Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

We are very proud of our four-legged working partners. We maintain a herd of about 40 registered Quarterhorses, Appaloosas, and Paints for our saddle horses and two teams of Belgian, two teams of Percherons and one team of shire-cross for our sleigh and wagon rides. Most of the horses are either born and raised right here on the ranch or born on one of Janice's brothers' ranches. The horses are worked with and handled at an early age to begin adapting them to their future uses. As two-year olds, we begin their official training, getting them used to the saddle and working them in the round pen. They then graduate to the arena, and then to some short trail rides. We use a training system called the “Basic Handle,” founded by Monte Forman and Pat Wyse. This system creates a safe, responsive, and sensible horse. Of course, we carefully breed and maintain horses that have a disposition that lends itself to the guest ranch industry.

As three- and four-year-olds, these horses are used as mounts for our trail guides. Then, as five-year-olds, they begin their career as mounts for our guests. We use both mares and geldings and rotate mares in and out as they produce more offspring for our future string. Here is some more information about some of our horses:

	Rhythm - This non-colored Palomino appy is a 2005 model. His Dam in Peaches and he has her good size and sweet attitude. He will be ridden by the wranglers until his training is complete.
	Steppin up for Chex Cinco is a Quarter Horse gelding born in 2006. Roley will be starting this colt’s training in the spring of 2008. Come and see the work of the master’s hand on this young colt.
	Tivios Nu Jewel - "Reed" is an AQHA gelding born in 2006. This fancy palomino gelding shows the potential of being something pretty special. This is Isaac's next project horse. Reed was Isaac's green horse project for 4-H the summer of 2008. They did really great together and look forward to what next year holds.
	Snip A Lil Peppy - "Snip" is a cute little AQHA mare born in 2005. She also came off of Janice's brothers ranch and was purchased as a yearling. Her training in progressing nicely and you should see her taking guests out in 2010.
	High Speed Hotrod - "Hotrod" is a colorful Appaloosa gelding born in 2004. He is #9 of Katie’s offspring. He displays that same great disposition that Katie's babies always have. You will see Barb (Hotrods favorite wrangler) and the other Wranglers riding him on the trails in '09.
	"Barney" Barney is an Appaloosa gelding born around 1986. If you are a little cowpoke who is going to saddle up for the first time, Barney is sure to make your first ride fun and exciting.
	Jesses Lil Bo Badger “Billy” is a Quarter Horse gelding born May 8, 2003. He is still too young for guests to ride but you are sure to see one of our wranglers headed down the trail on this fun and faithful steed. If you happen to see him at the ranch, take the time to hear the stories of this daredevils near death experiences. He has the “battle wounds” to prove it.
	Chicks Perfect Doc - "Sisco" is a fancy AQHA buckskin gelding born in 2004. He was started by Roley as a two year old and then spent his four-year-old year as a 4-H horse for Erin (one of our wranglers). They made a great team and learned a lot together. You can look for Sisco to begin his trail riding career in 2009.
	SQH Blue Boys Image “Blue” is a blue roan Quarter Horse Gelding born in 2006. Be sure to catch Roley or Isaac putting the first rides on this promising young horse in the spring of 2008.
	SQH Dusti Blue Boy - "Dusty" is the half brother to blue and was also born in 2006. Training continues on these two boys, so watch for the wranglers riding them on your rides.
	Heeza Ka Do Last Chance "Chance" is the tenth and final foal of Katie, the ranch matriarch. He is an Appaloosa gelding born April of 2006. Come see Isaac putting the first rides on this big young horse in the spring of 2008.
	"Bill and Larry" This team of beautiful Belgian geldings came to the ranch the summer of 2008, thanks to the generosity of Mark Brinkmyer. These geldings are truly gentle giants and they look amazing hitched to our new wedding carriage.
	"Pearl and Duke" These two are the newest arrivals to the ranch being born in May of 2008. Pearl's mother is Dazzle and Duke is out of one of our draft mares, Selma, and is sired by Buddy. We look forward to watching these two grow up.
