Dogs and cats roam among Fjord-Percheron crosses, Belgian-Quarterhorse crosses and miniature horses that grab the spotlight in parades
SHELLBROOK, Sask. — One- and two-tone ponies huddle together, their breath making clouds in the cold winter air as Larry and Evelyn Keyowski approach them for a pat.
Horses in all sizes are a staple on the Keyowski farm in north-central Saskatchewan, along with collections of covered and open horse drawn sleighs, wagons and antiques.
Their farmyard showcases the couple’s lifelong passion for horses and an outdoor lifestyle.
The parents of four adult children and grandparents of 12 work off the farm but retreat to their country sanctuary, where a host of chores and hobbies await them.
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“Farming is just in a person’s blood, and it just stays with you,” said Larry.
He and Evelyn were raised on farms and previously lived on an acreage near Hudson Bay, Sask.
“There is no use being out here if you do not have an animal,” said Evelyn, whose farm is also home to a dog and cats.
They exited a cow calf operation when life got too hectic five years ago and now buy and sell cattle during the growing season.
“We were not able to expand as no one was selling land … so we decided we would stay here and keep on working,” said Larry, 62, a pipefitter. “I can make more money working out than grain faming.”
Larry buys up to 30 cattle through an auctioneer in March when few buyers are looking for “grassers” and he can acquire them at a lower price.
They stay on pasture until they’re sold in the fall, with Larry buying grain and hay and renting hayland as needed.
“For what I can buy, I don’t need the headache,” he said of growing crops. The modest herd and land base are manageable for the couple. Evelyn works at a nursing home and manages the farm chores when Larry is away.
They got into horse pulling after seeing competitions at a rodeo and achieved many top three finishes before they retired from the circuit a few years ago.
Their training involved day-to-day farmwork such as feeding cattle, but the horses also pulled weights.
“You don’t overwork them,” said Larry. “If you push them and pull them and overwork them, the body can’t take it.”
Evelyn added: “It was lots of fun but it costs money.”
The winnings usually just covered the fuel required to haul heavy horses to the shows, Larry said.
Today they often give horse drawn rides with their Fjord-Percheron cross or Belgian-Quarterhorse crosses.
Evelyn drives her miniature horses in parades and plans to raise ponies for sale.
Both keep busy with other hobbies, such as Evelyn’s sewing and Larry’s antique restoration and woodworking.
His fall project was creating a new dining room table using his own sawmill.
They have a trailer to whisk them away to nearby lakes when hunting or fishing season calls.
“I like it here,” Larry said of country living.
“We will carry on as is.”
