Islanders who pass by a horse farm at 6053 Island Crest Way will likely be surprised and delighted to learn of the arrival of a newborn foal.

The MI Funny Farm recently announced the birth of its newest member, Zara, on social media, which has generated significant response in the community. Zara was born around 12:30 p.m. on March 15 and is the first foal to be born on the Mercer Island equestrian property.

Purchased from the Stevenson family in 2012, the MI Funny Farm is a 5-acre private property and is owned by Mercer Island’s Ellison family. The Stevenson Farm had a 20-stall horse barn and was home to 10 horses when it closed in 2011, according to the Reporter archives. It had been boarding horses for 60 years.

The new facilities, designed by McClellan Architects, are nearing completion. The farm is still working on obtaining insurance and business licensing so it can begin a riding lesson program, according to its Facebook page.

There is a trail that runs along the side of the property, and the public is welcome to view the new foal and her mom, Bracken, from public viewing areas.

“Please do not enter the property/driveway or walk through the front garden,” MI Funny Farm posted. “Please remember to be calm and quiet during viewing, and always keep children from sitting on the fence for their own safety.”

The farm wrote that it appreciates its neighbors, who are “all a part of making Momma Bracken feel more comfortable, which will make baby that much better when everyone gets to meet her.”

Business updates will be available on Facebook, and more photos can be seen on Instagram @mi.funny.farm.

According to a post on My Mercer Island, Zara has been spotted prancing around her pasture (here’s a cute video) with watchful Bracken nearby. Other horses and ponies that enjoy the farm include Mary (the Matriarch) and daughter Saffron (a “teenager” in horse years); buddies Clover and Dash, who are rarely seen without each other; and Pye, nicknamed “the Scientist,” because of his solitary nature, often seen out observing the goings-on of the farm.

To see more photos of the horses, check out the “Meet the Horses” album on the MI Funny Farm Facebook page.