The Long Grey Line Farm began
operation early in 1976. Hell Cats' Reveille by Broadlands' Kilarney and
out of Evan's Lula Twigg by Command Attention was selected to head the breeding
program. He was bred by W.W. Evans, Winds Aloft Farm, Louisville,
Kentucky. Soon another stallion, Badge of Gallantry by Gallant Guy
O'Goshen and out of Autumn Twilight by Anderson Aire by Anderson Rex (full
brother to Captain Courageous), was also purchased from Winds Aloft Farm.
Mares who were eighteen to twenty one years of age were purchased to try to
intensify some of the old bloodlines. Today, their sons, daughters,
grandsons and granddaughters are continuing the program to bring back the old
bloodlines of Jack Twigg (for the beauty, very smooth trot and leggy motioned way of going) and
King Barrymore (for the big strong hooves) among others. A special
effort to intensify the Kalarama Rex bloodlines (to ensure stamina and athletic
ability) has been carried out and today some of the most potent Kalarama Rex
blood can be found on our farm. Nearly every world's champion at Louisville each
year traces to Kalarama Rex. In the 1990s, we made the decision to broaden
our minds and our marketing to include sport horses. Saddlebreds are versatile
horses who love to work at different jobs. A good horse is a good horse
who can do several jobs well. Most of our horses free-jump well and show
potential as jumpers or dressage horses. We have proven that they can do
endurance with a Saddlebred Select Bronze Award from the American Saddlebred
Horse Association to Bugle Call Rag, a full brother to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
Several of our horses have competed as jumpers and field hunters and some are
being schooled in dressage. We hope that when you look over our stallion roster and our list of
horses for sale that you will find something that suits your needs. We are always
willing to talk about bloodlines and horses. Give us a call.
Martha and her daughter exhibited fancy poultry on the East Coast and in Alabama, so it was only natural to continue to have unusual poultry and waterfowl. They also competed at horse shows with Martha driving and riding her five-gaited gelding, Caesar, and the children showing their versatile little Welsh mare, Stormy Day. Martha's family had American Saddle Horses before World War II, so her interest and knowledge goes back a long way.
FARM PRODUCTS FOR SALE: We sell eggs from Araucana (blue & green), Cornish Giant (light brown), Cuckoo Maran (dark chocolate), Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, and others (various shades of brown) so that your generous dozen is a lovely rainbow. These chickens are free to graze in the pasture and yard. Eggs are currently $3.00 per dozen. We sell Belted Galloway beef by the mixed quarter, side or whole. Large turkey gobblers and Pomeranian Geese are usually available. Call for current pricing. Sometimes we have extra garden produce for sale.
Our LANDRACE gilt produced 18 piglets in 2009. I took six to raise on a pan in the bath tub in the barn and she kept twelve - which is all the teats that she had. Fourteen survived. Landrace are noted for their large litters and their great mothering instincts. The Landrace breed is commonly called the "bacon pig" because of their long smooth body. They were developed from Danish Landrace hogs imported in 1934 by USDA. They are noted for their lean carcasses and their fast growing tendency. They are white in color. They are easy to work around, although we have a healthy respect for her. She weighs about 350 pounds now and could easily throw us anywhere that she desires. Although I suspect that some Yorkshire blood is in her veins, as well as that of the boar, the piglets grew out nicely, which is also a trait of the Yorkshire breed. The pigs are fed a commercial Tucker Milling Hog Finisher pellet plus greenery from the garden and yard plus hay - no hormones or antibiotics, just good food. It takes longer to reach their desirable weight, but the excellent meat is worth the wait. The return on pork is somewhat higher than beef and is around 65-70%, so the value is very good. When available, our pigs sell for $1 per pound live weight. I am learning to cure the meat. We have added a smoke house to smoke it after curing. Stories of this adventure will be forthcoming. I am breeding the Sow and her daughter to a Berkshire boar. Call 256-883-9814 or martha@longgreylinefarm.com if you are interested in buying pork.
For a piglet video click here
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK PUPPIES: I plan to breed two females whenever they cycle in the spring. If you wish to be notified, send an e-mail to martha@longgreylinefarm.com . Our computer got hungry and devoured all of the e-mails after July 2008. If you sent photos for the Photo Gallery, please send them again. I will get them on quickly so that it does not happen again. If you were on the notification list, please send the request again.
