A zebroid in the Buttes: An introduction to Little Buttes Farm
Mar. 8—If you've ever taken a drive through the Sutter Buttes, you may have come across a menagerie of interesting animals tucked away off Pass Road. Over the years, reported sightings have included peacocks, llamas, labradoodles, fainting goats, ponies, camels, miniature horses, kangaroos, zebus, and even a zebroid.
The farm in question has been referred to as Little Buttes Farm or Little Buttes Pumpkin Farm which started hosting community events back in 2021. These included both a spring and barn show and featured local vendors, a petting zoo, and a very popular giant sand pile for kids to play in.
The events stopped after April 2023 due to reported obstacles with parking permits and the fact that Annie Houston, one of the primary organizers, was still recovering from a new series of spinal surgeries.
"She was hit by a motorcycle her senior year in high school and it really caused a lot of damage," said Tamara Houston, one of the farm's owners. "She was backing a horse trailer into our driveway when a motorcycle hit her. It was terrible, he passed away on impact, it was a very sad day."
The life-changing incident occurred in 2016 but didn't appear to slow the young cowgirl down.
In 2019, Annie Houston again made headlines for becoming the first women in history to qualify for the semi-finals at the esteemed American Rodeo in Texas. This came on the heels of the 2018 rodeo season which ended with Houston being ranked third in the West Coast Region and 21st in the nation in breakaway roping for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
Annie Houston, Tamara Houston's youngest daughter, grew up on Little Buttes Farm and attended Sutter Union High School before heading off to UC Davis. There she studied animal science with a specific focus in equine genetics.
In a video interview posted by Kelly Trudell in 2021, Houston explained that she was at a loss after graduation due to the overwhelming amount of pandemic-related closures. With no rodeos in sight and her own horse set to retire, Houston started brainstorming productive ideas which led to the family's first pumpkin farm event.
Inquiries about the barn soon sparked a massive three-week cleaning project that resulted in a rustic and charming event space. Her sister, Kaitlyn Houston, helped in sourcing vendors which strictly focused on local businesses and handmade items.
Tamara Houston, a proud mother and court reporter, has lived on Little Buttes Farm for 28 years now. Her passion for animals led her to volunteer with various rescue and rehabilitation groups where she has helped foster a good number of different animals, both native and exotic. In the past she has hosted field trips and petting zoos for local schools and organizations, however troubles with maintaining proper insurance has quelled much of that activity.
The zebu and zebroid are some of the most interesting features in her current herd. A zebu is
is a type of domestic cattle originating in South Asia. They have become well adapted to high temperatures and are farmed throughout the tropics, being used as draught and riding animals, in addition to beef, dairy, and a variety of other by-products.
A zebroid on the other hand refers to a series of zebra-equine hybrids. Houston's zebroid, 23-year-old Zelda, may be referred to as a "zonkey" being half donkey and half zebra — on her paternal side. Zelda came from a traveling petting zoo where she retired at just six months old before coming to live on Houston's farm.
"I love doing rescue work and many of these animals are rescues," said Houston. "I had a camel for years. We've raised wallabies and kangaroos and have had so many animals over the years. I've even had Fish and Game reach out to me because people will bring baby deer and want me to help them, but I get too attached."
As Annie Houston continues to recover, the family looks forward to one day hosting more barn shows and pumpkin patches. In the meantime, those passing through the area are free to pull over and view the animals from the fence line located at 8575 Pass Rd. in Sutter. Signs have been clearly placed stating that the feeding and petting of these animals is strictly prohibited by outsiders. Owners ask that onlookers please respect this for both health and safety purposes.
