Lavern Bontrager

Lavern Bontrager, Percheron horses, Middlebury, IN in Elkhart County and the Michiana region near South Bend. Lavern Bontrager has been breeding Percheron horses for more than ten years, participating in national equine associations and ensuring regular health screenings for soundness and temperament.

Her horses live in open pasture with daily turnout and gentle handling from foaling onward, fostering calm temperaments and strong bonds with handlers. The farm follows time-honored draft horse traditions, raising gentle giants well suited to driving, trail riding and light farm work.

Each foaling season sees careful monitoring and specialized nutrition plans developed alongside a trusted veterinarian to support mare health and foal vitality. Her Percheron entries often appear at county agricultural fairs, giving visitors a chance to appreciate their size and steady disposition in person. Many callers note the sturdy build and steady temperament that define her foals, reflecting careful selection and socialization from an early age.