As a new mother I found that my daughter's favorite toy became a very important part of our day to day activities. It was not until I placed my daughter in her car seat for the first time, that I realized how distracting a child can be while operating a motor vehicle. Children constantly drop their toys and look for you to retrieve them. When children are buckled into their car seats, they are unable to help themselves.

My goal was to locate a safe way to keep my daughter's toy within reach. There is no reason why a driver should have to bend backwards while driving. At one point or another every parent has gone through this.

The Carsey™ world includes Casey and his many friends; Jill and Three Step are Casey's barn mates, a Dragon named Denis, a Dog named Merlin and more to come! All of the characters have been inspired by a special relationship from the horses I know to the people in my life.  Your child will enjoy exploring a new world of interest with each of them. 

Who is Casey?

Casey is a nine-year-old Belgium Show Jumper horse, of chestnut color with a white blaze. The very first time I met Casey he was under the ownership of Kent Farington, a neighbor of Partridge Hollow Farm. Kent, one of our country's best riders asked me to meet Casey. As I walked into the stable, Casey peered out and greeted me with a warm nuzzle as an invitation to enter his stall. That same day I walked Casey back to Partridge Hollow Farm, and he has been with us ever since. Mary Lou, the owner of Partridge Hollow Farm, purchased Casey in the fall of 2002.

My daughter was born in the spring of 2003.  As an equestrian I love my job and the horses I work with, however my husband and I fully understand how dangerous they can be. I had no intentions of letting any of the horses get to close to her until she got much older. Even then the horses we work with are no less that 1500 lbs.  Ponies were more of what I was thinking when she was around three years old. I went back to work 3 weeks after Parker was born just to teach; no riding just yet.  I had Parker in the Baby Bjorn attached to my chest and I would teach a lesson while she slept.  She loved it! 

When I returned to work with Parker in tow, Casey would respectfully enter the ring, keeping his distance. It was almost as if he knew I had a something special to protect.  As time endured, Casey could no longer help himself, and he showed signs of curiosity and the need to be closer.  As Parker got older she began to reach for him. At this point I decided to take her to see him in his stall. I asked Freddy, one of our team members, to put a halter on him. When I walked into the stall with Parker, Casey gently touched her back and then the back of her head with his muzzle. He touched the side of my face with his muzzle and then let out a big sigh. What followed is still one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Casey put his head facing straight forward. He carefully picked up each hoof and repositioned them on the ground. He stood square did not move. This was an invitation from Casey to have Parker sit on his back.

At that moment I realized that the relationship forming between my daughter and this horse was something that you might miss if you weren't listening.

With Freddy holding Casey I placed Parker on his back. I kept my hand around her as she sat on his back. Parker squealed with delight, and all the giggles followed. Casey calmly turned left and right looking back at her. He then looked at me almost to tell me that he knew the responsibility that he had.

To this day, Parker sits on Casey each and every day. She and I ride him together. When we go to work in the morning, and when I take her out of her car seat, it is a race to Casey's stall.

He is her first best friend.

Thank you, Casey.

Who is Denis the Dragon?

Denis the Dragons’ namesake is Denis Flannelly, our riding instructor in Ireland.  Mary Lou, the owner of Partridge Hollow Farm, and I met Denis in the spring of 2001 on our first visit to Ireland looking for horses.  I had been working in corporate mainstream for the last twelve years and just recently found my way back to my true passion, horses.  I had been out from the entire horse industry for many years, and Mary Lou’s first real lesson in her life was from me.  We somehow ended up at Kill International Equestrian Center (www.killequestrian.com), a world class training facility having a lesson with Denis.  It was overwhelming.  The horses were enormous, and the jumps were, too.   I had ridden competitively for many years.  I had NEVER had a lesson like Denis’s.  Denis holds himself, his horses, and riders to a very high standard.  During the lesson Denis said something that I try to carry through in everything I do.  He asked us both if “Practice makes perfect?”  We both answered, “of course.”  He then corrected us with this:

"If you practice the wrong thing over and over again, it just makes you better at doing it wrong.  Practice does not make perfect.  PERFECT practice makes perfect." 

And with that, we have been riding with him ever since.  His horses are some of the best I have ever ridden.

After a long day of riding and teaching I have seen Denis stop by the riding school and offer encouragement and instruction to a child and their pony.  He will spend hours with anyone that needs it and will not leave until both rider and horse feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished.

