Posted by admin on June 25, 2010
From the “and ya’ll think TB’s are silly” file…
HORSE THAT OVERCAME ADVERSITY ATTEMPTS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
Lukas, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who stands 16.2 hands, may well be the smartest horse in the country–maybe the world, and owner-trainer Karen Murdock is trying to get him into the Guinness World Records for “Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute.” On June 16, Lukas was able to identify a correct number at least 18 times. Continue reading…
STUDY EXPLORES HOW HORSES VIEW THE WORLD
On the trail, in the dressage arena, at the racetrack, on the cross-country train–wherever horses may be, we’ve all seen it: the “Spook”–that sudden, bolting reaction of shock so particular to our equine friends. It might be because some animal runs up, or some object is blown in by the wind, taking the horse by surprise. But sometimes it’s just something you’re sure they’ve seen many times before–so why spook about it now? New research at the Aptos, California-based Equine Research Foundation now has answers to that question. Continue reading…
GULF OIL SPILL CALLED NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO HORSES
The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico poses no immediate threat to horses residing in Gulf states, according to one Louisiana official. The massive oil leak began last month when a deep water British Petroleum water oil rig off the Louisiana coast exploded pumping millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The spill threatens coastlines in that state as well as in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Continue reading…
Hope you enjoyed this bit of news. Have a wonderful weekend!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/
Posted by admin on June 6, 2010
You just have to know where to look! We have had a lot going on at Sierra Ranch as of late. But first a bit of an explanation.
I know I have not been posting much recently. That is kinda a two part problem. First and for most we have been working really hard at growing Rijas Services. Going to gun shows most weekend and spending other free time doing the necessary paperwork while still holding full time jobs has been challenging.
Second has been my health. Nothing bad, just learned a month ago that my thyroid was not producing enough hormone. When that happens I don’t have the energy to do much of anything. I had been basically slowing down since about January. I went in for a check up and suggested a blood test, because just too many things were out of whack. Luckily, I was right and the meds are working wonderfully. I have even had the energy to mow parts of the yard with the push mower. Something a month ago I would never have dreamed of doing.
As I was saying we have had a lot of visiters at the Ranch recently. Dalia has brought several of her friends and family out to the Ranch. Dalia graduted from Rhema Bible College May 21 and will be shortly going to Kenya on a mission trip. Dalia rides several of our horses with Reddie Whip being her favorite. Lately, she has been riding Charming Starr to keep her in shape for Michelle, one of our boarders.
Dalia brought Vince and several friends out to see the horses. To get riding privileges they have been working on the place helping us with some mowing and cleaning up around the pasture. If you go to our Facebook page you will see more pictures and even videos of the events of the last few days. Dalia is great at taking pictures and I have learned how to get them from her.
Then we had a teenager find us on the web and come out to ride horses. There were first three teenagers, and we put them on the safest horses. As you can see Melanie looks very thrilled. Maverick is always patient and Sarge is just Sarge!
Soon they were all switching around trying to determine which was the best horse. Allison decided that she liked Sarge the best and her friend Crystal rode Maverick the next time they came out to the Ranch. And from the pasture was heard well, of course your are going faster… I am on the older horse! Crystal had to be corrected that Maverick is only 20 and Sarge is at least 10 years older. They were shocked!
So, Saturday rolls around and everyone wants to go trail riding. Dalia brings Vince and Kayla. Allison arrives at the Ranch. And one of our gun customers says he wants to go also. We have a five horse trailer, but needed six. The first ride out Saturday was with Dan, and then we switched riders later so Kayla could ride.
Dan is a 62 year old Vietnam vet. He had not been on a horse since 1965. Yes, I typed that right. 1965. He got on Maverick and rode the trails at Oologah like a pro. Maverick was wonderful with him. Dan was back at the house this morning having a gun repair and was not worse for the wear. What a trooper!
The first picture is Vince, Allison, and Kayla on the trail. The second is Vince, Kayla, Allison and Rick on the trail. All had a blast! Allison even came out again today (Sunday) to play with Sarge. I think he has found him a girl for at least a little while. Until she gets riding better and wants a more powerful horse.
