Located east of Brenham, Texas on State Highway 105 is the Saint Clare Monastery. It is here that miniature horses are raised and sold to support the comtemplative sisters who reside and work here. This location has been in operation since 1981, but its history goes farther back, through some troubling and trying times.

In nineteen sixty, while Sister Bernadette was living in New Orleans she became aware of the dilema of the Sisters of Poor Clare Monastery in Cuba. Fidel Castro's revolutionary army had ousted the Sisters at gunpoint from their monastery. Their day-to-day existence had become a faith-testing struggle, but they still clung to their faith and hope. Hope finally arrived in the form of Sister Bernadette!

In time, under Sister Bernadette's leadership, the Poor Clare Monastery began raising and selling birds to pet stores all across the nation to help defray the living expenses of the Sisters.As luck would have it, the military was about to play a part in the relocation of the Sisters one more time. This time, it was the U.S. Navy's plan to re-open an old airfield next to the Sisters' property. In nineteen eighty-five, Sister Bernadette arranged the sale of the Corpus Christi property and purchased the location near Brenham.

As time passed, the Sisters became interested in raising cats, such as Himalayans and Persians. This went nicely for some time and was a good business venture for them. Then Sister Bernadette heard about miniature horses and began to consider the possibility of raising them. After all, she had to provide for the support of the Sisters and selling a miniature horse was a much more lucrative endeavor than selling a cat. She finally found a buyer for her complete inventory of cats. Then she began pursuing the purchase of miniature horses.

A Newborn Arrival at Saint Clare Monastary. (Photo courtesy of St. Clare Monastary)

At first, she was somewhat disappointed; it seemed the monastery couldn't afford the first miniature horse, let alone enough to start a herd! In dealing with one miniature horse breeder, she asked them if they would be so kind as to donate a horse for them. It could be used as a tax write-off. The breeder agreed and Saint Clare Monastery was a step closer to raising miniatures. After that, the Sisters managed to arrange a loan to buy a small starter herd. Then they were in business.

The little horses of Saint Clare were an instant hit with the attendees of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the biggest such shows in the world. This brought more visitors to the Saint Clare Monastery on the weekend and it brought more business. The more people saw of the little horses, the more popular they became! Today the Saint Clare Monastery enjoys one of the best reputations in the world of miniature horses and is known world wide. Thanks to the efforts of all the Sisters there, Sister Angela and Sister Bernadette.

Sadly, in nineteen ninety-two, the seemingly tireless heart of Sister Bernadette came to rest. The legacy of Sister Bernadette, Sister Angela and all the Sisters of St. Clare can be seen at any show that features miniature horses.

The Monastary has miniature horses for sale year round as well as carts and leather harnesses for the horses. They also offer self guided tours all year long. Visit their site for hours and fees. I think you will find their prices are quite remarkable. If you plan to buy a miniature horse be sure to check them out. A miniature horse can pull 3 to 5 times its own weight and their average weight is from 50 to 100 lbs.