	Idaho Selma "Selma" and Idaho Konnie "Justice" - This team of Percheron mares came to live and work at the ranch in the fall of 2006. Justice was born in 1999 and Selma was born in 2001. No matter what season you come to visit the ranch, you are sure to see Justice and Selma pulling a wagon or sleigh full of excited guests. If you happen to come in the summer, you may have the rare opportunity to see one of the wranglers astride either of these big black mares.
	Will He Cowboy“Willie” is a Paint gelding born at Janice’s brother’s ranch on 1984. He was purchased by Roley and Janice in 1987 and has been a great addition to the ranch herd ever since. Listen to what Danielle, one of the wranglers, has to say about why Willie is one of her favorite horses: “If I am headed out to move cattle, horses, or people, I can always count on Willie to get the job done right. He has got the speed, power, and agility to chase down a stray cow, but he is laid back and level headed enough to mosey down the trail with a 6 year old on his back.”
	Amos and Andy - This duo of gentle giants have faithfully lived and worked at the ranch, delighting guests on sleigh rides and wagon rides since 1991. Amos, the oldest, was born in 1982 and Andy was born in 1983. These Percherons are dear to the hearts of all those who have had the pleasure of meeting them at the ranch.
	Highspeed Dun Lapped Um’ “Checkers” is an Appaloosa mare born on April 9, 2004. She is the daughter of “D.D.” another of the ranches faithful steeds. Checkers was started by Isaac at a Pat Wyse colt breaking clinic in Montana, however soon after her return to the ranch, Danielle took over her training. Watch for Danielle and this flashy little filly working on the ranch or training in the arena.
	Curly Curly is a paint gelding born on Janice’s brother’s ranch in 1991 and brought to live and work on our ranch in 1995. Curly has been the favorite of many guests who visit the ranch over the years, but none compare to Curly’s biggest fan Suzanne, who visits him regularly from New York.
	Doc’s Hopeful Remedy “Doc” is an Appaloosa gelding born in May of 1999; the fifth foal of Katie, the ranch matriarch. Doc is a big friendly horse that is sure to make any rider’s horseback adventure a great one.
	Katie’s Palomino Chick “Peaches” is an Appaloosa mare born on ??????, the fourth foal of Katie the ranch matriarch. She is a gentle and willing mount who has won the hearts of many ranch visitors. Peaches is Melissa’s (one of the wranglers) favorite horses to ride. Melissa gave her the nick name “Precious Peaches” which has stuck with her over the years.
	Katie “Katie” is one of the most cherished horses at the ranch. She is an Appaloosa mare born on ?????? and was purchased by Roley and Janice in ?????. Since the time that she came to the ranch she has been the mother to 10 of the best horses on the ranch. She even has grandchildren who are now working as horses for our guests to ride. Katie has earned the title of “Ranch Matriarch” and a well deserved retirement that she is currently enjoying.
	Bud and Velvet This brother-sister team of Shire cross draft horses, born in 1994, has been pulling sleighs and wagons full of guests at the ranch since 1999. The beauty and grace of this massive team will take your breath away.
	Katie’s Dun Deal “D.D.” is an Appaloosa mare born May 16, 1996, the third foal of Katie, the ranch matriarch. This easy going mare is kind and gentle; the perfect horse if you are a first timer, or if you are just a little nervous to saddle up. D.D. is sure to make your horseback experience a real pleasure.
	Katie’s Razzle Dazzle “Dazzle”, an Appaloosa mare born on May 25, 1995, is the second foal of Katie, the ranch matriarch. If you are an advanced rider Dazzle has the training and talent to give you a fun and exciting ride, or if you are a beginning rider she has the gentle attitude and quite manner perfect for a young or novice rider.
	Dolly Dolly is a Quarter Horse mare born in April of 1994. We can always count on Dolly to take care of the young or novice cowgirls and cowboys who come join us at the ranch.
	Moe Moe is a big Appaloosa cross gelding born around 1988. He is an easy going horse who will go pretty much anywhere you point him. Don’t expect hugs and kisses from this old boy though, he has a strict “don’t bother me” policy, unless of course you have and apple or carrot to share.