Hytyme Enterprises

Eagle Creek, OR 97022
ph: 503-816-3991
fax: 503-630-5601
info@hytymedrumhorses.com

Press

In beautiful Eagle Creek, Oregon, you can find Jim and Sherry Elliot running HyTyme Enterprises. HyTyme Enterprises has been a horse rescue and rehabilitation center for quite a while but in the past year it has also become one of the west coasts largest Drum Horse Farms. The Elliot's story is much like everyone else's - it started with the picture of a Gypsy Horse. But it all changed when they saw what Jim calls "The Picture." It was a picture of Galway Warrior. The Elliots started researching the breed and fell in love with the history behind these horses. They bought their first foal in utero from Old Mill Farms in Pennsylvania and soon bought a stud colt from them as well. HyTyme Enterprises soon found themselves the proud owners of two Drum stallions, Old Mill Farm Apollo and OMF Gideon at HyTyme. With a little more searching they bought four Shire mares and one Clydesdale mare from a breeder in Idaho. This year they saw their first foal crop of two Drum colts and a Drum filly. You can find out more about Jim and Sherry Elliot and HyTyme Enterprises on their website, www.hytymeequinerescue.net. The Drum Horses are not on the site yet, but Jim promises they will be soon.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

HyTyme Equine Rescue by Julie Murray

I decided to spend my 36th birthday volunteering out at HyTyme Equine Rescue in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Unfortunately, the facility is dealing with an outbreak of Pigeon Fever, so some of the horses were in quarantine. The owner of the place, Jim Elliott, invited me out anyway to get a tour and meet his beloved Drum Horses on the other side of the facility. The Drum Horse looks similar to the Gypsy Vanner, lots of mane and lots of feathers. They were used in England to carry the big kettle drums of the Queen's Cavalry. They had to be strong enough to carry the rider and kettle drum, usually about 300 pounds.

Jim fell in love with the breed and bought two stallions from a farm in Pennsylvania. They found some draft PMU mares in Idaho and they had their first crop of Drum foals this year. The stallion, Apollo is quite a character. He is pictured at left and has the most gorgeous mane, it just flows everywhere. When Jim called his name, Apollo strolled over and just leaned into all the scratches and attention. The herd of mares with their little (not so little:-) foals had to come check out what was going on. The Drums seem to be a friendly, curious breed. Some of the foals had the most amazing eyelashes, a wonderful mix of white and black.

One of the foals lost it's mother this summer to colic and is being raised by a donkey. I fell in love with that little filly...she was so sweet. I am hoping to help out around the place once or twice a month. I have to wait until the Pigeon Fever is gone before starting. I can't risk transferring it out to our barn. I wore things that I won't wear at my barn and I washed my car just to be safe. I am hoping to help by taking photos and video of the rescue horses to aid in getting them adopted. Also, I wouldn't mind brushing horses or cleaning a few stalls. When it is safe to go out, I have to get together with their barn manager and see where I can help. I am really looking forward to helping in any way I can. You can read more about their Drum Horses at this website.

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Eagle Creek, OR 97022
ph: 503-816-3991
fax: 503-630-5601
info@hytymedrumhorses.com