The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch

06/07/2024

We are all set up and ready for the 50/50 raffle at the Princeton Speedway tonight. Come buy some tickets and learn about our programs.

06/03/2024

We will be at the Princeton Speedway selling 50/50 raffle tickets this Friday June 7th. Gates open at 530ish, racing starts at 7. Hope to see everyone there, watch the races and learn more about our programs while able to win some money!!!! Must be present to win...Tickets are 1 for $1, 6 for $5, 15 for $10 and we can get creative for higher prices and increasing your ticket chances to win. Sorry no pre-sale tickets available. The winning ticket will be announced during intermission.

05/12/2024

We had a fantastic weekend here on the ranch. We hosted a Confidence Training with Bridle Up with Dennis Auslam. We had 7 people participating in the clinic and they all learned a lot and built amazing relationships with their horse. We also had about 20 people come and spectate throughout the days. There are some already talking about wanting to do another clinic with the horse they brought or a different horse. Everyone had an amazing time and we had beautiful weather. Thank you so much Dennis for coming and to his two volunteers who helped. Attached are some of the pictures from the weekend. We hope to host events and variations like this in the future. Contact us with requests, like saddle fittings, bemer, pemf, equine chiropractor or other interests.

03/20/2024

We are extremely excited to announce the arrival of Snax to The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch!

She is a 17 year old Quarter Horse that loves attention and loves her snacks. She is getting along well with pasture mates Rosie and Tex.

She came to us by referral from someone that has a special place in her heart for Frank and our King. Snax is apart of our retirement and healing horses program.

Please help is welcome this beautiful girl to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch!

02/08/2024

UPDATE: we are pleased to announce that the biopsy results came in and Frank's surgery was deemed corrective. They removed all the cancerous cells and caught it before it spread...again THANK YOU to all that donated to save this big boy! Please let us know if you want to come visit him and his friends.

02/01/2024

Happy to announce Frank's surgery went without complications. He is back at the Ranch and doing well. He does need to have a fly mask on to prevent him from getting anything in the eye and incision. He will be receiving a few days of extra pampering and confined to a stall, but he would be happy to have some visitors. Please let us know if you are interested in coming out to give him some extra love!

02/01/2024

Good morning all! Frank is loaded up and on his way to the eye specialist to have the tumor removed.

Thank you to all those who have donated or shared our fundraiser. It is still open on our gofundme site. All are welcome to come visit him. And if you prefer to donate by check please feel free to come visit him and drop it off or mail it to us.

Also, if you would like to get some Padres Sauce, all proceeds from now until February 15th will be going towards Franks surgery. You can get your sauce here: https://www.padressauce.com/

https://gofund.me/ff4bd093

02/01/2024

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and shared our post. We greatly appreciate it. Tomorrow is the big day and we will be keeping the link open.

We forgot to put in our post yesterday that if you wish to donate but not through the gofundme site, please feel free to come out to drop it off. It's a great way to come and meet the handsome gentle giant. You can also send us a check by mail.

We appreciate all the support! Thank you!

01/31/2024

Those are all the wonderful things we wanted to share. This next update is a little less wonderful, but very important about one of our retirement horses. A few weeks ago, our vet came out to do a routine appointment on Frank and we asked our vet to look at his left eye as he had some constant discharge. Our vet examined him and found a tumor on his third eye lid. We made an appointment for him with an eye specialist, and it was confirmed to be cancerous. Thankfully it has not spread, but it eventually will if not removed soon. If you know or have met Frank, you know he deserves the chance to retire healthy, happy and pain free. He has an amazing disposition and the definition of a gentle giant.

The cost of his surgery is estimated to be $1,600. Since our revenue is based off of donations, sponsorships, and grants, we do not have the surplus of funds to cover the full cost of the surgery. However, due to the immediate need, we have scheduled the surgery to occur on February 1, 2024. We are asking for your support to help with the costs. Any help, $5, $20 or more is truly and deeply appreciated – every little bit adds up quickly. Since we are a 501c3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible.

We have set up a gofundme fundraiser where you can make a donation and we will provide an updare after his surgery in how he is doing. https://gofund.me/25461509

We also offer company/corporate sponsorships to not only help those in need (our horses and our participants), but also to give back to the community and show your support. See www.woodenhorseshoeranch.org/volunteering-and-sponsorships.html to learn more about our sponsorship program.

In addition, all proceeds from purchases of Padre’s Sauce, today through February 15th, 2024, will go directly towards Frank’s surgery. Visit www.padressauce.com to place your order. Select ‘pickup’ instead of shipping and come meet Frank in person and get your delicious sauces.

