Ruby, a filly, shares a stall at Heritage Ministries’ Homestead Stables with her mother, Roxy. Ruby was born March 23 and named by Heritage residents. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

GERRY — Her name is Ruby, and she’s a filly just two weeks old.

What’s unique about Ruby is that she’s the first horse to be born at Homestead Stables, an extension of Gerry’s Heritage Ministries campus where residents can enjoy the therapeutic and recreational benefits of horse riding and observing the animals.

On March 23, red roan quarter horse Roxy gave birth to another two weeks earlier than anticipated following an 11-month pregnancy. A late-Saturday night birth featured no stable employees on the premises, but Stable Manager Heather Payne saw the birth via livestream. By the time she made her way back to work, a new horse had entered the Homestead family.

“It was like nature taking over,” said Lisa Haglund, vice president of marketing and development at Heritage. “It was a miracle.”

Haglund said that Roxy had already been four months pregnant when she was acquired by the Homestead Stables, which opened in December. The plan was always to rear another horse, and with no birthing complications to speak of, raising a filly (a word for a female horse less than four years of age) became another of the stables staff’s priorities.

“We are so blessed by the birth of Roxy’s filly,” Haglund said. “Spring and the Easter season are a sign of rebirth, and it was such a joy to share in the miracle of her own birth here at Homestead Stables.”

Numerous Heritage residents shared in Haglund’s enthusiasm as a baby shower was prepared for Ruby. The filly ran around for the first time in front of a crowd of guests, something Haglund noted as an example of how therapeutic horses can be for residents.

Residents even voted on the name “Ruby.” Three options had been voted on, and residents ended up choosing an appropriate option for a horse whose coat will shine with a reddish color once her infant hair begins to shed.

Payne also shared details regarding how Ruby will be raised. After five to six months, the filly can be weaned off of Roxy’s milk completely and be fed hay and grain like the other horses are. Two months into life, Homestead employees can start introducing solid food into her diet.

Ruby wobbles around like infant horses usually do. Not yet fully accustomed to her long legs, she still bounds with enthusiasm in her stall and shares inquisitive stares with new visitors.

Payne added that Ruby can be ridden two years from now. Once she’s fully grown, Ruby will be available for lessons, rides and therapy like other horses who call the stables home. Now with 35 horses to care for, Payne said they’re aiming to fill all 41 stalls this year.

Those interested in watching a livestream of Roxy and Ruby can visit facebook.com/homesteadstablesNY or twitch.tv/heritageministries

Follow Eric Zavinski at twitter.com/EZavinski