Horse Haven Ranch

07/07/2024

Just another scorching evening at 7:19 pm here in St. George! 🌞 Feast your eyes on these snapshots—left side shows the blazing outside heat, while the right side showcases the ultimate chill zone: my barn! 😎 Thanks to some top-notch insulation, a reliable swamp cooler, misters, fans, and shade sails, we’ve completely revamped this space. All the hard work from last summer has seriously paid off. 🙌

Did it cost a pretty penny? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Without a doubt! With a stunning 27-degree drop in temperature, our barn has become the coolest retreat in Southern Utah. Feeling super proud right now! 🔧🌡️

07/02/2024

We have some sad news to share, as well as some gratitude. One of my long-term clients who came to stay with us last night, her horse colicked nearly right after he came off the trailer. Cayla Moore (Moore Equine Veterinary) and Clancy Mortensen of Dixie Veterinary Clinic did everything they could to help him. Unfortunately he passed in the night. While we have excellent veterinary care, unfortunately we don't have a surgical facility here that he needed and he wouldn't have been able to make the trek to Vegas (our closest). It is heartbreaking. My heart breaks open for them and in proper timing I found this out when I was cleaning Sammy's stall and standing in the spot where John had passed. These moments are brutal. We wanted to thank these vets for doing everything they could, and ask that your thoughts and prayers be sent to his owners. ❤️

06/24/2024

What a whirlwind we’ve had lately! 🌀 While we’ve been catching you all up, we had some unexpected but delightful guests – a pair of gorgeous Arabian twins! 🌟❤️ Their owner's truck broke down, and we were more than happy to offer our turnouts for an overnight stay. 🐴 The horses quickly learned to use the feeders and adapted to the canopies blowing in the wind like naturals. 🍃 It was heartwarming to see them so calm and happy, and by the next morning, they were grooming each other like old friends. 😍 If you're ever passing through St. George, Utah and need a place for your horses - check us out! Pre-register online and reserve your spot today! We even have a place for you to stay on-site with them! 🏇 horsehavenranch.org 🌿🐎🧡

06/21/2024

06/17/2024

Filling hay bags can be quite the task, especially when dealing with large ones and no big bin to rely on! Here’s my little hack: I use two buckets to make it easier and quicker. 😃🐴 It's been a game changer for me! 🕒💪 What methods do you use to fill your hay bags? Share your tips and tricks in the comments! 📝👇

Had a good laugh looking at this video my husband shot with the wide lens! Everything looks so stretched, even my hair is doing its own thing! 😂

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06/17/2024

Phew, what a scorcher today! 🌞 Can you believe it hit a sizzling 100 degrees (and that's not even the high today)? 🔥 We kicked things off early to beat the heat, but Mother Nature had other plans. Our round pen was too deep and not safe for training, so we switched gears. How, you ask? By beefing up the runs with extra dirt! 🌿 And that's not all – we added some much-needed shade on the other side of the barn to keep our boarders horses comfy who are staying over this upcoming week. 🐴

The walk path got a little TLC too. With all that sweat and toil, a two-hour nap was the perfect reward! 😴 We've still got plenty on our to-do list, but today's progress feels pretty amazing. 🌟 Want to see all the tools and products we used to get the job done? Check out the full video! 📹

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06/16/2024

Hey everyone! 🌞🐴 Excited to share part 2️⃣ of our instructional video on assembling and super reinforcing those ShelterLogic canopy covers for our beloved horses! 🏕️

You might wonder why we go to so much trouble? Simple! It's scorching hot here in St. George, and our horses absolutely adore having some cool shade to relax under. But more importantly, we want that shade to last and withstand anything Mother Nature throws at it! 💪🌿

Big thanks to everyone following along and supporting our efforts to keep our horses happy and comfortable. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks in upcoming videos! 📹✨

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06/15/2024

Owning and running a horse boarding facility isn't for the faint of heart! 🏇 There's so much that goes into it that many might not realize. For instance, building an indoor arena can cost into the of six figures! 😲 Its $80,000 to $100,000 just to cover my turnouts—not including the land - and that's not an enclosed arena! 🌱 Creating shade on a budget! 🌞🐴 When the prices for permanent covers skyrocketed, we had to think outside the box to keep our horses cool in the turnouts. 🧠💡 Tackling wind and horses means we had to super reinforce these covers to withstand the elements. Stay tuned because I'll be sharing step-by-step how we made it happen! From the covers to the reinforcements, each setup cost us roughly $300 (not including the equipment we rented). It's a lot cheaper and just as effective for now until we can afford something more permanent! 🛠️😁 And did you know that we have to refill the sand in our runs every year or two? Talk about some intense weekend projects! 🏗️ Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes action and see how we manage!

