a passion that began with a single horse
The entire foundation of Black Gum Farms traces back to a single horse. A and R Debbie’s Delight. Delight ignited a passion in me to strive for excellence in breeding the finest Morgan horses possible. She set the standard for what a quality Morgan horse should be, and I will forever hold her as the ideal by which all others are measured.
Evolution of Black Gum Farms
A lot of people have played a big role in fostering my passion for Morgan horses, especially my dad. He’s not a horse person, but after seeing how much I loved it, he bought a few broodmares and we started a horse farm! Looking back, we definitely made plenty of mistakes, but it laid the foundation that Black Gum Farms is built on today. Along the way, a few mentors really stand out. Dennis Schlabach at Romp-n-Play Stables, our next-door neighbor, spent a lot of time helping us deliver foals and make important decisions. John Yutzy from Sanguine Equine has been an incredible mentor and sounding board over the years, offering everything from pedigree advice to helping as a sales agent. There are so many others who have made an impact, and I’m grateful for every one of them.
Our Focus
At Black Gum Farms, there are a few things we hold as absolute standards. Nutrition is right at the top — we’re raising future athletes, and that foundation starts as early as the first trimester. Our mares are fed only the best, and once the foals arrive, they’re given top-quality nutrition too. We believe this gives our babies the foundation they need for a long, successful career.
We’ve also invested heavily in creating a safe, top-of-the-line facility. Everything is designed with safety in mind — from well-maintained fences to secure barns and plenty of turnout space. Keeping our horses safe and avoiding injuries is a top priority.
Finally, we have a laser focus on developing truly exceptional Morgan horses. It all starts with quality mares — we hold them to a very high standard — and by pairing them with outstanding stallions, we give ourselves the best shot at raising future stars.