About Us

Lilac Meadows Miniatures Horses is located in Arlee, Montana about 20 minutes north of Missoula, Montana. Julie has owned and loved horses since she was a child. In high school, Julie rode both english and western and participated in 4-H, open and high school equestrian team shows. Since high school as her situation allowed, she owned a riding horse for pleasure. Our most recent home, although on 2 ½ acres was not appropriate for a riding horse… so she had to be without one.

In 2002, while attending the Western Montana Fair, Julie discovered Miniature Horses. It was love at first site and she had to have one. During Julie’s search for the best miniature she could afford, She met many wonderful miniature horse breeders and owners. Julie’s first purchase was the beautiful stallion that is our former herd sire, Wood's Apache’s Chief “Rhett”. Of course Rhett would not be happy living alone, so Julie’s search began to find him a wife. She found a wonderful mare. Squires Classy Lady “Lady”. And with a mare and a stallion a new farm was founded.

In 2003, Julie started showing Rhett locally and in 2004 he along with her new horse Envy started showing in Montana AMHR sanctioned shows. Julie was bitten by the show bug and her horses did very well in the show ring. In 2005, Rhett's driving performance gained the attention of national level trainers and he was able to go to the AMHR National Show. It was a once in a life time experience and he brought home three National Top Ten Titles.

2005 brought the birth of Julie's first miniature foal, out of a beautiful bay pinto that she purchased bred. Jackie, the newest arrival to the farm stole every ones hearts. Although initial intentions were the farms foals were to be sold to help pay for the others, Jackie soon was not for sale. Since then she has been successfully shown in both Halter, in hand performance and driving. 2007 brought two more fillies to the farm. May and Rose both daughters of our driving champion Rhett.

In 2008, after much consideration, Julie decided to geld Rhett since the mini market was so slow for selling young horses and turn her attentions from breeding to training and show her minis. Two of her wonderful miniatures we given a great home in souther Idaho. In 2009 Julie and her friend Kimbra also put on their third sanctioned AMHR show. The farm's show string of five miniatures did very well in the show ring again bringing home 5 Top Ten National All Stars awards with limited showing.

Later in 2009, Julie's employer sold its property and closed its doors. Julie decided to try a new Miniature Horse adventure and started an online and mobile tack shop in spring 2010. Julie, her minis and her traveling tack shop will be hitting the Montana and pacific northwest shows during the 2010 show season.