Musta Hevonen Farm was established in 1978, purchased by Ellen Mustonen and Larry Ihlang. Ellen passed away and Larry later married Wendy Pylkki. Musta Hevonen is "black horse" in Finnish. Both Ellen and Wendy are Finnish and the name also includes Ellen's last name: Mustonen. A perfect name for the farm. Larry isn't completely left out, being half English and half Norwegian! At least the Fell ponies are from England and he is darn close to being a Finn, since he is part Scandinavian and married to a Finn! Larry does take comfort in those facts!

After a long search for the appropriate breed for us in the 80's we finally "discovered the Fell"! We purchased our first Fell pony in 1996 for our breeding program and haven't looked back since. We have been very taken by this breed and we know you will too!

Location

Musta Hevonen Farm is located in Rainier, Washington, on the northern West Coast of the United States. Rainier is about 12 miles Southeast of the state capitol, Olympia. Washington State is split by the huge Cascade Mountain Range, with this side of the mountains being the "Rainy Side". The Washington Cascades contain Mount Rainier, Mt. Adams, and the infamous Mt. St. Helens. Musta Hevonen Farm is near enough to Mt. Rainier to enjoy a spectacular view on approach, and near enough to Mt. St. Helens to have been dusted with ash on its eruption in 1980.

Surroundings

Our farm is situated on prairie habitat, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainier, some 453 feet above sea level. Next door are miles of riding trails which can be reserved from Ft. Lewis Military Reservation. Huge Douglas Fir trees give the area its "Evergreen State" look. The Pacific Ocean is an easy drive away, so beach riding is another option. Nearby is the 380 acre Northwest Equestrian Center with eventing and courses built to Olympic standards.

Climate

According to our imported Fell Ponies, the climate and terrain make them feel as if they're at home in Cumbria. Our Puget Sound region has plenty of summer sunshine, but much wintertime clouds and rain. Our region averages about 50 inches of rainfall per year, with average temperatures in January of 38 degrees and August, of 63 degrees. Winter windstorms are about the most severe weather we get, with occasional snow and ice storms creating driving mayhem. And yes, we get an occasional earthquake, but the Fells don't fall.