Carpe Diem Farms

10/14/2025

Our September Laurel article. Enjoy!

As summer fades, Carpe Diem Farms welcomes a new season of after-school programs, heartfelt volunteer stories, and a generous grant from Mountain Findings—fueling equine experiences that inspire and uplift.

08/18/2025

This is wild!!!!

06/22/2025

Our latest Laurel Magazine Article

The Vibrancy of Carpe Diem Farms

It’s the Season of Surprises and Celebrations and Sudden Arrivals at Carpe Diem Farms. Read more 👇

https://thelaurelmagazine.com/giving-back-in-highlands-nc-and-cashiers-nc/the-vibrancy-of-carpe-diem

11/11/2024

Remembering Reeboks Mercedes

It is with sadness that I share with you the passing of our magnificent, seventeen-year-old Mercedes. A card-carrying member of the American Quarter Horse registry. She was laid to rest November 6th with the sixteen others she joins in the Blair Family Cemetery at CDF. A quintessential mare, calm, friendly and eager to participate with all who came to Carpe Diem. She has spent the past twelve years with us.
She was the one horse out of the twenty-four I have been privileged to share my life with who was always steady, dependable and had a consistent loving temperament. Never once did she exhibit any disfavor to her herd members or any of the humans who ever worked with her.
My personal sadness comes from the reason she was lost at such a young age. She was bred for and born to Heather Johnson, a four-times National Reining Horse champion and trainer who showed Mercedes as a two-year-old in the National Reining Competition.
A horse does not complete its growth, bone and muscle structure or spinal column development to at least five to six years old. Mercedes probably began her training at eighteen months to be ready for the two year old competition. She competed, as far as I know, until she came to us at five. Two years ago, her hind end began displaying structural changes and she exhibited pain. I retired her immediately and began PEMF treatments, massage therapy, red-light therapy as well as heat and cold pack. I gave her every homeopathic and even prescription medication the veterinarians could offer. She was pampered by all the children who would visit and groom her with loving care. She went out with her herd to graze by day and slept in her extra bedded stall at night. She reached the point where she could no longer leave the stables or walk more than a few feet. I had tried everything there was, now it was time to let her be pain free and, in my mind’s eye allow her to fly with the angels.
The herd is quiet and will remain so for a while as they process their loss and her passing. Now there are six in the remaining herd.
From all of us at CDF, may you and yours have a blessed holiday season and a wonderful 2025!

08/17/2024

Kids, critters, bruins big and small and, of course, horses – Carpe Diem Farms is bursting with exuberant life.

08/02/2024

Good Morning from Carpe Diem Farms!!☀️🐴

Part time and full time jobs are still needed!

If you are interested, please call or text Sue at the number below!

01/28/2024

I couldn't get these to download with my remembrance of Anna. It has taken me three weeks to be able to write and share this. It was very sudden.

01/28/2024

Poetry in Motion
Anna Banana
May 20, 2002 – January 6, 2024

From the moment she arrived, stepped off the trailer, she was the quintessential filly. Magnificent beyond words in looks, movement, personality, and zest for life. Her very presence was a showstopper.

Anna was born at High Pasture, named for Frances Bunzel’s granddaughter, Anna Banana. A duel registered card-carrying member of the Spotted Walking Horse Association and the Paint Horse Association. She was what the British refer to as a “colored horse.” The most magnificent I had ever seen. Perfectly matched marking. She was three months old and my purpose of adding her to our herd was to be CDF Lola’s Promise’s, our four-month-old Morgan’s playmate and best friend. It was love at first sight. They would spend every day romping together in the fields. Painting a magnificent picture of pure joy and exuberance.

When Anna and Promise were 3 in November 2006 we lost both Charlie Brown, our lead gelding and Graceful Command, “Gracie,” Promise’s mom and Alpha Mare nineteen days apart. Within weeks of their deaths the herd would choose them as their leaders. I was blessed to witness that one day in time and have it etched in my mind’s eye. Together they did a ritual dance in the field running freely in opposite directions in huge circles announcing their new roles. Until Promise’s death, November 20, 2015, they could be seen daily, Anna leading the herd every morning to graze and Promise following the line of horses, bringing up the rear. They instinctively knew it was their responsibility to protect and guide their herd. Together they did their jobs flawlessly.

Following Promise’s death Anna, without her friend and trusted partner continued alone to be the guardian of herd. She welcomed each new member over the years and kept a watchful eye out for their safety. As their “Alpha” the herd knew they were safe. Whenever Anna wanted to lay down to soak up the sun’s rays the herd would provide her a perfect protective circle, facing out so that she would feel safe to rest from her duties. I am grateful that my memory clearly provides me with the magical moments of herd behavior. The remaining four are now at a loss without her as am I.

Nearly twenty-three years with her just doesn’t seem enough. We’ll see you again sweet girl.

01/24/2024

Do you struggle with your horse’s stress levels? Horses are creatures of habit and are uneasy when in new environments, changing social groups, or when their routine is disrupted. Stress and anxiety can also be caused by boredom or a lack of stimulation, inappropriate exercise programs, pain and d...