New Horse Farm Has Rich Local History

by Sarah Wynne Jackson

According to records, the land and farmhouse were purchased by Nathan H. Weeks in 1841.  Twenty years later, he sold the property to Arthur Moulton, who bought Percheron work horses from out West and bred them here.  Willis Horner obtained ownership of the property in 1920 and raised cows and grew potatoes. 

In 1955, the farm was passed on to his daughter, Ruth Horner.  Parker remembers walking the fields as a boy in search of newborn calves that he and his father would bring into the barn for Ruth.  After Ruth passed away in the late 1990’s, several items sold for high prices at the estate auction, including a Windsor back chair for $22,000.  

The locals say that the town tax collector lived here, so everyone came to the farmhouse to pay their taxes.  In the early 1970’s, the Green Berets used farmers’ fields to do training exercises and to jump from their planes.  Ruth Horner sometimes had twenty or thirty staying overnight in her barn, and she often cooked breakfast for them.  The Uhlmans have found a variety of military items on the grounds, such as a helmet, a canteen, and a beret hat, which was signed for Ruth.

The Uhlmans bought the farm from Ruth Horner’s trust in 2001.  The farmhouse has since been restored with care to preserve its character.  Built in the early 1800’s, it is one of only a few plank houses left in the town of Thornton.  The roofline remains unchanged, and the original ceiling beams have been left exposed, some with handmade nails still in place.  Although the outbuildings could not be saved, a cupola from the old barn was restored and used on the new barn.      

Heidi Uhlman has a wealth of experience with horses.  She was a working student with dressage rider Michael Poulin for four months, as well as with Barbara Westerlund at the Dressage Center in De Leon Springs, Florida during the winter of 1998 to 1999.  During the winter of 2000 to 2001, she was a working student with Denny Emerson, who is former president of the United States Eventing Association and served as a member of the United States Equestrian Team World Championship Gold Medal Team. 

Heidi has ridden with Barbara Hale and also took part in a United States Dressage Federation symposium with Conrad Schumacher at Kentucky Horse Park.  She is studying the Parelli Natural Horsemanship training method and currently working toward her Level One Certification.  For the last six years, she has been the District Commissioner for the Pemi Valley Pony Club and now hosts their events at Deer Creek Farm.  Heidi offers lessons for beginner to intermediate riders in dressage, jumping, and combined training.  Students can bring their own horses for lessons or ride the farm’s school horse.  

Parker Uhlman attended Mitch Taylor’s Horseshoeing School in Kentucky for four months during the winter and spring of 2002.  He is the farm’s on-site farrier.

Deer Creek Farm is proud to welcome Lynn Coates-Holmes, a three-day event rider who was formerly barn manager and assistant trainer for Denny Emerson.  She offers lessons for preliminary level to advanced level event riders.  

Deer Creek Farm has twenty stalls with rubber matt flooring.  Pasture consists of a number of 70’ x 400’ grass paddocks with Kentucky four-board fencing.  For riding, there is an outdoor ring and an indoor arena, both of which are 70’ x 200’ with stone dust footing.  Other creature comforts include a heated grooming area and tack room, a wash stall with hot & cold water, a bathroom with shower, and a washer/dryer.  Board costs $425.00 per month per horse and covers stall cleaning, daily turn-out, hay fed three times a day, and grain fed twice a day.  The farm also has its own hay fields and offers baled hay for sale.  

Deer Creek Farm is located on Route 175 in Thornton.  The farm is fully insured.  For more information, call 726-4115.