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Zelda is a Zorse, a horse Zebra hybrid.
While she is not the only Zorse in existence, she is a rare cross breed between a Belgian draft horse and a Grevy's Zebra, and is most likely only one of two animals in existence of this specific cross. Zelda is a large, stocky girl standing at 16.2 hands tall. She has very unique coloring that shows a combination of Belgian draft and Grevy’s Zebra. Zelda loves being with her herd at home, consisting of other horses and donkeys. She is definitely known as the caretaker of the bunch! Zelda shares her food bowl with others and even helps her owners herd the horses inside when it’s time to go off pasture!
Born in 1997, Zelda started her life in Kentucky and was trained to be ridden, something not all Zorses can be trained to do, due to the stubborn temperament they can inherit from Zebras. She came to Jerry and Cheryl Johnson after a Michigan estate, housing many exotic animals, closed. Luckily for Zelda she inherited the draft horse’s gentle, calm, and sweet demeanor and the Johnsons have been using her as an ambassador for the Zorse breed, riding and taking her to fairs and other functions.
Cheryl and Jerry love to show their special mare to the public to educate everyone on Zorses and Zebras. They love and cherish Zelda, but do not recommend Zorse ownership overall. Zelda is incredibly rewarding but she is also a lot of work, and a Zorse is not a suitable riding partner for most people! Zebras, even those born in captivity, are known to be quite dangerous and extremely stubborn. While Zorses have one domestic parent, they are still harder to tame, harder to train, and overall harder to handle than a horse, having a much stronger flight instinct than horses. Though being a draft cross is probably part of the reason Zelda is calmer and gentler than many other Zebra crosses, a lot of credit goes to her expert home and patient owners being able to dedicate their time and skills to make her the well rounded, happy, unique riding mount that she is.
February 14, 2022
My daughter was just asking me if Breyer made a donkey, a zebra and a Zorse or Zonkey. I told them I doubt it, but here there may be a chance? I sure would like to surprise her with one…
November 29, 2021
She’s absolutely STUNNING ! Most definitely would buy a model of her!!
September 20, 2021
Oh she is gorgeous. She definitely needs to be a Breyer model. We need her in a Breyer Model!!!
August 31, 2021
Oooooo she is amazing and very unique! I would love to see a Breyer of Zelda!! Fingers crossed!!🤞🏼🤞🏼
July 26, 2021
Jerry L. Johnson has a facebook page and often gives us updates on Zelda as well as his other equines and his enviable lifestyle. He is horseman enough to have taken a MULE up to first level dressage! Which is to say: he is as wonderful as Zelda. Yes, my money’s definitely available if you make a model of Zelda; please note her long ears when choosing a mold.
July 20, 2021
We need a Breyer model of her!!! So stunning!
July 20, 2021
Why is she named Zelda? Is she named after the video game character?
July 17, 2021
Zelda should have been a special model this year. She is stunning and special.
July 17, 2021
I love her!! I would love to see this on a Breyer! She would look amazing on the new fjord
July 17, 2021
We need a model done of Zelda !! What a cutie!!
July 17, 2021
Oh my what a beauty. This is fun . Thank you Breyer crew . Shopped yesterday and free now to explore all of what is available. Love this Zhorse.
July 17, 2021
She is fabulous. Make her a Fjord or Wixom! Definitely would purchase
July 17, 2021
She is gorgeous, she’s DEFINITELY deserving of her own model! Please make her a regular run I would buy one in a HEARTBEAT!!!!
July 17, 2021
Why isn’t there a model of her yet? DX She’s beautiful!
July 17, 2021
very neat looking, I would so buy this model. My husbands first question was does it sound like a zebra or a horse?
July 17, 2021
You need to make her a breyer horse model !! She is amazing and so is her owner !!
July 17, 2021
OMG!you must for sure make zelda a Breyer model please do it.
July 16, 2021
MAKE HER ON WIXOM!!
July 16, 2021
Please make a model of this lovely animal.
July 16, 2021
Gorgeous! Yes, please make her a Breyer model for everyone to enjoy!
July 16, 2021
I want a Zelda model.
July 16, 2021
Zelda happens to be my nickname! Lol. What an incredible beauty she is! I would love to see Breyer create a model of her. I’m sure everyone would love one!
July 16, 2021
She is awesome!!! Have to make her part of breyer’s regular run line up. I know for sure I would buy one!!!
July 16, 2021
Oh, she is just gorgeous!!!
July 16, 2021
I have cared for Zelda and the rest of her equine friends at her Michigan home, she is an amazing and beautiful animal. I would love to have a Breyer model of her!!
July 16, 2021
I would buy her if she was a model!
July 16, 2021
She’s beautiful! What a wonderful ambassador!
July 16, 2021
Beautiful animal, is she also trained to harness? They always say that zebra and zebra x are hard to train. I remember reading in old equine books (1880’s) trying zebra and crosses in Africa to use in draft and stagecoaches, because tsetse flies.
July 16, 2021
please make a Breyer portrait model of this beautiful horse pleassssssssssssse.
July 16, 2021
She is my all time favorite equine, I wish Breyer would make a model zorse.
July 16, 2021
I think she would make a beautiful Breyer model.
July 16, 2021
What a great story – love your beautiful Zelda!!
July 16, 2021
Yes please, sign me up for a model that represents Zelda!! Great post, thank you!
July 16, 2021
She is so pretty!
July 16, 2021
She is beautiful. Breyer think about doing a factory custom special of her on the Troubador mold. mold,
July 16, 2021
I love zelda
July 16, 2021
Wow that’s something you don’t see every day!
July 16, 2021
Oh is she the the 7 arts surprise?! Love her!!
July 16, 2021
oh my goodness! she is so darn cute! you NEED to make her a model! I would totally buy it.
July 16, 2021
OMG!!!! YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT A BREYER MODEL!!!!!
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Karen Maas
March 21, 2022
I have judged the lovely Zelda at the Michigan State Fair Saddle Mule and Donkey Show. She was my Grand Champion Molly Mule due to her balanced and correct conformation and her lovely way of going. Zelda and Jerry are a wonderful pair!