"Freya, Godess of Love, Beauty, Motherhood and all other nice, happy things and Milky-Way...God of Fluff
 
 I brought Freya a few months ago. I was having serious problems with my TB mare and had lost all love for horses. My mother suggested getting a young foal to mould myself my perfect horse. I thought this was stupid as I liked cows more than horses and really could not be bothered with the horrible things any more. But my brother, an aspiring Equine Vet, reckoned I should go and have a look about because it would build my confidence. Again, I thought this was stupid as all young horses are crazy, mad, horrible things that are out for blood.
 
Mum went on the net any way and every day had some new filly or colt to show me. I really wasn't intrested and things with my mare were getting worse. We had some serious issues!
 But then mum happened upon a very cute bay foal and for once it wasn't some stupid price. I had a look at the Silvertrees web site, fell in love with their stallion, even though I really don't like coloured horses, and rung up Max to have a chat.

My brother and I drove up to see her and there, amoungst all those poncy coloured things, was Freya, the most kind eyed, laid back filly I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My first thought was, 'what is she like with her feet?' So, been the stupid cow-girl that I am, I launched myself at her and grabbed her front foot, most unkindly. She didn't bat an eye lid. And that was what sold her. I brought her there and then and took her home a week later.

Since then, Freya has blossomed. She is now two years old and growing nicely. I got her feet trimed a while back and the farrier was very wary, knowing full well what young horses are like. He was shocked when my lovely little girl lifted all her feet up for him, didn't kick and didn't move unless he asked her to. Freya really couldn't care less what he did. She has never ever kicked or spooked, never bit and the first time I lunged her it was like she had done it forever. I can rug her up in the middle of the paddock, without a headcollar or rope, she doesn't mind me messing about with her ears and best of all, she has a complete respect for personal space, something my large TB doesn't! All in all, she is my perfect horse....even though I can't ride her yet! :o)

I brought Milky-Way for mum who had wanted a donkey since forever! He came of the float with Freya, who hated him for the first day then fell in love with his cute fluffy face the next. He isn't very big but is definitely the best thing to happen to me. He has such an attitude, loving you to death one minute and then completely ignoring you once you've stopped petting him. He basicly demands attention and of course, been such a looker, gets it. He calmed my TB mare right down, even though he is only 8 months old and I see him as a God Send in that respect. He 'owns' the paddok and is second only to mum, who he loves to bits. And look at that face! Who could say no to that?! I think you do a brilliant job with your babies!

Isabel Johnstone"

"We have recently brought a horse from Maxine Soler of " Silvertrees " He is a 18mth old pinto gelding. His name is Pollux, He is so beautiful in every way. He had a long trip to our place in Northland, staying a night in Bulls and a night in Auckland. When we picked him up at Ruakaka to float him home, he floated very well as he was calm and very quiet.

Pollux has now been on our property for 8 weeks and we are so pleased with him. He is very easy to handle, no problems with our 2 border collies or my 14yr old grand daughter "Lyree" to whom pollux is for. I am so thankful to Maxine who has been there for us all the way as this has been a new experience for us to have a young horse. He is just so easy to love, cause he's such a good boy. 

Thank you Maxine.
Ruth Waetford."

"Hi, my name is Tracey and I recently purchased a horse from Maxine Soler. My horse's name is Obie. He is a 2 year old Bay and white Tobiano gelding with beautiful markings. Maxine has an excellent attitude towards the horses that she breeds. Right from the time they are born, Maxine is there handling them and keeps on handling them. She doesn’t put them out in the paddock with their mums and forget about them. I think Maxine's horses are excellent to handle and are in the best condition. She loves her horses very much.

When I went to see Obie, I fell in love with him straight away. I can see now why it was so hard for Maxine to let him go. Handling Obie is very easy thanks to Maxine. When I first got him, I could pick up his feet, put a cover on him and lead him anywhere. Obie didn’t have a problem with all the farm dogs.