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06/15/2024

Did you know we did a complete renovation on the King Suite to make it what it is today? From moving walls to repositioning the bar right inside the room, it was quite the makeover! 🛠️🍸

I would love to share more details about the renovation process or any specific products we used. Just comment below on what you'd like to know more about! 📝

This suite has been a massive hit with equestrians passing through town, and it's getting rave reviews everywhere—from Google to Yelp to Facebook! 🐴🙌

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P.S. Don't forget to check out the video and let me know your thoughts! 🎥💭❤️

06/13/2024

🔥✨ Insulation Hack Alert! ✨🔥

Hey friends! 🌟 Whether you’re battling summer scorchers or winter chills, I’ve got an insulation setup that’s a game-changer for any season. With my trusty swamp cooler, fans, and misters, I used to get it down to a comfy 85° even when it was a blistering 105°+ outside. But guess what? With this hack, I managed to drop it to a blissful 78°! 😍🙌

Here’s the magic formula:
🔹 Swamp Cooler – Mastercool
🔹 Fans – Air King 9020 1/6 HP (thank you, Amazon!)
🔹 Insulation – Prodex from Insulation4Less.com
🔹 Misters – Also snagged from Amazon
(+ Door blockers)

Stay cool (or warm) and hack your space for ultimate comfort! 💧💨❄️🌞

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06/08/2024

Well, the good news is I just found out, approximately, what my value is worth in the equestrian working market. Ryan and I have a trip planned soon, and it's my only trip for the whole year. I work Monday through Sunday, before sun up to well past sundown every single day , every single month. That's a lot of days, that's a lot of hours. This is what horses are. And that's why you will hear many horse owners say that they can't go anywhere, or do anything, because they have horses. Because they don't have somebody that they can trust to take care of their horses the way that they do.

Fortunately, that's what I built horse Haven Ranch to be. I wanted it to be the best, healthiest, and cleanest facility that caters specifically to owners and their horses, that it reaches every need that they have, and keeps them as happy and healthy as possible.

To have this facility, to keep it to the standard, and to have everything in it that we do, it's not cheap. When you look at a boarding facility, whether it's mine or somebody else's, do not immediately think that they are wealthy. Granted, they could be, but most of us are land rich and cash poor. When you look at a facility, look at every little detail of it. Everything had to be purchased from a hose and a bucket, down to the dirt beneath it. Everything you see at one time or another had to be bought. Most of the stuff has to be fixed or replaced, sometimes yearly. This doesn't include all of the other stuff such as utilities, taxes, insurance, etc.

And that's for the facility. In just over 3 months I spent over $700 on a vet bill for little licorice, My Little pony. Some was vaccinations, some was test for Cushing's or ppid as it's now known, and some is his ongoing prednisone medication so that he doesn't rip his coat out itching! He is in perfect health right now and I am perfectly happy to give him every penny that I have.

And it's literally every penny. When I calculate up the amount that the facility brings in, what it costs to run it, things that have to be fixed, and paying back what it took to get it up and running (including all of the things for the VRBO), 99.9% of the income that I make goes back into the facility. It goes to paying bills, improvements, and repairs

When I found somebody who would actually do what I do, down to every little detail to keep everything as it is while I was gone, I was floored...to say the least. It's such a different perspective when you are the facility owner versus the facility worker. It's easy to work for a place, you put in your hours, you get paid, and then you go back to your life. But when you're the owner, your life is the facility. It doesn't turn off, it doesn't shut down, It is on all the time, even in your head. So when you see the memes that talk about if you're a business owner, you need to get extremely comfortable with being extremely uncomfortable - yeah - It's like that.

The reality is I'm in an industry that most people are not part of. The equestrian world is its own separate world. The majority of people can't relate to us and all of our OCD nuisances (especially our obsession with weather). So I put myself in this world that I love, and then I built a niche in that world. It is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love Horse Haven Ranch. When I talk about it, I often think of it and even speak of it like it is a person, a living thing. It is. It is my heart, my passion, my obsession , and my purpose. When you put that much of yourself into something, it really starts to come alive.

So we are going on our fourth year being open, and we are still here, we are still open, and we are gaining more clients and getting stronger every year. We are changing expectations of what overnight boarding for horses should be, and showing people it can be better - it should be better. We have the rare and precious responsibility to care for horses, and we need to do it the best way we can.

So thank you, to all of my clients. Regardless if you stopped over just once for relocating, are a constant visitor, or are a long-term boarder - you have helped us to stay in business. You have helped us to know that this is something important to you. We keep going because of you.

