Common Questions
& Other Facts
We have gathered some of our most commonly asked questions here.
If you are seeking basic information on any horse, you can find that information on the world wide web. We reserve this space for questions and information specific to the ranch that may not be found else where on this website.
Feel free to email us and ask, we answer all sincere inquiries.
Questions About Missy
- What breed of dog is Missy?
- Why does Missy always ride on the right side?
- Why can’t Missy ride with other riders?
- What does Missy eat?
Questions About The Horses
- How long does a horse live?
- Why do some of the horses have horse shoes on their feet?
- Does it hurt the horse when the shoes are nailed on?
- Why do some of the horses wear those boot things?
- Does the horse ever have to go to the doctor?
- Why don’t you bath your horses?
Questions On Feeding
- What type of hay do you feed the horses?
- How much hay do you feed?
- How much does hay cost?
- Why don’t you feed the horses fresh pasture grass?
- What type of grain do you feed the horses?
- What else do the horses eat?
Questions About The Ranch
Questions On Riding
- Why won’t you allow the horse to run?
- Why do you lean forward when riding up a hill and lean back when riding down a hill?
- Why won’t you allow riders to ride double or two at a time?
- Why do you use a hackamore instead of a bit?
Other Stuff
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Questions About Missy, The Horseback Riding Dog
What breed of dog is Missy?
Missy is a Miniature Bichon Frise.
The Bichon Frise breed is normally 16-22 pounds. Missy weighs less than ten pounds.
Read more about Missy by visiting her webpage.
Click here to jump to Missys web page.
Why does Missy always ride on the right side?
Missy rides on the right side of the horse because it is easiery to protect and control
her on that side.
The trail guide usually mounts and dismounts the horse on the left; with Missy being on
the other side, she does not get squished when the trail guide mounts or dismounts. The
trail guide is also right handed. So when Missy gets excited and leans out of the carry
bag to smell or bark, the trail guide is more capable in reaching down to keep her from
falling out of the carry bag.
Why can’t Missy ride with other riders?
Missy rides only with the trail guide for her own protection.
The trail guide is most familiar with both the reactions of the horses and Missy. The trail
guide makes sure that the horse does not accidentally squish Missy against a tree truck
or another horse, etc. The trail guide also watches Missy for signals that she might need
something, i.e. a drink of water, to go to the bathroom, etc.
What does Missy eat?
Missy main diet is a balance of fresh roasted chicken, raw vegetables, and fruit. Yes, she eats people food. She also receives a canine vitamin. She does eat other foods such as pork and yogurt. And she often gets treats of cheese, ice cream, and peanuts.
Questions About The Horses
How long does a horse live?
We tell our horses that they live forever.
Some horses have lived into their 50’s, but normally 20-30 years old is
an old horse. Note that generally a horse is considered a year older on the first
day of January, no matter when their actual birth day is.
Why do some of the horses have horse shoes on their feet?
Some horses have stronger hooves than others.
Horse shoes help protect the weaker hooves, so we only put shoes on those horses hooves
that need them.
Does it hurt the horse when the shoes are nailed on?
If the shoes are nailed on properly, they do not hurt the horse.
We hire a professional farrier to trim and shoe our horses. And the farrier carefully
hammers the nails through the thick hoof wall, not the living tissue of the horses foot.
Why do some of the horses wear those boot things?
Like horse shoes, boots protect the horses hooves. We use boots when a horse looses a shoe and we cannot get the farrier out before a ride. Boots will also add extra cushion for a horse that may have a recent stone bruise or other minor hoof injury. And we might use boots if we are riding an extremely long and sharp rocky trail.
Does the horse ever have to go to the doctor?
Yes, when a horse gets very sick or severely injures itself, we have to take it to
a veterinarian that specializes in horse care.
Fortunately, our horses are healthy and veterinary visits are very rare.
Why don’t you bath your horses?
Horses roll in dirt and sand to get dirty on purpose, this dirt provides a natural
deterant to flies and other biting insects. Bathing the horse(s) would remove that
dirt barrier.
Dirt also provides a sunblock. More than half of our horses have pink skin (usually under
the white hairs, etc). This pink skin sunburns easily in the Spring & Summer months.
We sometimes put suntan lotion (Waterbaby brand) on their noses for extra protection.
Questions On Feeding
What type of hay do you feed the horses?
Alfalfa is our first choice of hay. Although we do often mix the alfalfa with some good
quality local grass hay.
Alfalfa is high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals needed by more energetic
or hard working animals. The local grass hay does not contain the same nutritional
value as alfalfa, but it does provide something for the animals to pick at or chew on while
waiting for their regular meals of alfalfa.
How much hay do you feed?
Each horse gets about 25 pounds of alfalfa a day. We feed a large flake of alfalfa to
everyone, twice a day. A flake is about 4-5 inches thick.
Occasionally a horse is fed a little more or a little less, as we watch their weight.