Hope you have enjoyed a bit of the happenings from the Ranch. I hope to keep posting news articles and other happenings of the area. We will not be home on a weekend again until July 4th, however lessons are available during the week. Just let us know when you want to ride!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/
Posted by admin on March 17, 2010
Saddle up and make plans to attend the sixth annual “Ride to Save Babies” Trail Ride. For a minimum pre-registry donation of $20, riders can ride the trails then come back for some great food. All to help save babies and benefit the March of Dimes. Check out their website here!
On Saturday, April 17th, 2010, at Lake Carl Blackwell, horse lovers can enjoy a one-day outing, along with prizes and great food! All money is given to help the lifesaving programs of the March of Dimes. Individual prizes will be given for the adult and youth that raises the most money, along with all participants being registered for prize drawings. Registration is $20 and will include the entry fee, food, and a t-shirt. Late registration begins at 10am- 12noon, the ride will begin at 1pm from the equestrian campgrounds of Lake Carl Blackwell, located just 8 miles west of Stillwater on Highway 51. Riders will return for food, drinks and entertainment around 6pm at the campgrounds.
The “Ride to Save Babies” is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, an organization which helps to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality. You can help to save babies from these threats to their health just by saddling up and joining this benefit ride.
For more information, registration, or any questions, contact Mendi Cronister by email rockin_mr@hotmail.com or call 580-370-8890 or 580-336-4945. Or visit their webiste here!
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For more maternal and infant health information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish web site at www.nacersano.org or call 1-888-MODIMES.
We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s ride!
Rick took several people with him on this ride last year. We are planning on attending again this year! If you would like to ride with us and need a horse or transportation, please contact us!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/
Posted by admin on
Some friends of mine have started a new site, Girly Gazatte. The site is about how women need to have positive relationships with other women, mostly. They have lots of cool articles about motherhood, fashion and many other things that make you think.
In their kick off week they posted an article about who is in your tribe. You can read it here.
I had left a comment about who I thought was in my tribe. I have a group of ladies that I have devoted a great deal of my time to in the past and I thought they would always be there for me. However, last weekend I had something happen that makes me question that.
I realize that relationships take some nurturing and work. However, I guess I may have not nurtured that relationship as much as I should have in the last year. Our family inherited a business and as any of you know that own a business the first year is often the most trying. So I have not been around for my friends as much as I used to be. Now understand that I had spent 7 years as the leader and resigned a couple of years ago to help raise my step kids. Our family was still quite involved with the group.
Our family helped with a couple of functions a year providing entertainment. Last year they came to me and said they would like to try something different at one function, and I understood. It was business and they needed to be able to pull a crowd. My hubby didn’t understand and took it kinda personal. I discussed this with the group. I chalked this up to male egoism.
Then last week we offered to provide entertainment for the function we did last year and possibly the other one. I sent an email explaining the issue that that we would be giving up a gig at the new business to do these functions. I got no response. Then later in the week got a group email stating that someone else was hired.
I felt confused. On one hand I understand it’s business. On the other hand just one email would have made me feel that they understood and show me the path they wanted to take. I don’t expect to get every gig. I don’t expect much. An email letting me know they received mine and wanted to do something different would have been the nice thing.
Needless to say this really makes me question who is in my tribe? Who has my back? Who will be there when I need something or someone? How much does a tribe need to be nurtured? Do tribes change as you move to different places in your life? Do you need a sub-tribe for work friends, mom friends, fun friends, etc.?
I have never been one to have tons of friends, kinda is part of being a nerdy engineering kinda gal. Most of my tribe growing up and through school were guys. So dealing with a group of ladies has always been interesting, but kinda thought I had made headway. Gives me some new perspective.
So how do you nurture your tribe?
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/
Posted by admin on January 24, 2010
If you live on a ranch you know that things can get a bit on the weird side sometimes. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook then you know since before Christmas (maybe even Thanksgiving) I have been tormented by a possum. Well now I get to torment it, well them.
Rick laughed because I took pictures, but you need to know the situation, because I need help getting these danged things out!
Now there has been a hole in the heater room since we moved in April 2003. For several years there was a cabinet sitting there blocking the hole. I moved stuff around a couple of years ago and didn’t realize that the hole went in to the heater room. Here is a view of the heater room.