BOARDING: Now that the numbers of farm-owned horses are being reduced, stalls are available for boarding lay-ups, pensioners or riding stock. No draft or draft crosses accepted. No training is offered. Attentive care with private paddocks by day and stall by night, farm raised hay, grain twice a day and lots of fresh well water. Board is $325 per month. Contact martha@ longgreylinefarm.com
Check out our horses for sale (updated 7 July 2010)
Martha Aitken became a Certified Breed Judge for The American Warmblood Registry in June 1998 after extensive study and testing in England and in Germany. She was soon certified as an AHSA Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge, which sent her to shows all around the United States. This led her to inspecting sport horses for other breed registries. She has made the decision to retire her USEF Judge's License because flying is no longer fun, travel is becoming tedious at her age and she is needed to operate the farm. She has also made the decision to cease riding instruction in the spring of 2009 so that she can devote more time to writing. Several books, one humorous about adventures on the farm, and another on the life of General William Temple Withers, her great grandfather, are currently in the works. Withers fought and was wounded at the Battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican War, fought in the War Between the States, then founded an internationally known Trotting Horse farm, Fairlawn Stock Farm, in Lexington, Ky. He died in 1889 and in 2008, Martha submitted his name and accomplishments to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. He was accepted and Martha, with some other relatives, journeyed to Goshen, N.Y. to attend his induction as an Immortal of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2009. This is such a great honor and we are very proud. See more on this in the PHOTO GALLERY. Extensive research is being done and a book has been started. A target date for publication is set for late 2010 or spring 2011. If you are interested in procuring a copy, autographed, of course, contact martha@longgreylinefarm.com
In October 1999, Martha was invited to speak at the annual Horse Day Symposium at the University of California, Davis. To see her presentation, "What is a Warmblood ?" Click here
She has also written commentary on The American Saddlebred as a Warmblood Sport Horse. Click here
Click here for pictures of our trip to Germany with the A.R.A.B.S. (American Registry of Arab Bred Sporthorses) in August 2001 to learn about Shagyas.
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED STALLIONS STANDING AT STUD
- All stallions stand with a live foal guarantee with return the next year. A different mare owned or leased by contract may be substituted. Shipped semen may be split and used for multiple mares at no extra charge, but LFG will apply to only one mare.
- Breeding fee at the farm: $500 for your choice of a stallion. We have reduced the fee so that every breeder can afford every stallion. Boarding at the farm: $10 per day for the mare, $11-13 per day with foal (mare plus $1- 30 day foal, mare plus $2- 60 day foal, mare plus $3- 90day foal etc) , box stall with possible paddock turn-out by day (no pasture board).
- Shipped semen is available for some stallions. Breeding fees are as above. A collection fee of $150, subject to changes in the veterinarian's charges, will be charged for shipment or for local AI use. Disposable shipping containers are available at $35 each, no deposit, no return. Containers are reusable if you have a need for one. They will hold for 48 hours. Charge for collection is determined by the veterinary clinic, but is possibly $150 or more. Ask for current fee before ordering semen.
- Our farm veterinarian's clinic is well qualified in equine reproduction both at our farm and their hospital. We try to keep costs to a minimum yet achieving the goal of pregnancy.
- Our stallions are getting old. I will ship semen as long as it will work, but on site breeding is better. These bloodlines are not to be found today, so if you are a student of lineage, consider these stallions. This blood won't be available much longer.
MARES MUST BE LIVE COVERED AT THE LONG GREY LINE FARM. THE STALLIONS ARE OLD AND THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE TO DROP 50 YEARS OR MORE OFF OF YOUR MARE'S PEDIGREE. THE FIRST TWO DAYS BOARD IS FREE, AFTER THAT A FEE OF $10 PER DAY WILL BE CHARGED (PLUS FOAL, SEE ABOVE RATES). IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT THESE OLD BLOODLINES ARE GREAT, JUST COME AND LOOK FOR YOURSELF. THE FOALS ARE OUTSTANDING.
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Wingate's
Chindit Full blood brother to Merrill's Marauder So much motion ! First foal arrived 2005- a thrilling grey filly! Two outstanding fillies 2006, a chestnut colt for 2007. High-set necks, extra motion and exciting show horse ways. A 2009 chestnut colt out of Ice Dreamer by Vanilla Ice - very sharp and gifted. Sorry, no shipped semen
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Dapple Grey, line-bred Kalarama Rex bloodline, very high head, short back, tiny ears with hooks, gorgeous head, show horse presence and charisma. He is 27 years old, so you had better hurry to breed to him! Shipped semen available |
| General Withers 16 hands, leggy, beautiful dapple grey Adds motion, refinement, power, show horse ability and versatility. His offspring excel in all three divisions - 3 & 5 gaited and fine harness. American Warmblood Registry Sire - offspring show great potential in dressage and jumping. Shipped semen available |
Pacific Mist
The power of intense Kalarama Rex bloodlines through both sire and dam, plus in his distant sire line in the 1880's is my great grandfather's trotting stallion, Almont, described as having almost human intelligence and fluid trotting action. Adds motion, refinement, power, elegance, show horse ability, versatility and grey! He only has nine get and is 17 years old. He is one of the best kept secrets in the country. His daughter, Tashi's Mist, is doing well on the show circuit in Texas! His first foal for our farm arrived May 2009 out of Gallantry's Jarmara by Badge of Gallantry - a dainty grey filly, Fairy Mist, who is lovely with show horse looks and ability. Another filly foal arrived in June out of Perpetual Kiss by The Silver Lining. Kiss In The Mist is large, very talented with high set neck, beautiful head, great conformation and she is grey!
