Viking Wind Farm Miniature Horses

  About The Ranch

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada of Northern California, Viking Wind Farm is a little ranch with a big heart. Surrounded by ancient oaks, pine trees and a variety of wildlife, we feel very lucky indeed to live in the beautiful community of Penn Valley, CA.

We are just a short drive to Nevada City, Grass Valley , Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. We are only 1- 1/2 hours from Reno and 3 hours from San Francisco and the Napa Valley.

The name Viking Wind Farm comes from the fact that my father was a full-blooded Norwegian and I am very proud of this heritage. I named the ranch in his honor. He also helped to inspire my love for the palomino horse. When I was very young he had a palomino gelding named Trigger, after the famous mount of Roy Rogers. I always wanted a golden stallion of my own, and now I my dream has finally come true

The Story Of Viking Wind Farm 

     I credit my mother for my love of horses. One of my earliest memories is Mom gently placing me up on the saddle in front of her on "Twilight", a bright chestnut Arab mare with a flaxen mane and tail. I could not even wrap my tiny hands around the saddle horn...  it felt like I was 50 ft tall...and I was in heaven! From then on, horses were in my blood. I have owned Quarter horses and  Andalusians off and on  for nearly 40 yrs now. 

     When my mother became older, we moved up to the Sierra Nevada foothills so I could better watch out for her. I bought her her first mini, "Howdy". Howdy would let me lead him up onto the deck and then stand stock still while Mom pet and brushed him. He never once bumped her or tried to wiggle away.

     Eventually my own health problems caused me a signifigant loss of mobility, so I reluctantly sold off many of my beloved Andalusians. I then decided to focus seriously on breeding and showing the American Miniature Horse and I am so that glad I did. I feel rejuvenated and instead of mourning the restrictions of my relationship with big horses, feel a renewed excitement and fulfillment.

     Mom passed in 2007 and we miss her dearly, but her legacy lives on in every tiny hoofbeat and diminutive nicker.

In Loving Memory:

Marion Phelps Soholt

1918-2007