Pine Ridge Stable's

11/28/2024

11/10/2024

On Veteran’s Day, we honor our Sheldon Mustangs--descendants of the original ‘war horses’--who served their country in World Wars I and II.

U.S. contracts supplied horses to American and Allied forces. The horses in the area now known as the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), were one of the most well-documented areas where war horses were drafted to serve.

During World War I and World War II, military cavalry contractors would round up horses from the area. The horses were shipped to the East Coast. From there they made a trip across the Atlantic Ocean by ship. Horses that survived the journey pulled artillery or served as cavalry mounts.

It is estimated that every day and half, 500 American horses left to supply American and allied troops during World War I. Nearly eight million horses died in World War I alone.

The Wild Horse and B***o Act of 1974 protects wild mustangs as part of our American heritage. America’s wild horses are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Because the Sheldons were managed under the Fish and Wildlife Service, this law did not protect them.

In 2014, the government ‘zeroed out’ the Sheldon program. Most of the remaining Sheldon horses were shipped to slaughter.

A few remnants of the historic Sheldon herds were protected because they had migrated onto federal land and fell under federal jurisdiction. A few private sanctuaries were able to relocate some surviving Sheldon band horses.

There are very few surviving Sheldon Mustangs left in the world.

This Old Horse proudly provides sanctuary to 19 of them including 16 Sheldon stallions living out their best lives at our Wells Creek Wild Mustang Sanctuary in Goodhue, MN.

We honor their ancestors who fought side-by-side with soldiers to help save the world...the original horsepower of war.

Love is good.

10/26/2024

We have a new horse at the barn . We were letting her settle in for a bit before we posted her . Her name is Reggie - she is a Oldenburg. Dressage horse that had been previously shown and owned by a college pupil . She ended up at a local horse rescue. In 3 months she has settled in well.

10/26/2024

Last Friday my pupil that has done camp with me for a few summers came to spend the day with me . Our horse Chili was used for her first lesson . She rode Matt at camp and they work well together. One week of camp each summer she has improved so much and a very nice rider. The day went to fast ! On Saturday we had some new kids that met the horses for the first time. They will be back for lessons . New pupil came on Tuesday for a lesson and did great on Chili and she will be back to continue lessons . Chili is a very versatile horse for both disciplines.🐴

10/04/2024

Remembering Secretariat, who died 30 years ago today 🍁

"Weave for the might chestnut a tributary crown
Of autumn flowers, the brightest then when autumn leaves are brown
Hang up his bridle on the wall,
His saddle on the tree,
Till time shall bring some racing king
Worthy to wear as he!" -- By Charles Hatton

09/03/2024

This is a bit cute!! 😄😍

08/27/2024

Buck Brannaman:
I find that there are an awful lot of people that could certainly use some help to make them better horseman, but it’s like some of them get to a certain level and the only thing they ever really master is being a snob. With these modern riders, it’s almost like it’s not even about the horse anymore—it’s about them. It’s about how the horse can make them look good. In George’s (Morris) generation, it was about what they could do to make the horse look good. They were coming from a different place. There’s a lot more that George has to offer than just how to get your horse over a jump. Fine horsemanship goes way beyond that. The truth about the horse doesn’t change—and hasn’t for several lifetimes before we were here. What’s true about horses today is the same as what was true about them hundreds of years ago. Horsemen like George, who have a logical approach and teach the basic fundamentals, will always be successful. He’s right—there are no shortcuts. Good horsemanship will always prevail over the latest gimmick sold at your local tack shop. It doesn’t matter which discipline of riding you’re talking about.