Shipped semen available |
Click on any stallion for more information
See our breeding information by clicking here
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Herd of HorsesTo visit our Blacksmith Shop Quartet, click here and then click on each horse
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Rumble of Ridgebacks, Suzi, Wanu, and MasaiAKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks of recently imported African lineage are usually for sale. Our former senior stud dog's dam was imported from Zimbabwe. We mourn Wanu's death in September 2006, just short of his tenth birthday. His son, Justa Nutta Tsu (dam, African Tsu), stepped up to breeding duties in 2007. We imported a pair from South Africa in 2002. Zula and African Tsu have proven to be just what we needed in our breeding program. Puppies are usually $600-800, but occasionally are priced for less. We ship Delta Dash and try to select a puppy that suits you. We are always happy to have the puppies picked up at the farm. We have bred Rhodesian Ridgebacks for more than 34 years. The first two of the four stud dogs that we have used through the years have been sired by imported stock or by sons of imported stock. Add in our recent imported blood from South Africa and Zimbabwe and you have a very good genetic mix. Our goal has always been to produce good family dogs who could earn their keep by working if needed. Some of our stock has gone on to be working farm dogs and hunting dogs, a few have gone to the show ring, many have completed obedience and service dog programs, but most have ended up being family friends and protectors who were loved and cherished by their owners. We regretfully announce the death of Zula, our imported male. I have secured a male puppy from one of his last litters and he will stand at stud in 2010. Unfortunately Justa Nutta Tsu died unexpectedly, so Zula Tsu's Sunnie will now be our breeding dog.
Because of the down-turn in the economy, we have decided to reduce our puppies to $500 until the national situation changes. A non-refundable, but transferable, deposit of $100 will be required at time of notification of the puppies birth. For details, scroll to near top of page. Contact us if you wish to purchase a Ridgeback puppy. We will breed whenever a female is ready to our new male, Sunnie.
Contact Martha@longgreylinefarm.com
Contact martha@longgreylinefarm.com or call 256-883-9814 if you are interested in a puppy or would like to be notified when the next litter is expected.
Gypsy and Zoe, owned by Brooke, after a hard day's work
Gypsy and Zoe, guardians, and Joey Lee's Embra
Louis, the Yorkie, meets Kenya, the Ridgeback, owned by Julie LaTarga comforts Bill's mother
Nessie, 3 1/2 months, owned by Cabell and Megan Alison's Aku shares some sun with Vikki, the Dobe
Austin and friend, Rudo Faith and her new friend, Logan
Andi's herd playing in New Orleans park What a comfy seat!
Peaceful Coexistence
- Sheridan and Annie
Sebastopol Geese - Two Giggles short of a Gaggle
The entire flock of Sebastopols has been SOLD
We are opening a new chapter in goose breeding. Very nice Pomeranian Geese have been acquired and will be available for sale after the summer of 2010. We do not ship through the post office, only via air with Delta Dash. This breed is also rare and is considered to be a Heritage Breed. They are bred for meat and are large geese and good foragers. We have a few Sebastopol/Pomeranian crosses, which are very interesting because they are loose feathered and lovely to see.
Herd of Heritage Turkeys: Blue Slate, Bourbon Red, Black and Royal Palm
Heritage Turkeys are breeds from the old days when every farm had a flock to provide meat for the table. These turkeys, unlike our modern Broad-Breasted Turkeys, do not require special feed and love to eat grass and bugs. They will breed naturally where the over-sized modern turkeys must be artificially bred. Our turkeys are raised without antibiotics or hormones. Breeding pairs @ $80 or gobblers for breeding or meat @ $40, when available. Sorry, but we are sold out of hens. The coyotes keep our numbers down!
A Batch of Oreos
Registered Belted Galloways - This is considered to be a Heritage Breed.
The breed's first recorded history dates to the 16th Century in the former Galloway district of Scotland. It is believed that the belted variety of Galloway cattle evolved from an early Celtic breed and are probably a cross of Black Galloways on Dutch Belted. They are polled, meaning that they have no horns, but they can still lay one on you with their head! This is a good-natured beef breed of medium size. Our mature bull weighs about 1500 pounds and is approximately 47 inches at the hip. The cows are about 900 pounds and produce well into their teens. Babies are very small at birth but quickly grow into fine young animals. They are thrifty and do not require extra forage to attain good growth. Because the animal is a little smaller, steaks are closer to the new guide-lines for portions. Exciting color, good disposition, no horns, good growth rate without pushing with high protein diet and lean flavorful meat. What a wonderful combination of traits!