Denis’s trademark is his very shiny black shoes. They can be seen across an arena or show grounds.  How he keeps them so clean, I still don’t know!  The Four Leaf Clover on the bottom of Denis the Dragon's left foot is in honor of Denis and his family. Denis is a fantastic, talented rider and instructor, as well a good friend.

Denis, thank you for pushing the bar higher…

Who is Three Step?

Three Step is a black and white paint quarter horse.  I met him in the spring of 2001 when I was in California studying.  I have yet to meet another horse that I enjoyed being around as much as Three.   I used to spend my lunch hour with him.  He would see me walking towards the paddock and would gallop to the fence.  I would sit with him and just enjoy each other's company.  He would occasionally nibble on my boot or look for a scratch.  He has courage you rarely see in people.  His confidence and kindness is calming to be near.  Anna told me of an experience she had with Three Step after I had returned home.  There is a great deal I could say about this magnificent horse, however, I know this story truly captures who he is.

Anna’s story of Three Step:
While taking care of 3-step at a very prestigious barn in sunny California, I often reflect on one particular day.  We began our day with a member of staff missing. Very quickly this report became pretty serious, and the police, mountain rescue, helicopters and other groups were called in to search the grounds.  Numerous staff members were rounded up to comb the area for any suspicious circumstances.  I volunteered to take the hills surrounded by brush on the outskirts of the property.  It was the quietest and most secluded area.

I needed a horse to cover ground and knew 3-step would be the one.  I hadn’t ridden him for months but took him out of the paddock and jumped onto his bare back.  He was young, and yet I knew I could rely on him.  We began our search and went straight into the hills.  3-steps knew that this was serious, and we began looking everywhere.  He never looked back to his herd, never put a foot wrong and just listened intently to what needed to be done.  I remember seeing turkey vultures circling an area in the sky above, and my heart missed a beat.  We made our way in that direction. The hills were steep, the trees barren and the river bed dry and over-grown.  I had my eye on an area with a dead tree at the top of the hill.  3-steps never hesitated taking me through the bushes, leading the way.  Some times he couldn’t see where we were going but continued like a trooper.  Once I got to the tree, I realized that in fact, we needed to go down the hill to check the river bed, it was too steep for him to carry me down so I got off his back.  He followed all the way taking care of his own footsteps as I began to slip my way down the hill.  I never thought how I would get back up again!  When we got to the bottom, I can say with a sigh of relief, that it was a false alarm.  Now we needed to make our way back up the hill; which became a daunting task.  3-steps began climbing on his knees as I looked in amazement at his courage.  He knew we needed to get out of this valley to head home.  As I witnessed his strength I began to do the same and when we reached the top, both of us took a moment to look back. 

I learned so much about this young horse, about his trust, his strength and willingness to create a partnership in time of need.  Upon our return to the ranch that day, I know that this moment made our relationship stronger and changed us both to this day.

The young man in question was later found safe and well in a neighboring city.

I tried to buy Three Step a few years ago.  The couple that owned him decided not to sell him at the time.  I have no idea where he is now.  I know the couple shipped him to Arizona for a while, but he could be anywhere. He is a registered Paint Quarter Horse.  His registered name is Three Steps Black.  If anyone has any information on him please contact Casey@caseyandhisfriends.com.

Who is Merlin?

Merlin is the dog, companion, and friend of my Natural Horsemanship trainer, Anna Twinney.

Anna writes:

He was a multi-colored fur ball-black, grey, white, sandy and taupe, known to some people as a blue Merle. To me he was the first being I was to commit to in an unknown country; a gift sent from Heaven; a little piece of magic bringing light into my life.

Little did I know that he was to live up to his name, Merlin, in a multitude of ways. Merlin learned to escape from every form of confinement; 8 foot high horse stalls in one jump and a climb; kennels, lead ropes, car windows and all in the name of finding me - no matter what! He takes his job as protector very seriously. I believe that everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and animals are attracted to us to reflect ourselves and often bring attention to lessons to be learned. By reflecting who I am Merlin brought a whole new meaning to the saying: "Don't fence me in!"

He takes time out for the person feeling low to brighten up their day.Patricia will share her story:

"I was in California for my exams in Natural Horsemanship, donating a day to Return to Freedom, and feeling poorly — being 3 months pregnant. I was three thousand miles away from home and could barely keep my eyes open past six o'clock after studying and doing my practical work in the round pen. Merlin, who never leaves Anna's side, came into my room the first few nights and quietly climbed on my bed. He put his head on my belly and stayed with me till I fell asleep. I never asked him to come in; he just knew I needed a friend."

