting people know when she’s excited to see them — she may grunt, come running, and raise the bristles along her back into her signature piggy mohawk.
Petunia sometimes participates alongside the horses in Private Equine-Assisted Learning & Wellbeing Sessions.
The Cattle
Golden Child “GC”
Highland Bull | 4
GC is hard to miss with his long blonde coat blowing in the wind — beautiful, impressive, and also very much a bull. He helps protect the pasture, loves cattle cubes, and reminds everyone that respecting livestock boundaries is part of farm life.
And yes — watch the horns.
Bonnie
Belted Galloway Cow | 4
Bonnie looks a little like a giant Oreo wandering around the pasture. Her sweet temperament makes her a farm favorite.
When she was younger, Bonnie traveled for off-site educational visits. She has now passed that job along to the next generation.
Rowan
Highland/Galloway Cross | Born at Hidden Pastures
Rowan will turn one in December. Born right here on the farm, he is one of the sweetest young steers you will meet — when he settles down for a nap, he is perfectly happy to have company nearby.
Rowan now participates in educational experiences about cattle.
The Donkeys
Bliss & Luna
Bliss and Luna came to Hidden Pastures together from the SPCA as its livestock division was closing. We do not know whether they are technically related, but they have never needed paperwork to decide they are family.
Together, they are the farm’s bonded aunties and serious pasture protectors, helping discourage coyotes, bobcats, and other unwanted visitors.
Willow
Donkey | 2 | Born at Hidden Pastures
Willow is Bliss’s daughter, born right here on the farm. She’ll usually come over to investigate you, decide that you should pet her, and then follow you for the rest of your visit — possibly across all three acres.
Loyal, curious, protective, and very sweet, Willow participates in several educational programs.
Goats & Sheep
The Goats
Max, Charlie, Lady, Briar & Pepper
Our Nigerian Dwarf goats spend much of their time doing exactly what goats do best: climbing, jumping, head-butting each other, looking for treats, and loudly explaining that they should probably be fed again. They love people — especially people with treats.
Our goats participate in educational programs, farm experiences, Goat-Grams, Community Animal Visits, and other appropriate off-site visits.
The Sheep
Bryn, Anya, Thor, Loki, Olaf & Skadee
Our Dorper and Dorper/Desert-cross sheep are the quieter members of the farm — calm and stoic, although Thor and Loki behave a lot like very large dogs once you find the right scratching spot. They may even wag their tails.
Our sheep participate in educational programs and Animal Visits. Their wool is used for crafts and educational experiences, and sheep milk is used in soap made on the farm.
Feathers & Smaller Friends
Chickens
You will find plenty of chickens around Hidden Pastures. Along with our established flock, we have welcomed chicks from Wylie ISD elementary classrooms after students complete their school hatching projects.
The chickens provide eggs for the farm and participate in educational programs, private experiences, and some Animal Visits.
Squeakers
Duck
Squeakers earned her name honestly. She hatched on a cold day and became separated from her mother — after being brought inside for warmth and care, she bonded closely with Allie and quickly decided that Allie was Mom. And she made sure everyone knew it.
She has since become a camp mascot, even joining campers for a swim this summer, and participates in educational programs, private experiences, and occasional Animal Visits.
Morty & Jessica
Indian Blue Peafowl
Morty and Jessica are Hidden Pastures’ resident peafowl. Morty is an Indian Blue peacock, and Jessica is also an Indian Blue, but she has leucism, a genetic trait that reduces pigment deposition in her feathers.
Each year beginning around August, they naturally molt and replace their feathers. Some of those naturally shed feathers make their way to the farm stand.
Juno
Macaw | 2
Juno may technically live in the house, but she has quickly made herself part of farm life. Bright blue, curious, playful, and still very young, she is currently learning where she fits best at Hidden Pastures.
For now, she makes brief appearances in educational programs while continuing her training. Her specialties include saying hello and playing peekaboo.
Shelly
Sulcata Tortoise | Approximately 8
Shelly came to Hidden Pastures when a community member could no longer provide the care he needed. He now lives alongside our peafowl and is especially useful for visitors who prefer something quieter and slower.
Shelly participates in educational experiences and our tortoise-and-hare races with the rabbits. One important warning: do not wear red nail polish around him unless you want your fingers investigated as possible strawberries.
The Bunnies
Our rabbit story began when our youngest wanted to show rabbits through FFA — one rabbit somehow became seven.
Snickerdoodle is our champion, who won at the Houston show three years ago. Velma is our ambassador bunny — she travels well, enjoys people, and is often chosen for appropriate off-site experiences.
Because rabbits are sensitive to stress and weather, most remain at the farm and participate mainly in animal-care classes, educational experiences, and select private sessions.
Their Care Is Part of the Work
Caring for the animals at Hidden Pastures takes far more than feed and water.
Throughout the year, their care may include:
Daily Care
- Feed and hay
- Grooming
- Daily cleaning and care
Health & Specialized Care
- Veterinary care
- Farrier care
- Specialized diets
- Medications
- Seasonal and emergency needs
Environment & Wellbeing
- Shelter and fencing
- Bedding
- Enrichment
- Training
Some animals require routine care.
Others need considerably more.
Caring for them well is part of the responsibility we accepted when they became part of Hidden Pastures.
Their Wellbeing Comes First
Animals may take part in youth programs, adult programs, riding and horsemanship, private wellbeing sessions, camps, tours, Animal Visits, and community events.
Not every animal participates in every experience. Participation depends on the animal’s health, age, training, temperament, workload, weather, and comfort.
Some animals enjoy being right in the middle of activity. Others prefer more space. We pay attention to both.
Learning to respect an animal’s boundaries is part of learning to work with animals well.
Help Care for the Animals You Love
Most of the animals at Hidden Pastures are available for sponsorship.
Animal sponsorship helps support the real cost of care, including feed, veterinary care, farrier services, medications, shelter, enrichment, and everyday needs.
Support may be directed toward an individual animal or toward a group such as the goats, sheep, chickens, or rabbits.
Come Meet the Herd for Yourself
Photos and stories can only tell you so much.
Hidden Pastures offers several scheduled ways to meet the animals, learn about their care, and experience life on the farm.