Custom beef raised without antibiotics, steroids or hormones is for sale. We feed the entire herd a commercial cattle feed twice a day. The herd has free-choice grass and hay available. Hay is raised on our farm with no pesticides or herbicides used. We know what our Belties have eaten and that it is a healthy diet. The meat is flavorful, not like over-the-counter meat, mildly sweet with a light amount of marbling in the muscle plus a layer of fat on the outside. The butcher says that he loves my Beltie Beef because it is pre-trimmed. He doesn't have to trim fat and throw it away. This means money in your pocket through per-pound savings. Call for availability and pricing. Beef is available several times a year and is sold by the mixed quarter, side or whole. Current price: $4.50/lb hanging weight, which includes shrink wrap. Hanging weight is determined after the beef is ready to begin the aging process in the cooler. The beef is usually a mid-size miniature who is 47 inches or less at the hip. The steaks and roasts will be boutique size, just the right size for proper portions. The next beef will be available in early summer. Call now to reserve your mixed quarter or half. For more information on the wonderful Belted Galloway: www.Beltie.org
Our bull, called Cupcake, has a very good disposition and puts it on his calves. They are easy to work around. He is a "heifer bull", meaning that he produces small calves but our cows all have good milk to make them grow out rapidly. In 2007, one of our senior cows died shortly after giving birth. Her daughter had a calf the morning that she died and took on the orphan plus her calf. The two babies, a heifer and a bull, grew out just fine. Our heifers, with their great maternal instinct, would be a grand beginning for a herd.
We usually have several baby heifers, as well as several bulls of various ages, for sale. All are registered or are eligible to register with the Belted Galloway Society. Price is $1000-$1500 for heifers. Young bulls are for sale at $1000-1200, depending upon age. The small minis are a little higher. Since we sell custom beef, older bulls are never available because they have gone to someone's freezer. Contact martha@longgreylinefarm.com if you wish to add a Beltie to your life.
Look at the Mini-Moo that was born 30 January 2008. The calf beside her is 18 days older and of normal size. The big calf has been her constant companion, guardian and playmate since birth. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bigger than she was at birth. The rooster's tail was higher than her shoulder. This tiny heifer was sold to Texas.
Introducing our farm hands
Griz and Col, his partner Griz and Wanu Tsu's Sweetie, the Ridgeback
Griz was added to help Martha with the cattle, pigs and the geese. The McNab is a rare dog here in the U.S. Originally thought to be from Scotland, Mr. McNab made several trips back to his native Scotland to bring dogs to his ranch in California in the late 1800s. The McNab Ranch still exists, but the dogs are rare. A few dedicated breeders keep the bloodlines pure and trace back to the original imported stock. Griz is one of these dogs. We have added Col, a female McNab, to our working dog roster. There is no registry for the McNab, although it is eligible for several stock dog registries. McNabs are natural headers, but are intelligent enough to learn whatever their job is to be. They work in an upright position, rather than stalking or skulking like a Border Collie. They are very fast and agile. Many owners use them for agility and Frisbee dogs because of this. Our dogs live in the house and they are content to lay around until they go outside. Col still wants to play but Griz is very serious about life. Their mature height is about 20-24" at the shoulder, are black or red with white markings and they weigh about 40 pounds. They are very thrifty and do not require a lot of food. Since they are from the Collie family, they will die if given anything with Ivermectin wormer in it. The McNabs are extremely intelligent, willing to please, stick right beside you and will defend you against cows, calves and the occasional barn cat, who doesn't give a rip about Griz or Col and their attitude! We kept one puppy from the litter born in the summer. Ross is learning his role in life here on the farm. He is for sale since we have imported a Welsh Sheep Dog from Wales. This breed certainly seems to be the root of the McNab. The reports from the buyers of the other puppies are glowing. All are beginning their lives as working ranch dogs. Contact martha@longgreylinefarm.com or 256-883-9814, if you are interested in learning more about the McNabs or the Welsh Sheep Dogs.
Contact us at (256) 883-9814 or by e-mail:
martha@longgreylinefarm.com.See our line of tack and unique gifts at
www.boodleshop.comCurrent stock in The Boodle Shop is being liquidated soon. Watch for the inventory and prices.
We also sponsor www.saddlebredsporthorse.com and
For Saddlebred pedigree research or art work:
For excellent, personal horse transportation:
Steve Merka - 770-778-1300 or quote@haulinghorses.com (box stall and personal care)
For more info: http://www.doubledeuceranch.com
John Sidenstriker - Circle S Horse Transportation - 304-964-0598 - or circle_s_stables@hughes.net
For more info: www.circleshorsetransportation.com
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