We invite any and all to come visit with Frank, or any of our horses, to see what they can do and why this is so important to not only us, but everyone that has interacted with him. We welcome those that know him to post or send us your stories to share with others.

We have volunteer opportunities, team building, or simple group/family outings. Everyone knows the pure physical power of horses, but everyone should know the emotional and caring side of them too. These are amazing animals and deserve that chance to prove it.

Please contact us if you have any questions, would like to schedule a tour and meet Frank and his friends, or would like to participate in our programs. Thank you!

01/29/2024

We are extremely excited to introduce you all to this handsome boy to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch as a retirement horse named Frank.

He is a 26 year old Belgian who came to us from the same carriage company as King. The two of them were buddies. What is amazing and so special is we got Frank on October 3 which is exactly a year from when we got King. We were supposed to get him a little over a week before, but that is when we had our baby, and it was delayed. Frank is also in the same pasture as Dreamer, who was Kings seeing eye horse. 💖

Frank is just as loving and gentle. We are very excited to add him to our therapy horse program.

Please help us welcome Frank to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch.

01/29/2024

A few months ago we submitted an application for a grant to the Minnesota Horse Council to help us build a wheelchair accessible cart that would be pulled by one of our ponies. Last weekend we attended the Minnesota Horse Council annual meeting, as members, and received our grant award. Below is our submission.

The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch was established in 2020 and approved for non-profit in 2022. The primary goal of the organization is to provide a safe home for horses that are no longer able to compete, ride or where the owners are unable to continue care for their horses but can still serve a purpose. For those horses that are able through our horse retirement program, we offer them the ability to give back to those in need by participating in our horse therapy program and for educational purposes through our youth camp program to learn about horses and how to care and handle them safely.

The Healing Horse Therapy caters to those with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities primarily focusing on Veterans, First Responders and Special Olympic athletes and their families. Through various fundraising events, corporate sponsorships and community donations, this is a free service for our participants and their family.

We are building a wheelchair-accessible pony cart that would allow those with physical disabilities to enjoy, participate and experience driving a cart.

We receive multiple inquiries and lots of interest in being able to provide this service. In 2023, we provided services for 107 participants, 28 were special needs while 4 were wheelchair based. Although they were able to participate in the therapy, we were unable to give them that pleasure and experience.

Attached is a picture of a similar cart we would like build with this grant.

01/28/2024

We are extremely excited to introduce you all to this beautiful girl to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch as a retirement horse name Piper who came to us on November 5th.

She is a 17 year old Quarter Horse who came to us from an owner who previously donated Maggie to us. Piper and Maggie are reunited in the same pasture and loving being back together. Piper is the sweetest and loves to follow us around when we are in the pasture. She is now apart of our therapy horse program.

Please help us welcome Piper to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch.

01/28/2024

We are very excited to introduce you all to this handsome boy to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch as a retirement horse name Tex who came to us on October 5th.

He is around 12 years old and a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse. Tex came to us in a bit of an urgent fashion. We were contacted by his previous owners on October 4th on taking in him and his friend Koda. That night Koda ended up colicing and passed away. The previous owners called us to see if we could come and get Tex right away so he wouldn’t be alone and in pain missing his friend. We moved some things around and went to get him as we know how much horses hurt when they lose their friend and need comfort and support. Humans not only need therapy, horses do as well.

Tex is a very gentle boy that loves all the pets, hugs and kisses. He can do some light riding and is apart of our therapy horse program.

Please help us welcome Tex to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch.

01/27/2024

Hello all!!!! We apologize for not providing updates on our ranch for a while. We had our daughter, and then we had to get ready the ranch ready for winter, and then the holidays hit. But we have some amazing updates to share. We will be doing individual posts for each item which includes: a new member to the ranch, retirement horses, a very special grant we received, and some news.

First up, our new member of the ranch and one of the reasons why we have been delayed in posting.

We are VERY EXCITED to share the birth of our daughter Maggie who was born the end of September. She has already made rounds to see and meet the horses. We can’t wait for her to really spend time with them once it gets a little warmer and learn the ropes.

Mom and baby are doing great!

11/17/2023

Thank you to all who donated during the give to the max mn event. With a couple company matches pending we raised $2,300. This is enough for a few months of hay, grain, meds and farrier work. This was a huge help especially as winter approaches.

