Crooked Creek Ranch

01/04/2026

The Wolf Moon adventure!

It hid behind the clouds and snow for most of the evening but the trek was still quite bright and magical.

🌕 Next moon walk: February 1st

01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year ✨

From our home to yours, we wish you peace, love and good health in 2026.

01/01/2026

It was just over two years since the owner had passed. The herd was doing well but many uncertainties still lay ahead. Some days, they gathered near the pasture’s edge, ears forward, as if listening for footsteps that would never come again. Other days, they scattered freely, grazing in quiet confidence.

Different people came out to visit now and then - no one consistent though. They meant well, and the horses sensed it. Still, there was an unspoken question that hovered in the fields: What happens next? Meetings were held far from the paddocks. Words like “future,” “funding,” and “plans” drifted through the air without ever quite settling.

Gertie took it upon herself to stand watch. She positioned herself at the highest point of the pasture each evening, silhouetted against the setting sun. From there, she could see everything - the creek that bent like a ribbon through the grass, the road beyond the paddocks, and the row barn where the ponies frolicked and played. The others seemed to draw comfort from her presence, gathering nearby as dusk fell.

Change was coming. Everyone felt it, even the girl. But there was also something else growing quietly alongside the uncertainty: resolve. Each day brought small signs - a repaired fence, a fresh bale of hay, a child’s soft hand resting against a warm neck. Whatever lay ahead would not be faced alone. The past still lived in memories held close, but the future, unwritten and fragile, waited patiently, ready to be shaped by those willing to stay.

As we close out this chapter, our story does not come to an end. The uncertainties don’t vanish, paperwork still waits and funds are never guaranteed - but hope has a firmer footing now.

Please join us as we emerge in the year of the horse, Crooked Creek Ranch & Standardbred Sanctuary.

Should you feel compelled to donate to the general care of the herd you may do so via EFT to [email protected] and earmark a note to “Herd Care.”

12/28/2025

Bookings still available!

Reserve your spot today and enjoy a guided tour of our stunning ranch, meet our incredible horses, and get up close and personal with our playful pony pal corral!

• Reservation required
• Open 7 days per week, excluding holidays
• Admission fee $40 per group, max. 10
• 1 hour tour

Please note that all proceeds generated support Camp Nature Horse Youth Programs and Crooked Creek Ranch & Standardbred Sanctuary.

12/25/2025

The herd would face one more move before landing in their forever home as the owner had fallen ill. For the past few months he had been getting sicker. The signs were subtle at first - he had to slow down, and then he started missing days at the barn. The decision had been made for the horses to live with the girl, where they would be safe, loved, and cared for.

As the trailer bounced along the road, the horses stood still, their eyes wide and alert. They could smell the change in the air, the unfamiliar scents of the new pasture and trees. It wasn’t the barn they had grown up in, but there was something comforting about the rolling hills and open spaces that awaited them.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm light over the herd. The girl stood at the fence, watching them. She had made a promise to the owner, and now she was keeping it. The horses would have a forever home. Here, they would never have to worry again.

Please join us again on Friday as we continue to share our story. A journey to the heart. Welcome to our Standardbred Sanctuary.

Should you feel compelled to donate to the general care of the herd you may do so via EFT to [email protected] and earmark a note to “Herd Care.”

12/22/2025

“The magic we never outgrow
is the way a horse still softens us.
The way our breath slows
the moment we step into a barn.
The way our hearts recognize home
before our minds catch up.”

There is a kind of magic
you never really outgrow.

It starts when you’re young—
before the world teaches you practicality,
before life adds weight to your shoulders,
before you learn how to quiet your dreams.

It starts the first time
you look at a horse
and feel something stir inside you
that you can’t explain.

As kids, we feel it without question.
We believe in it completely.
We dream boldly.
We imagine freely.
We love without hesitation.

And then we grow up.

Life gets louder.
Responsibilities stack up.
Time becomes something we’re always short on.

But somehow…
that magic stays.

It changes shape.
It deepens.
It becomes quieter, steadier, more rooted—
but it never leaves.

The magic we never outgrow
is the way a horse still softens us.
The way our breath slows
the moment we step into a barn.
The way our hearts recognize home
before our minds catch up.

It’s the way we still feel peace
standing beside a horse in silence.
The way a warm muzzle
can ground us
on days when everything feels overwhelming.

