By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
March 30, 2009 - 10:32 a.m. EST

CARO — Those big, loving eyes and that cute little whinny were all it took for Wayne and Shirley Binder to fall in love with a miniature hobby.

Since 1993, the Binders have owned miniature horses at their family farm, Miniature Dreamland, located east of Caro on Tomlinson Road.

“He (Wayne) used to sit there looking out the window dreaming, so we figured it was his ‘Dreamland’,” said Shirley.

The couple has shown the horses competitively and just for fun through the years. They have also bred and sold the animals.

“We saw them and we fell in love with them,” said Shirley. “Our first horse was Katy. We bought her over in Peck and we brought her home in a van.”

Since then, dozens of horses have come and gone at Miniature Dreamland. The Binders keep scrapbooks featuring all of their beloved horses, along with their accomplishments and fun moments with the family.

“The grandkids loved them,” said Shirley. “But we got older and the grandkids grew up, too.”

Currently, Wayne, 85, and Shirley, 80, own eight miniature horses with one on the way, as a horse is pregnant and due this summer. The farm has downsized considerably from the 20 horses that once roamed on Miniature Dreamland.

“Our big thing was parades for years,” said Shirley. “We would walk them in the parade and our families would help... We went to Cass City, Marlette, Fairgrove, Elkton, Caro, Caseville - all over.”

The Binders took up membership with the American Miniature Horse Association and the American Miniature Horse Registry. Some of their animals are double registered with the groups.

“One of our horses was ranked third in three states in one association,” said Wayne proudly. “She’s a beautiful horse.”

Since the Binders no longer show their horses competitively, they have opted to take them to local events, including events at the Lighthouse Rehabilitation facility. The Binders have also welcomed the Lighthouse residents to their home each week for several years.

“They come and learn about the horses and see how to take care of them - it teaches responsibility,” said Shirley, adding that she’s seen the horses make a difference for some Lighthouse patients.

The Binders have no immediate plans to get out of the horse business, but times are changing.

“What do you say at 80 and 85?” said Shirley, laughing. “If the Lord gave us a chance to send them to a good home, we would.”

The average mini horse, weighing in at 250 pounds, is a strong animal, capable of living 25-30 years. The animals require regular hoof trims and some grooming. Shirley said she plans on trimming their horses’ manes in the spring.

Even with the chore of caring for the horses, the Binders say miniature horses were a wonderful choice for their family.

“Their personalities are wonderful,” said Shirley. “They love you back! You open up the barn door and you can count on two to three noses over the door to greet you. It’s nice just knowing somebody loves you!”

Prior to the Binders mini horse venture, they were no strangers to livestock. Wayne previously operated a chicken farm at their Tomlinson Road home. At one time, the farm boasted 12,000 laying chickens.

“That was a lot of work,” he said.

Shirley added: “I don’t miss the chickens.”