We also invite you, your families, coworkers, place of business for volunteer opportunities and team building while spending time with our amazing horses. We do private events, tours and company/corporate sponsorships. Its also a great way to advertise your community support.

Contact us for more information or visit our website https://www.woodenhorseshoeranch.org/volunteering-and-sponsorships.html

Non-Profit Equine Organization

11/15/2023

Early donations have started but Thursday November 16th is official give to the max mn day donate through this link. Anything and everything helps to provide our services at no charge to our participants and their families.

Visit our website to learn more about all our programs.

Thank you!

The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit charitable organization primarily specializing in youth educational horse camp, boarding facilities, carriage rides, healing horse therapy for those with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, foster horse...

11/07/2023

More photos from J. Callahan Photography

11/07/2023

First video of the ranch and aerial photos are now available courtesy of J. Callahan Photography . He did an amazing job.

More on the trails and property to come in the spring.

We have 1 opening left for boarding. Check out our website for more details on boarding, healing horses, our other programs, or to schedule a tour. www.woodenhorseshoeranch.org

https://youtu.be/vEqmrgmtRMc

This video is an arial tour of the Wooden Horseshoe Ranch in Dalbo, MN.

11/03/2023

We have had a busy and successful year so far, but still a few months left to make it an amazing one. There are more exciting news on the horizon for 2024 coming soon. Although we were fortunate to have a few sponsors this year our fundraising has been limited due to how busy we became in helping others. We are an organization participating in the "give to the max event" for mn based non-profits Nov 16th. (Www.givemn.org/organization/Wooden-Horseshoe-Ranch) We absolutely appreciate anything and everything that you can donate, share the page, or spread the word...every penny raised goes directly to support the services we offer in order for our participants to have no cost to them and their families with our programs for healing horses (for those with physical, emotional and/or intellectual disabilities), horse retirement, horse foster care and others.

If you are interested in learning more about our cause, scheduling a tour, or participate in our programs, please visit our website and fill out the form or contact us directly. https://www.givemn.org/organization/Wooden-Horseshoe-Ranch

09/15/2023

King.......boy oh boy! He came to us from a carriage company that wanted to give him a good home for retirement as they could no longer use him. He was 80% blind. Over the winter we noticed that he was having troubles being able to see out of the 20% he had left when he got here. After some observations and our vet testing both eyes, it was determined that he was 100% blind. In the spring we took him to see a eye specialist to see if there was anything we could do for him and sadly it wad just way too late. He was also showing signs of great pain and had swelling in one eye. He also started showing signs of pain in his right shoulder and was stumbling a lot due to the pain.

We made many modifications around the ranch for him the first couple days he was here. We knew we needed to get him a buddy that could guide him and protect him. We tried a couple of our adult horses, but they just weren't a match. Matt then thought of a goat, but I (Carol) wasn't too keen on the idea. I wanted to try our retirement pony Dreamer. So we tried Dreamer with King, our smallest horse and our biggest horse on the ranch and they hit it off instantly. She knew exactly what he needed. She guarded him from running into the fencing, showed him where the hay and water was and tried to scratch him.....but could only get so high! Every night when it was time to come into the barn, Dreamer would follow King to his stall to make sure he got there and was ok. They loved each other so much and Dreamer held her head high every day knowing she had a very important job to do.

King also got very attached to two of our boarding horses that were in the next area. The four of them bonded and always hated when they weren't together. They would get extremely upset. Some of our boarders would spend some quality time with him before going and seeing their own horses.

Having to put King down was honestly the hardest decision for us. He came to be apart of our healing horses program, which he did an amazing job with. But what we didn't know was how much we needed him for ourselves. He was our therapy horse and we miss him every day! King, our boy, you are no longer in pain but we have some healing to do after losing you. He was laid to rest on August 17 and has a very special place up on top of a hill on our propery.

09/14/2023

Pepe was with us just a month short of a year. She came to us with cushings and really bad arthritis in her back end. We actually didn't think she was going to make it through the winter last year. She had a hard time walking around and that cold really got to her. She was a trooper though and made it through, and as it warmed up, she was able to move around more. Sadly though, her cushionings got worse over the summer and she started to decline again with walking and her arthritis. She could barely make it to the water trough and back to the hay.

Her personality really shined while she was here. She loved being in a pasture near our Clydesdales.......she and Jack immediately fell in love and would cuddle over the fence. She also HATED baths. Matt gave her a bath, and boy did she hate it.....she loved to be dirty. After that bath Matt gave her, she would glare at him and swear any time he drove past her pasture. She would run away from him if he went in her pasture. She was an absolute sweetheart and is dearly missed. She connected with 3 individual therapy participants and part of multiple group events. She is no longer in pain. She was laid to rest on August 17 and has a very special spot on the property where we can visit.