As adults, we understand more now.
We know how fragile time is.
How fleeting moments can be.
How deeply love can hurt
and heal at the same time.

And that makes the magic stronger.

Because now we don’t just believe in it—
we appreciate it.

We know how rare it is
to love something this deeply.
To connect without words.
To feel seen by a soul
that asks nothing more
than honesty and presence.

The magic we never outgrow
isn’t about fantasy.
It’s about connection.
About remembering who we are
when the world tries to pull us
in too many directions.

It lives in early mornings
and quiet evenings.
In dusty boots and tired bodies.
In moments that don’t look extraordinary
to anyone else—
but mean everything to us.

And maybe that’s the beauty of it.

The magic doesn’t fade with age.
It matures with us.
It meets us in new seasons—
in healing,
in motherhood,
in loss,
in becoming.

It reminds us
that some parts of our hearts
were never meant to grow smaller.

They were meant to grow deeper.

So if you still feel it—
that pull,
that peace,
that unexplainable love for horses—
know this:

The magic is there for you, always.

You're holding onto something sacred.

Have you experienced this?

12/21/2025

The following year would bring the very last foal to be born. This decision was incredibly difficult for the owner as he had dedicated his life to preserving the lineage of his herd. Times had changed though. There was no more joy to be found in harness racing. It had become a sport of greed and dishonesty and had lost its grass roots feel. Too many horses were being pushed beyond their capacity. Injuries were covered up with injections, and substance abuse was at a record high. It was during this time that the owner officially raised the white flag on horse racing.

Johnny Rock arrived, a beautiful, long-legged bay c**t. He was much bigger than the average foal, which would prove to be a challenge for him. Johnny had trouble nursing due to his enormous size and was taken to a special facility, with his dam, Harriett, to be looked after. The girl went daily to sit with them. Watching the bond between a mare and her foal was truly amazing - but something wasn’t quite right with these two.

Harriett was a maiden mare, and sometimes they can be known to abandon their foals. She may have sensed that Johnny was ill and weak, or she may not have possessed the natural maternal instincts required to raise a foal. So, without hesitation, the girl took it upon herself to care for Johnny.

At just two months of age the girl made provisions to bring Johnny home where he would join another youngster named Jack. Early socialization and bonding is very important for young horses. It was the best decision for Johnny. Here, he would have the opportunity to grow, play and be nurtured.

🎄 ♥️ 🎄 ♥️

Please join us again on Monday as we continue to share our story. A journey to the heart. Welcome to our Standardbred Sanctuary.

Should you feel compelled to donate to Johnny’s care you may do so via EFT to [email protected] and earmark a note to “Johnny.”

12/20/2025

To all of you last minute shoppers out there, we’ve still got some ranch swag and gift cards available!

🎄 Baseball Cap $30

🎅🏼 Toque $25

🌟 Gift Cards for Pony Pals, Equine
Encounters, and 2026 Camp Nature
Horse programs

Drop a DM to purchase and schedule a pick up.

Happy shopping 🛍️

12/18/2025

The years came and went with the horses, and still the girl remained. Through the good and through the bad, she became the pillar of safety in their lives. Safety is so important to a horses well-being, and essential for minimizing stress and building trust. The ultimate test of this trust would come during foaling season, as the young girl would have to assist the broodmares with the deliveries of their sweet, four-legged, bundles of joy.

Larger stalls were used for birthing, made soft and warm for comfort. Emergency kits were prepared and the veterinarian was put on standby. Stella began to show signs of labour. She was up and down, looking at her sides, and panicked. Stella was a first time mom who had no idea what was happening to her body. The girl unlatched the door and stepped inside the stall. With quiet, reassuring words she settled in beside the mare who had captured her heart and expedited this grand adventure.

Northern Max was born in the wee hours of the morning. A cheeky little thing who took his first steps instantly and began mouthing everything that he could get close to. He was playful and inquisitive, kind-eyed and naturally a charmer. Named to honour a very special horse, Max would have some enormous shoes to fill.

🎄 ♥️ 🎄 ♥️

Max’s role in the story is important because he goes on to be the ambassador of the herd. His social etiquette and unique personality captivate all who are privileged to grace his presence.

Please join us again on Thursday as we continue to share our story. A journey to the heart. Welcome to our Standardbred Sanctuary.

Should you feel compelled to donate to Max’s care you may do so via EFT to [email protected] and earmark a note to “Max.”