Mahalo Farm - who we are

Mahalo Farm is owned and operated by Patty Swygert who is assisted by her trusty Bernese Mountain Dog, Bernie, a re-home originally from NJ. Here we are at the corner of the riding ring which overlooks the mountains.

Patty has been riding for over 50 years, starting out in hunter-jumpers, moving to being an avid fox-hunter and becoming an accomplished carriage driver competing at Open Preliminary level. She trained ponies as a kid and began to teach riding lessons in the late 90's after retiring from a successful consulting business. She is a passionate student of natural horsemanship and is now studying classical dressage. She is student of Alexander Technique and helps riders find balance and strength through posture and proper alignment.

The horses here at Mahalo Farm are a motley crew: 4 mustangs adopted and trained by Patty; 2 Lusitanos (father and son,) an 11 hand roan pony, a Halfinger/Percheron/pinto cross, and two arabs, one appaloosa (without a single spot) and assorted crosses. Two of the mustangs have made great lesson horses, and the Lusitanos are teaching Patty classical dressage.  Key to the lesson program is Ivan, the narcoleptic pure-bred Arabian, who memorizes dressage tests and will jump anything he sees.

Currently, we have 4 boarders: a PMU Percheron/TB; an Arab/paint cross, a Clydesdale/TB cross and a Canadian cross.

Our summer project is teaching a student's 10 hand pony, Elvis, who is of indeterminant age, how to drive.

Once things on the farm started to come together, Patty, never without flowers, began her gardens. Finally, after 8 years the gardens are flourishing, thanks to spring rains.  Patty is selling some of her garden treasures to make room for more. Check in on the Garden Makeover section to find plants available for sale.