If someone is getting fat, we feed that horse a thinner flake; if someone looks thin,
we feed them a thicker flake. And on those days where they will be out riding all day
long, we give them extra hay too.
We feed 2 bales of alfalfa a day. A bale of alfalfa weighs between 90 and
110 pounds.
How much does hay cost?
This year (2017), good quality alfalfa hay is costing $20-22 a bale. Because we feed about
three tons a month, we purchase our hay by the ton.
In 2016, alfalfa hay was $320 a ton.
In 2015, alfalfa hay was $350 a ton.
In 2013/2014, alfalfa hay was $300-340 a ton.
In 2011, hay was at its highest and we paid between $360-380 a ton.
In 2010, alfalfa hay was $200-$240 a ton.
In 2008 and 2009, we paid $145 a ton and in earlier years, we paid $95 or less per ton.
Why don’t you feed the horses fresh pasture grass?
The soil on the ranch is mostly rock so it does not grow sufficient grass to
support horses.
A little bit of grass does grow and the horses are allowed to graze it, but their diet
must be supplimented with alfalfa for them to remain at a healthy weight.
What type of grain do you feed the horses?
Because we feed a high quality alfalfa, the horses get all their needed nutrition from that
hay and do not require additional grain.
Echo does receive grain, only because he has lost his back teeth and cannot sufficiently
chew the hay for its nutritional value. So twice a day, he gets about 8 pounds of pelleted
Senior Feed (grain for older horses) that has been soaked to soften the pellets. He also
gets alfalfa hay like the other horses, but he picks through and only nibbles on the more
tender leaves and stalks.
What else do the horses eat?
The horses always have access to clean water and a mineral salt lick. Occasionally they
receive treats of fresh carrots or apples. Treats are limited, only two or three allowed
per horse; horses eating too many treats can die.
The horses will eat other things too. These items are also fed in limited amounts like
treats: corn cobs and stalks, pears, peaches, blackberries, melon rinds, and stale bread.
Questions About The Ranch
Do I need Reservations?
Yes, all ranch activity is done by appointment or reservation.
An appointment assures visitors and riders that we have the time to safely introduce
you to the horses and answer any questions that you might have. It also guarantees
that there will be horses at the ranch for you to ride.
How much notice do you need?
Short notice is OK. But we appreciate as much notice as possible, so that we can plan the
ride and be ready for you.
It takes us about half an hour per horse to brush, saddle, and adjust equipment. Plus
another half hour to prepare the guide horse.
If riding out of a nearby trailhead, we need extra time to hook up the horse trailer,
load it with necessities and horses, and drive to the trailhead.
Can I just come out and meet the horses?
Yes, with an appointment, visitors may come out and meet the horses.
An appointment will assure you that someone is here to greet you and introduce you to
the ranch horses. As we often take the horses to other trailheads for riding, we ask
that you not wander ranch property when we are not home.
Questions On Riding
Why won’t you allow the horse to run?
We want both our horses and our riders to have a safe and enjoyable ride.
Many of the trails we ride are only safe at a walk. There are trees and limbs and hills
and logs that could trip a horse or injure a rider if the horse is traveling faster
than a walk. A walking horse is easier to manage for riders of all ages.
Why do you lean forward when riding up a hill and lean back when riding down a hill?
We lean forward and back with the hills because it helps keep us (the riders) balanced
on the horse. This same leaning helps the horse keep their balance on the hill.
The horse has a center of balance just behind their front legs, right where the
saddle is. Keeping the carrying weight at the center of balance helps the horse
travel safely along the trail.
Notice that when you mount a horse, it will often take a small step towards your weight
to help it stay balanced. And if you lean far off the side of a horse, it will take a
wide step out to counter balance your weight.
Why won’t you allow riders to ride double or two at a time?
A second rider throws off the horses center of balance (see above) and interfers
with the horses ability to travel safely along the trail.
This center is also where the horses back and ribs are the strongest. Excessive weight
outside of this center for more than a few minutes is very uncomfortable for the horse.
Why do you use a hackamore instead of a bit?
A hackamore is a type of bit that controls of the nose rather than the mouth.
Our horses are all easily controlled with the hackamore. The hackamore also allows
the horse to drink (and eat grass) without interference.
Other Stuff
Who clears the trails?
Trails out of the ranch are mostly created and maintained by the ranch owner. Occasionally,
a volunteer or two comes out to help with some of the very labor intensive work.
Trails out of the many various trailheads are maintained by local horse clubs. The ranch
owner helps support these clubs and often helps with their trail maintenance efforts.
The trails do not occur naturally. Volunteers must cut out fallen trees and limbs, as well
as cut and clear brush that grows along many of the lowland trails. This trail maintenance
is very labor intensive and a year round effort. Anyone wishing to help with trail work is
greatly appreciated, feel free to contact us if you wish to volunteer.