And to my husband, Ryan D Bolton - this place wouldn't exist without you. You are the reason I even have this place and have been able to build it to what it is now. Without you, HHR would be nothing more than a dream. Thank you for letting me be a horse-girl, as crazy as it is (and I am), and being flexible with putting the horses first (especially Sam-Sam), and letting me have my first horse...although I think you put him in the dryer for too long, because he's mini sized 😂

05/27/2024

It's an incredibly fulfilling experience when you've invested a significant amount of effort and resources into creating a comfortable environment for your horses and their living space, and it pays off in the end. Witnessing their genuine love and appreciation for it is truly heartwarming. If you're wondering what it takes to construct a climate-controlled barn, let me share with you what we've accomplished!

We've gone above and beyond to ensure the utmost comfort for our equine friends. Each run and stall, both indoors and outdoors, is equipped with misters to keep the temperature just right. Additionally, every indoor stall has its own individual fan, designed with a closed motor for safety purposes. To combat the scorching heat, we've installed a 2400 square foot evaporative cooler with a thermostat, ensuring a cool and refreshing atmosphere throughout the entire barn. Moreover, we've utilized Prodex insulation to provide optimal insulation and regulate the temperature effectively. On the right side of the barn, where the sun tends to be relentless, we've installed sun shades for the runs. And for the turnouts, we've set up Shelter logic canopies to offer protection from the elements.

Today, with the temperature soaring to 96 degrees, it's a relief to see Sammy standing comfortably in his run, enjoying the shade, misters, and even dozing off so deeply that his bottom lip droops. The contentment of our horses brings us immense joy, and we take pride in providing a boarding experience that prioritizes their mental and physical well-being. When searching for a boarding facility that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of your horse, look no further. We specialize in a range of boarding options, including overnight, layover, short-term, and retirement/special needs long-term boarding. Your horse's mental and physical health is our utmost concern, and we are dedicated to providing them with the best possible care.

Horsehavenranch.org

05/26/2024

Nutrition matters - exercise matters - everything you do for them matters! ❤️

We adopted Licorice last August. The top picture was at his last owner's place. He suffered from terrible allergies and would scratch his coat off until he bled, so they had to keep him locked inside and fed 1/2 flake grass twice/day.

He has had a complete haul-over at our place. His main source of feed is Teff - fed throughout the day with his hay pillow. Tribute Essential K supplement for all the 'good' stuff without starches and sugars. Camelina Oil. AniMED HistAll natural allergy relief. Prednisone steroid. He's constantly moving whether through hand-walking or turnouts.

When we got him he tested positive for PPID (Cushing's) and positive IR. With all the changes we wanted to wait before putting him on Prascend and see if anything happened.

Last week he tested negative for PPID 😯 ‼️ ‼️ ‼️

Check out my beautiful beefy boy 💪. So proud of his development! ❤️. He is just the best little horse ever.

Does your horse need an overhaul as well? We offer short-term care for healing and recovery for many different things!

05/26/2024

PSA: This is for people who don't know the value of a fly mask, what it is, or what it does 🙂 horse owners, horse lovers, and just people in general!

First off, horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal. Because they are set on the side of the face, and they protrude slightly, they are susceptible to an enormous amount of injuries. (They don't have a brow bone like we do to help protect the eye). This ranges from just something poking their eye, to getting dust in it, to even having bugs on their eyes. This Is the primary reason people use fly masks.

But did you know that they also protect their eyes from the sun? Even though horses have a really cool system built into their eye, these also function like sunglasses. They have different levels of protection, so always check with the manufacturer to see the level, but this is why, no matter what, I am always putting fly masks on. (Also, I know what it's like to be in the bright sun and not have sunglasses, and it is not fun!)

For those of you who have seen horses with these on, and have always thought.... How can the horses see? Why are they blindfolded? I wanted to show you this. I held up my camera to the inside and took pictures through it so you can see how horses see! It's just like a screen over your door.

What are your favorite fly masks? Which ones do you like the most? 🙂 Do you have any questions about fly masks? Let me know!

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05/18/2024

Located in St. George, UT, Horse Haven Ranch is a top-of-the-line 5-star luxury facility that provides overnight, short-term, and in certain cases, long-term boarding for horses. Our ranch may be smaller in size, with a total of 11 stalls, but we take pride in the excellent care and attention we provide to each horse that stays with us. With six indoor stalls featuring attached runs in our premium barn, which is affectionately known as the healing and recovery center, we focus on the mental and physical well-being of every horse in our care.

At Horse Haven Ranch, we believe in catering to the individual needs of each horse that enters our facility, from their feeding schedule to their grooming routine. Our goal is to offer the best possible care to maximize their overall health and happiness. With a quiet and drama-free environment, we ensure that each horse receives the attention and love they deserve. Owners are kept informed of their horse's well-being with regular updates, including any peculiar behavior or simply sharing special moments through pictures.