Merlin loves to perform. He not only has the usual commands down such as sit, down, stay, wait, slowly, load-up, stand, paw and come. He's learned to speak, crawl, roll-over, hide his face, sit up, push a ball and more. He performs when he wants to. Merlin is not motivated by food like other dogs, but by freedom and play. He will often snub food and yet with excitement gains great pleasure and inspiration. With his intelligence he has began to use these skills in everyday life and more over on his own terms! Some times you see him trying to crawl away slowly."

He's a truly special being, and I am proud to be able to share him with you. May Merlin be a part of your lives and bring you as much joy as he brings me.

Anna Twinney
Merlin's Person & Founder of Reach Out to horses www.reachouttohorses.com

Who is Jill?

Jill is an Irish Sport grey mare by a wonderful Irish stallion named Silver Granite. I met her in Ireland when she was four years old. She was the prettiest, tallest, and loudest mare in the entire yard. The staff had to place her in a stall closest to a busy isle because she continued to break doors down if you passed by her stall with out petting or acknowledging her. I did not know it at the time but she would be a horse that would change my life. She was the first horse I showed in Ireland. After many years being away from horses and riding, getting back in the saddle was trying on my nerves to say the least. Her spirit and love of jumping came out in the ring every time she was on course. I remember asking her to give me a bit more jump at the base of a fence and she squealed and then kicked her hind legs after she had touched a pole. Once when turned out in the indoor arena, during the winter with all her blankets on, she jumped a three foot six fence all by her self just because she loved to jump. (Stephanie and I saw that one together with our own eyes!) My trainer in Ireland always made me ride her last and put me in the harder classes with her because he new she was my favorite and she built my confidence in away the other horses could not. She was shipped here to the states and came to live at Partridge Hollow. I always rode her with respect as she always took great care of me. Jill was certainly not an easy ride however she was always fair to her rider. I remember a day, here in the states, when an instructor told me to carry a stick (small whip) with her which I never had done with her. I felt strongly about not carrying it and said so to the instructor. He was adamant that I did, and got it himself. I was not comfortable however trying to be a good student I listened to what my Instructor told me and took it from him. He then told me to let her know I had it. I acted on impulse and did what he told me to do. I swatted the side of her belly with it after she had done absolutely nothing to deserve such a reprimand. She grunted and swished her tail. He then said, "Give her another one." I did. She took two calm steps forward and then let out a buck and planted me directly in front of her. The look in her eye told me everything I needed to know. I felt like she was telling me, out of everyone why you? I had tears pouring as I knew what I had done was unjustified. She did not run from me nor step on me, nor kick me. She just stood there and looked at me.

I learned two life lessons that day that I will never forget.

First, stand firm in what you believe in. Just because someone has an opinion does not mean it is the right one. Second, forgiveness. I got right back on Jill that day and she was as fair to me as the first time I rode her. That is a quality that I try to posses everyday.

She knew I was pregnant before I did. My daughter rode her when she was six months old. Jill is retired in the mountains of North Carolina, due to an injury. She is still one of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen and one of my best teachers.

Patricia Friend Douglass
President / CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
Patricia Friend Douglass is the founder and President of Casey and his Friends. Patricia has worked with horses as an equestrian rider and trainer for fifteen years. She specializes in Natural Horsemanship. The last four years she has worked as a manager for a horse farm in Connecticut, called Partridge Hollow Farm, owned by Mary Lou Cassone. During this time Patricia was blessed with a beautiful daughter named Parker. Over the last two and a half years she has had the good fortune of having Parker right by her side at work. Without Parker this idea would have never come to fruition. Patricia has spent countless hours in her basement office developing a line of children's toy's now know as Casey and his friends. The idea came to her during one family trip that was taken; Patricia got tired of retrieving Parkers toy from behind the car seat every time she threw it or dropped it. In addition Patricia realized how unsafe this could be. The idea of this toy came to her that day and she has been running with it ever since.

With the support of her father, husband, family and friends Casey came to life.

As a mother and founder of this unique company, she continues to be inspired by her daughter and the horses with which she works everyday.

Casey and his friends want to keep you and your children safe. We are committed to the highest standard of excellence in everything that we do. Our company is about family first — and that includes yours.

May you be safe in all your travels!