JSA RANCH

03/10/2025

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Make Them Carry Their Saddle
A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.
After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.
Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.
So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal

03/07/2025

If you know my story of Chief from here at JSA,then this story is all to familiar.
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A man rescues a horse from a slaughter truck for $200, unaware that he has just acquired a three-time champion.

From Kill Truck to Champion: The Remarkable Journey of Raven

What seemed like an ordinary rescue turned into an extraordinary story of triumph when Drew Boies, an amateur roper and farrier, unknowingly saved a future champion for just $200. Raven, a striking grulla yearling, was abandoned by a breeder who could no longer care for her, left facing a grim fate on a kill truck. Drawn to her unique coat and undeniable spirit, Boies took a chance on the frail filly, unaware of the incredible potential she possessed.

With dedication and care, Boies nursed Raven back to health, and by the age of three, she began her training. In 2016, competing under the name Ravens Silver Angel, she achieved what once seemed impossible—becoming a three-time Congress Champion. Her success cemented her status as an elite competitor and proved that second chances can lead to greatness.

Looking ahead, the Boies family is already planning Raven’s future, ensuring her retirement will be as rewarding as her competitive career. "Of course, she will retire with us at home and eventually bless us with some beautiful foals," shared Victoria Boies.

Raven’s journey underscores the pressing need to address unnecessary horse slaughter in the United States. According to the Humane Society, over 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year, many of whom could be rehomed with proper intervention. Efforts to curb overbreeding, educate owners on rehoming options, and expand adoption programs are essential to providing more horses with a second chance—just like Raven’s.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with compassion and commitment, horses at risk can go on to lead remarkable lives. "She is an exceptional mare who always gives her best," Victoria reflected. "We feel incredibly fortunate to have her in our lives."

03/01/2025

Only 1spot remains!!!! Last opportunity !
Update on the availability for our 6week lesson session/ starting the week of March 3rd / message to reserve! after these 3spots are gone we are full! $175 total for the 6week term!
Tuesdays/ 3:00pm
Tuesdays /5:30pm/filled
Thursdays/ 7:30pm/filled

dont miss out!!!

02/25/2025

Only 1spot remains!!!! Last opportunity!
Update on the availability for our 6week lesson session/ starting the week of March 3rd / message to reserve! after these 2 spots are gone we are full! $175 total for the 6week term!
Tuesdays/ 3:00pm
Thursdays/ 7:30pm/filled

Saturday 1:00pm/ filled
dont miss out!!!

02/25/2025

Horses are not stuffed toys, robots or cars.

But so many times, when we put a request out into the horse world for what we are looking for, we act like they are.

In fact, horses are thinking beings; they reflect the training invested in them. Time and experience behind the horse matters.

And they are flesh and blood, so they are not immortal. Their bodies aged. They are athletes that have wear and tear.

In the industry, we see people hoping for 8 year old bomb-proof, been there, done that geldings standing 16hh without special dietery needs, without injury or any health concerns constantly.
Fact is, that is a unicorn that typically does not "really" exist, but if he does, he is $50,000. Rightfully so, too.

Time and experience has no equal, though. So even a few years of great training doesn't negate a horse that has been around the block and been put in lots of situations and shown who he is many times.

Literally nothing is safer than a been there, done that, proven steed, and he is doing to have some wear and tear. He just will.
We MUST allow that these living, breathing beings are not immortal and immune to needing maintenance.

Some arthritis requiring previcox,
Senior feed,
Shoes,
Frequent floats,
Ulcer treatment,
Dry lots,
Alfalfa,
Knowing they probably have just 5 years or so of riding left. . .

These are all amoung things that should not be disqualifiers if you find a good, safe horse that has PROVEN over and over again to be a safe steady mount for beginners.

If you aren't willing to do maintenance on a horse, the absolute truth is, you should never own one, either.

02/22/2025

Looking for a part time horseback riding instructor to teach all levels of riding/ (kids and adults) must have extensive horse experience and be willing to work a schedule/ training is available to the right candidate/ contact the ranch or send resume to

JSA Ranch is a working horse farm in Knoxville, TN. We offer a number of services including trail rides, lessons, and summer camps. We also have a number of vacation rental experiences on property.

02/21/2025

Update on the availability for our 6week lesson session/ starting the week of March 3rd / message to reserve! after these 2 spots are gone we are full!
Tuesdays 3:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm/ filled
Thursday 7:30/
Saturday 1:00pm/ filled

02/20/2025

Running this special again until the end of February 2025/ book direct any dates for 2025 for this price! Contact us to book!

02/18/2025

Due to a few cancellations we have some limited availability for our next session/ $175 for the entire 6week session/ starts in less than 2 weeks! Dont miss out! Starts March 2nd! Yes 6 weeks for $175!!!

02/17/2025

A late fee of $50will be applied to any all accounts not paid in full 14days before session lessons start/if you pay your deposit to reserve a spot, it is your responsibility to get the remainder of account paid in full 2weeks before the session begins! This change is effective as of April 2025, Thanks for your attention in this matter.

02/10/2025

Truth

02/09/2025

Truth!

Teaching a child to ride gives them the reins to a richer life!

01/29/2025

Update on our next 6week session // we have very limited availability remaining, but unbelievably we still have some Saturday availability.
Saturday times available
11:30 am/ filled
12:00 noon
12:30 pm
1:00 pm
The entire session of 6weeks is only $175! You can pay a $50 deposit and claim your spot today before the available times are gone! Dont miss out on the opportunity of Saturday availability!
We also have 1 open on Thursdays as of this minute
Thursday availability is
4:00pm
7:00pm/ filled
Thats the only 1 remaining spot for week day lessons, Claim yours today before they’re gone!!
Monday and Tuesdays are completely full !!!

01/25/2025

Take the reins and transform your riding skills with our upcoming 6-week horsemanship and riding lesson session, kicking off the first week of March. Reserve your spot today with only a $50 deposit!

01/18/2025

Rodeo is hard.
Roping is hard.
Choose your hard.

Ranching is hard.
Farming is hard.
Choose your hard.

Training horses is hard.
Riding horses is hard.
Choose your hard.

Starting a business is hard.
Working at a 9-5 job is hard.
Choose your hard.

Saving money is hard.
Being broke is hard.
Choose your hard.

Following your dreams is hard.
Living with regrets is hard.
Choose your hard.

01/18/2025

We are still enrolling for our next 6week horsemanship/ Riding lessons/ ! Only $50 holds your spot! Dont miss out, we are almost full!