Our facility is not open to the public, ensuring a secure and peaceful environment for the horses. We offer unparalleled amenities, including indoor stalls with world-class orthopedic floors, climate control, individual fans, and spacious runs. Specializing in one-on-one care for horses with unique needs such as past injuries, metabolic issues, or advanced age, we are dedicated to providing a serene atmosphere where horses can thrive. If you are looking for a facility that prioritizes individualized care, attention to detail, and a tranquil setting, Horse Haven Ranch is the perfect place for your beloved equine companion.

If our facility sounds like a good fit for what you're looking for, reach out to us to schedule a walk-through! You can also tour our facility virtually through the website http://www.horsehavenranch.org

Please note: These stalls are $750/month and the price does not include feed. Owners are welcome to provide their own, or work through us with our supplier. We do test our hay (we have a probe on-site) and have access to a myriad of excellent options (including Teff!) All of our food and supplements are weighed out specifically for each horse's individual needs.

05/10/2024

ST. GEORGE — The Gaucho Derby is a 500-kilometer horse race through some of the most rugged mountain terrain in the world, and it was conquered by a St. George local. Scott Nielsen, a project manager at Black Desert Resort, competed in the 2023 event in nine days to finish the endurance race, a te...

05/09/2024

Check out what we do with our outside water bucket for Sammy to keep it clean and cool in high winds and hot sun 🙂

04/30/2024

You asked, I answered! Topic: Sunshades for the barn. In this video I show how we have it set up, the products we used, and where we got them. also talk about the benefits we've seen with them and why we love them! Let me know which topic you would like to talk about next

04/30/2024

You know you're a horse girl when.....

Your camera roll looks like this! 😂. Anyone else relate? About 85% of my roll is horses, 14% dogs, and 1% everything else

04/29/2024

Here are some answers to your questions about flies, floors, and shavings! We have a facility that is like a Four Seasons Resort for horses, so our level of cleanliness is vital! listen along to see and hear what we use and how we work in our barn ❤️

04/28/2024

Good evening everyone! I am thrilled to announce that our facility is now available for booking on VRBO, providing a fantastic boarding option for both horse owners and non-horse owners. Located just five minutes away from Downtown St. George, Red Mountain Resort, Black Desert Resort, Tuacahn, and Snow Canyon, our facility offers unparalleled convenience. Not only are we surrounded by essential amenities such as grocery stores and gas stations, but we also have a movie theatre just a block away. Whether you are planning a relaxing getaway, bringing your beloved horses for a stay, or simply passing through, we guarantee you an exceptional experience with our renowned hospitality, which has earned us numerous 5-star reviews on Google. Rest assured, we value and pamper all our guests, including your furry friends, as we are pet-friendly too. Please note that horse bookings are handled separately from VRBO and must be made directly through us.

https://www.vrbo.com/3975376

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04/26/2024

Yesterday was filled with some amazing moments! I took a stroll with my little buddy Licorice, or "Lic-Lic" as I like to call him. 🥰 We greeted the neighbor's horses and bumped into our friend Sammy along the way. 👋🐴🥰 We searched high and low for patches of grass for them to munch on, and just when we were heading back, we stumbled upon a fantastic spot! It had a magnificent tree 🌳providing shade and plenty of long grass for them to graze on. Both Licorice and Sammy had a blast and got a good workout. 💪Later, we headed to Dr. Cayla Moore's for the boys' appointment. Sammy received his fall vaccines 💉and was sedated for his sheath cleaning (gelding owners can relate! 🤣). I absolutely adore Sammy's sedated, droopy face with the adorable puppy slobber 🥰. Licorice also got his vaccines and kept Sammy company until he fully recovered. I'm thrilled with the video and pictures I captured. 📷 Days like these are truly special! If you want to see more of these two - and

04/23/2024

Tired of struggling with heavy hay bales? Try using a ratchet strap to save your back! Watch our video to see how we effortlessly unload and move 100+ pound bales with the help of a ratchet strap. Don't let hay bales hurt your hands anymore - make your life easier by using a ratchet strap for moving them around.

Check out Horse Haven Ranch, St. George’s video.

04/22/2024

Our unwavering passion and dedication to horses shine through in everything we do, ensuring the best for both horses and their owners. Whether they stay with us for a short period or longer, we are committed to raising the standards of overnight boarding to be better, healthier, and safer for all.

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to provide the best possible care for horses and their owners, ensuring a harmonious and fulfilling experience for all involved. This dedication is what sets us apart and drives us to continually improve and innovate in the field of equestrian care and services.