02/10/2025
So, im going to take a moment to make a long winded post, that is not meant to offend, but meant to stand up for ourselves. I don’t normally feel the need to defend myself to anyone, and have been brushing off the crap online cause let’s honestly consider the source, but I have been hearing a lot of criticism floating around and a lot of it is very unfairly negative after the huge amount of charity and support that we have given these people, never having asked for anything in return.
So here it is:
Running a farm is tough. Things break, there are only so many hours in a day, only so many tasks that can be completed in those hours and only so many things that our small family run barn can get accomplished. We do our absolute best every single day. Our kids are up at the crack of dawn, feeding all the indoor horses, and turning out. We muck, rebed and set all 11stalls daily, fill 8 water troughs with our can am until this spring when we are installing water posts. We ensure that every paddock has no less than 3 horses to each bale, which means we on average have 4-5 bales of hay in each pasture and a minimum of two in our paddock. We have rescue horses that we rehabilitate on our own dime, and do not ask for hand outs. This means keeping a variety of hay, supplements, medications and professionals on hand at all times. We work with a fantastic team of professionals who are absolutely incredible, from our hay guy to our vets and farriers.
Do we need more hands? Absolutely! Do we need more money? Who doesn’t?! but we also don’t charge crazy board amounts, don’t have a roster of staff available to us or have unlimited funds to pay a staff what they are worth to take on the tasks that we as a family get done every single day. Sometimes we need a break as a family. Our community here is awesome at stepping up and helping out. See a bucket that needs filling? Fill it up! Trough looks green cause it’s been hot or there’s a been a storm? The scrub brushes are always available. We have some amazing people who help out without criticism. That’s how a community facility works.
We embarked on this journey not to become rich, cause let’s face it, way more goes out than ever comes in, but to share our love of the animals with others and bring our kids up knowing this life.
So why am I making this post? What’s the motivation? I am truly hurt by the people who have come and gone that have walked all over us, the good nature of our facility, and the people who give their all every single day, myself included. We treat everyone who is here like family, like a part of our world. This is not a huge facility with the top of the line anything yet. We have built, fixed, repaired and installed more than many people can understand. We have done a lot in the year and a half that we have been here and I for one and extremely proud of what we have created! Rome wasn’t built in a day. So, here are a few of our accomplishments:
A) I have a huge heart and people take advantage of that often. Board not paid, work not done, free rides, sad sob stories that tug on those heart strings, and let’s not forget the “omg you’re so great and I love you so much” as long as I bow to your every whim. These people are no longer a part of our community here and I consider that a win. Our goal is to manage this place like a community, like a family. When we have a harmonious balance, we all thrive. A few people have tried to ruin that, but we will not allow it because our barn is strong with good people with genuine intentions. Those who aren’t willing to give and always take are not welcome here. Life has been far happier without them.
b) we rescue horses. This means that sometimes they come to us in poor shape, but we always fatten them up, get them the care and attention they need, rehab their minds as well as their bodies…. What ever it takes. Case in point: a few before and after photos will accompany this post. We have had a few people try to make it out like these horses are starved here. I can absolutely assure you it is the exact opposite. It’s actually disturbingly offensive to hear some of the things coming out of peoples mouths who just a short time ago were 100% a part of this community, but clearly not for the right reasons.
C) if you are boarding at a place, and you do not have the courtesy to understand that your horse is your responsibility, you should not be boarding at a facility where you require boarding fees to be small or nil, you clearly require more management and should pay accordingly. That’s how this business works.
D) if you are getting a free ride, know that that barn owner is taking on a massive financial burden for your enjoyment of an animal that requires huge financial responsibility on the part of the owner. Step up and show up every day for your horse, or up your board so they can be managed to the level they need to be. You do not have the right to then pin mismanagement allegations on the barn owner, (especially when board is stiffly discounted or forgiven all together). I implore you to please think twice about what you say and the stones you throw, cause stones can be thrown right back, but we generally try to rise above that as barn owners and chalk it up to poor taste.
And finally….. after a long winded post that I was hoping I wouldn’t have to make, but the few out weigh the many: stay in your lane. If you aren’t forking out the money to purchase a facility, manage it on your own, and put in the sweat equity, then just keep your rumours, twisted words and negativity to yourselves. We don’t need people like you in this industry and those who behave this way are the reason why so many good people give up and quit. Not us! We will continue on. We will continue to keep our circle small and will be far more diligent choosing the people we serve everyday.
Before and afters below. 👇🏻
Boarding, Lessons, Cowboy Experience. Horse Ranch
