What We Offer

Samaria Creek Morgan Horses and Unicorn Stables provides horse lovers the opportunity to purchase a thoughtfully bred Morgan horse from breeders dedicated to harmonious matches between horses and humans. Our stallion was chosen for his temperament, performance record and stylish movement. We consider his height at 14.2 ideal for producing useful medium sized family horses from our Pure Morgan and non-Morgan mares. Our mares have all proven themselves as gentle teachers of adults and children of all ages. They all have correct conformation and excellent feet. All horses on Samaria Creek Farm are barefoot and work happily in our rocky country. The on farm cottage allows prospective buyers time to visit the horses and watch them in their daily activities. First horse owners can take advantage of our after sales support including agistment and lessons to create a positive bond between horse and new owner. We at Samaria Creek Morgan Horse stud are committed to providing a supportive safe environment for our horses and clients, with a focus on honesty and learning.

Judy

I was born and raised in North East Victoria and have been addicted to horses since sitting on my grandfather's cart horse at age 3.

Over the years I've had an eclectic collection of horses and horse experiences which were as diverse as droving in outback New South Wales to attending every horse related class or clinic I could manage. It was participating in the clinics in USA and Australia with Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman ,Leslie Desmond and Guy McLean along with studying the methods of Sally Swift and Bill Dorrence that most influenced my horsemanship.

In 1986 I bought a small farm near Mansfield in High Country Victoria when my first marriage ended, to give my sons the advantage of both country and city living.

I began to collect horses in earnest and 10 years later established Unicorn Stables teaching facility. Unicorn Stables provided students of all ages with a complete horse experience and an opportunity to understand horse behaviour in a safe environment. In addition I provided purchasing consultation for first horse owners - true match making between horse and human.

In 1987 I met Jenny Bird and Bill Powell who were just establishing Mt Tawonga Morgan Stud. This was the first time I had seen a Morgan horse. I was impressed by the beauty and exceptional temperament of these horses, but wasn't in a position then to afford one of my own.

I was re-introduced to Morgan horses when a friend bought a part-bred Morgan yearling. She boarded him at Unicorn Stables and employed me to train him. My love for the breed grew as he did; his curiosity, willingness to please and humorous antics were a constant pleasure.

I was further impressed by the Morgan breed when I strapped at the 1998 Tom Quilty 100 mile endurance race for American friend Dr Christine Marks. Christine rode Mt Tawonga Snowdout, a mare provided by Jenny Bird. Snowdout was courageous, intelligent and gentle; I loved how she looked forward to her massage at the breaks. We all celebrated at her successful completion of the race.

When I married Miles in 2004 I sold my property and relocated Unicorn Stables to Samaria.

Grandmother-hood, climate change and a severe drought cemented my desire to breed low maintenance, people friendly medium size horses. Their beauty, versatility and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions made the Morgan horse my first choice.

I purchased two pure bred mares (one in foal) in 2006 and leased Tui's Nimrod for the next two years. Four of my school mares are due to have part bred Morgan foals this Spring.

I am living my dream.

Miles

After spending my early years in Ivanhoe, a North East suburb of Melbourne, I bought 500 acres adjoining Samaria State Park in 1978 and headed bush with my first wife to fulfill our dream of raising our children in the country.

We made many of the "city folks in the country" mistakes, learned a lot and made some great friends in the local farming community that humoured our efforts.

We planted walnuts (the cockatoos loved them) , olives (the deer liked them) tried blueberries, daffodils, basil and zucchini. We also bred highland and black baldy cattle with various levels of success. Our eucalypt and pine plantations are surviving the drought and will mature in about 15 years.

When my marriage ended in 1989 I sold part of the farm and reluctantly returned to Melbourne to work, coming back to the farm on weekends.

In 1993 I moved back to Samaria full time and taking advantage of my horticultural qualifications set up a garden design and plant advisory service which I still run part time.

Our four sons thrived on the combination of country and city life and are now pursuing diverse and successful careers in Melbourne.

My marriage to Judy in 2004 sparked my interest in horses. Bush walking had been my main recreation and my previous few contacts with horses had convinced me that the horse was going where it wanted and I was just a passenger.

Since watching Judy teach and ride and becoming involved myself with the Morgan horses, I now enjoy horses and riding in a way I had previously not thought possible. (Now I can ride where I choose!!!)

I'm looking forward to the ongoing success of Samaria Creek Morgan horses, and continuing to learn from them.

Friends & Family

My name is Caitlin McKay I live in Mansfield ; I am in year 9 and am 14 years old. I started riding at Judy Oldmeadow's Unicorn Stables when I was 7 years old. She was living at Booroolite and I came there as much as I could to get some horse time in my life. After I had been having lessons for 5 years I started working for Judy helping teach younger children. When Judy moved to Samaria and started out her dream to have a Morgan stud (Samaria Creek Morgan Horses) I met all the Morgans that were going to be the start of the stud. All the horses just flicked through my thoughts but none ever really stuck in my mind, until I met Mount Tawonga Cascade The bay part bred filly was at Judy's temporarily to get her leg and shoulder wounds healed. I didn't think she could ever be mine. I thought that she was out of my reach, and I didn't even know if she was for sale. Having to bring her in everyday to wash her wounds made us get closer and closer. At first I kept quiet that I was interested in buying her. Then there was this one day that my mum, and Judy were watching me wash Cascade, so I popped the question, "Do you know how much she would be to buy?" Judy answered in a simple but helpful way "No I don't but I will find out for you" and that was it. I looked at mum and she was smiling so I didn't say anything to her. The next week when I came out to Judy's she had asked Bill Powell at Mount Tawonga Stud about the price and it was perfect! Finally the time that I'd been waiting for since I was at least 3! I was finally going to own my own horse -a Morgan -Mount Tawonga Cascade! Her shoulder has healed completely and her leg is almost healed with only a small scar. I have just started riding her under saddle and I had my first ride without her being led on April the 1 st . April fools day! I am really looking forward to when I can ride her in shows and join pony club, I think I will be able to achieve the high standards I set myself, with such a wonderful horse as my friend. I'll keep you informed!