I have had him since February 2007 and I can do anything with him. I am mouthing him at the moment with the saddle on. In about a week I will be able to ride him around the yards. I can’t wait until he has finished growing out properly so I can take him out on the farm for longer rides. There is probably a lot more I could say about Maxine and her family of horses but it is hard to explain into words.

I would recommend Maxine's horses to anyone. So thank you very much Maxine!"

"I agreed to purchase ‘Arjohn Of Silvertrees’ in April 2007 with the understanding he could be collected soon after weaning in July.  As arranged with ‘Maxine Soler’ the breeder, the weanling would be handled, including his feet trimmed, tied up, groomed and loaded onto a horse trailer with one journey before collection time.  On arrival in July, I was delighted with not only the condition of the foal but also his emotion state.  He obviously was very accepting of his new environment, running alone in a paddock without mates, he as extremely secure in himself.  He had suffered little or even no stress during the weaning process.  He led without an undue pressure or hostility and behaved more like a perhaps 2 or 3 year old rather than a baby.  Loading was uneventful; he entered the trailer without hesitation beside a mare I took down to Porangahau as a traveling companion.  The journey home was again uneventful and unloading was not problematic. 

Since the purchase, Arjohn has competed at two A & P shows, with great success in Hawke’s Bay and Central Hawke’s Bay.  He now loads and travels beautifully without a companion, thanks to the foundation work he had with Maxine.  I have never had tying up issues with this youngster, he accepts where he is tied and is happy to remain there.  He has never been tied solid around the neck and I envision he will not need it in the future. Arjohn is a pleasure to have around and I am looking forward to him growing into a genuine, formidable horse of the future.  He will also compete at the Horse of The Year Show 2008, as he has been such a pleasure to train for lead-rein classes.   I would certainly invest in another youngster from Silvertrees in the future if I ever require another.

Jo Train .

"We picked up Ehlonna from Silvertrees Stud on 23 July 2007. Ehlonna loaded on the float like a pro and was a brilliant traveller during the three hour trip that was involved. She adapted very quickly to finding herself in strange surroundings and was the perfect young lady.

Maxine did a brilliant job preparing Ehlonna for her new home. We are very pleased to acquire such a well behaved youngster.

We recommend to anyone wanting to buy a Gambler youngster, to visit Maxine as her well behaved progeny and references from happy customers speak for themselves."

Leonie and Matt of Destiny Sporthorses.

Ehlonna been sold by Destiny Sporthorses to the South Island.

"Hi. My name is Sandy Doughty and I am the proud new owner of Cybele of Silvertrees, a filly bred by Maxine Soler of Silvertrees Stud and by her stallion The Gambler.

If you are looking at Maxine's web site and considering buying a young horse, then I can unreservedly recommend one of Maxine's animals to you. Not only do you get a quality animal, as Maxine is a discerning breeder and will not put inferior mares to her stallion, but you also will get a horse that has been well brought up. Maxine states on her web site that her foals are all handled from birth and will be taught to lead, tie up, have a cover on etc. I have seen how much work Maxine puts into her foals and this is not just a token claim.

The day my husband and I travelled over to pick up Cybele, it was cold and wet. Cybele was easy to catch in the paddock, stood while her cover was taken off, then she walked without hesitation up into a strange float and travelled for nearly 3 hours to her new home, without movement or sweating up. A Silvertrees bred horse also knows how to be a horse as they are brought up in a herd situation and are particularly well socialized. Cybele has fitted in brilliantly with my other two horses, one of which is a 3 and a half year old filly by The Gambler who has been under saddle since Christmas, so I am well aware of the fantastic nature that his stock have.

I firmly believe that what sets a Silvertrees foal apart from most others is Maxine herself. She has a genuine love of the horses she is breeding, and to her they do not just represent dollar signs, but are members of her family that she grieves over when they are sold and leaves her care. She makes a determined effort to keep in contact with all the young horses she has bred and takes a keen interest in their progress.

I am truly delighted with my new Gambler filly and I can't thank Maxine enough."