09/14/2023

As we noted a couple weeks ago we sadly had to put down three of our retirement horses. We apologize for not doing their memorials sooner. We needed time to process things and we have also been preparing our ranch for winter before we have our baby.

Tabasco was only with us for a couple month's. He came to us from a horse rescue. We knew he was blind in one eye. During his time with us we observed him and noticed he was having troubles with his other eye, a lot of swelling, drainage and having issues seeing in spots. The vet confirmed the eye had mutliple scar tissues and was painful. He was lame in one of his legs and unable to sustain a consitent walk.

Even though he wasn't with us for long, we got to see some of his personality. He was a sweet boy but also very timmed. He started coming to us when we had treats and slowly started letting us pet him. His pain ended Aug 17 and laid to rest on the property.

08/20/2023

We have had some very hard and emotional last few days here on the ranch. We sadly had to put down 3 of our retirement horses. A couple we have had for almost a year and one just a few months. All 3 were scheduled and due to decline health. No matter if its schedule, or how long or short they are here, it is still extremely hard for us, the other horses and even our dogs. All the horses and dogs could sense the change and have been sad right along with us.

All of our retirement horses do not leave the property once they are here. That includes once they pass. We have a very special spot on our property where each one has their individual burial spot and will have their name ingraved on headstones.

We will be posting individual memorials for each one in the coming days.
Matt Nosko
Carol Nosko

08/05/2023

We are very excited to announce that American Pumpkin Cream Pie or "Pumpkin" will be attending the MN state Fair Aug 24-26 in the horse barn, stall #1, representing the American cream draft horse association this year. Come see her, learn about the breed and get your Pumpkin hugs. Matt Nosko Carol Nosko American Cream Draft Horse

07/02/2023

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Here at the ranch we still have loads to do while hoping to enjoy bits and pieces of the holiday. Yesterday Matt was busy building a shelter with help from his brother and a friend. We are doing a few last minute touches to the pasture this morning to prepare for a new boarding horse joining the ranch later today.

If you are ever looking for volunteer opportunities, we are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit charitable organization. We have had one volunteer event here already this summer and another event in the works. But you don't have to wait for an event, if you want to volunteer or do a group volunteer work day, we have more shelters like this to build, along with cottages and wood fencing. We also have other volunteer opportunities available such as taking care of our horses: brushing them, giving them water, walking, and cleaning out stalls. Please feel free to reach out to us here or our through our website.

We also have more spots open for boarding. Please reach out to us for more information or by filling out the form on our website.

https://www.woodenhorseshoeranch.org/

06/18/2023

It's been a busy few weeks at the ranch with various events and visitors. Had a special session this morning with Shadow to create a big smile and lifelong memory for this little future cowgirl.

Contact us for special events, therapy sessions, boarding or take a tour. Www.woodenhorseshoeranch.org

06/05/2023

We are very excited to introduce two new retirement horses added to The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch today.

Piper is the beautiful Paint/Appaloosa who is 21. Tabasco is a gelding and 18. They made themselves at home the second they got off the trailer and into their pasture.

Please welcome Piper and Tabasco to Wooden Horseshoe Ranch!

04/28/2023

Pumpkin had her first presentation today at noon for the Parade of Breeds. She did absolutely amazing and loved all the attention.

Today she will be in the colliseum again at 430.

Tomorrow and Sunday she will be showing in the colliseum at noon ane 4:30. Come see her and cheer her on.

04/26/2023

Today is prep day here at The Wooden Horseshoe Ranch for the MN Horse Expo. We are making sure all of our other horses are all set up, cleaning the barn, cleaning the truck, cleaning and packing the horse trailer (we need all the tack supplies), and doing some ground work with Pumpkin and Peanut.

We are so excited to see everyone, so please don't forget to stop by and see us Friday through Sunday in the horse barn at stalls PB2-PB4 (formerly 615-617).

04/19/2023

We will be at the MN Horse Expo next weekend, April 28 through April 30. We will have our beautiful American Cream Draft Pumpkin with her best friend and our Missouri Foxtrotter Peanut.

We will be showing Pumpkin during the Parade of Breeds to allow people to learn about her and her endangered breed.

Come visit us at our stalls to learn more and meet Pumpkin and her best friend Peanut. We will be in stalls BP2-PB4 (formerly 615-617).