The door to this room always has stuff in front of it since the washer and dryer are just outside of it. We don’t store lots of things in it and I tossed some of them this morning. There was storm windows for the house, drying rack, some tables (that are ruined) and two windows to some truck that have been there since we moved in. Yeah, we are great at collecting things and not so great at tossing. LOL!
The picture above is after cleaning and spraying bleach in the area. We got to smell the bleach through out the house, but that is much better than the poo smell we had been getting a whiff of every now and then. ACK!
Last night Rick heard things moving in the garage. He had not believed me that the critters were in there, until he saw the one last night. We started looking and there were actually two possums. What fun. NOT!
We tried to get them out last night, but they got between the wall and the heater and us nor Bubba could get them to leave. So we left the door open thinking, OK they will leave since they have been found. NOT!
Silly critters did not to appear to be in there this morning. I got the old horse beet pulp soaking and started cleaning out the closet. I finally found something to put between the wall and the chest. I started moving said things above, when stuff moves. Yeah, fun. NOT! I keep pulling things out and get down to the big glass from some truck. The critters are sleeping on a towel back behind the smoked glass. Still not sure how the towel and other nesting stuff got in the room.
The possum were not so happy that I found them. I tried to shoo them out the door. Not thinking about the fact that the escape route that they were used to was the hole I blocked up so freaking well. (Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be smart!) So the smaller one moves and I am thinking “Just please don’t run up my pant leg!” and the silly thing runs into the wall and is clawing in the wall trying to get out. Dang!
The bigger one just sits there. I don’t have any thing that I could loop him with and he is not scooping well with the shovel. So I figure I will leave them alone, go feed the old horses, wait for Rick to get up, and regroup.
I go out to start laundry and finish this thinking the danged things have left. Rick sees the silly critters up in the wall. So we place the auto glass between the heater and the wall. It’s pretty heavy and I don’t think they will move it. We blocked it up against the hole on the inside wall as best we could. I tried to get it tight and broke one pane. Oh well, not like we were ever going to use them. And with the coating it should not totally shatter. We will see.
I sprayed the area down really well with bleach hoping to run them out into the garage, but I think it just made them mad. I heard lots of hissing. LOL!
Later I looked the silly critters are still holed up on the wall, but I don’t think they can get back into the room. I know these guys have been eating the cat food and I think they are moving onto the dog food. So, I may have to get the food source to go away for them to actually leave. I am hoping they don’t have babies, and probably don’t yet, but they so need to leave.
And yes we have the fire power to kill them. And we have numerous ways to kill them, but I can’t do it. Even Rick was touched by their cute faces last night. Between that and running the risk of hitting the heater or TV (if it went through the wall). He is considering using the cross bow. Might sic the girl that feeds on the target. She likes killing small woodland critters, so maybe she could get them out. It’s worth a try.
If anyone has any tips on getting the silly things out of our wall I would be willing to listen. Hate the waiting game, but right now that’s the only way to do it. Hope you have enjoyed life on the ranch. Yes, some days are good ones and you get to ride a race horse. Other days you get to chase possum out of the cat food. All pays the same.
Posted by admin on January 12, 2010
These are from the Tulsa World.
This first one is about how a network to fix up hurt rodeo folks has been set up. And it’s based in OK. Is that not cool?
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Rodeo RX By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer Stan Williamson of Okmulgee, a two-time world rodeo champion, has been hurt plenty in his steer-wrestling career |
This one is about Remington Park changing owners for our race horse fans.
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Chickasaws begin changes at park By RANDY ELLIS The Oklahoman At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary took over ownership of Oklahoma City’s Remington Park racetrack and casino, ushering in a new era of local control. |
Hope you enjoy. Make it a great day!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by admin on January 11, 2010
I know many of us have already been through the worst, or hopefully the worst, part of winter, but these are good tips to keep in mind. remember you can ride in the winter, it just takes a bit of preparation!
COLD WEATHER HORSE CARE REVIEW Winter has an icy grip on most of the United States, and with even sunny Florida facing record freezing temperatures, horse owners across the country need to keep a close eye on their herds to prevent cold-weather related ailments. In cold weather, horse owners should be thinking “water, water, water,” said Jean T. Griffiths, extension horse specialist at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Continue reading…
WINTER WORKOUTS Come May, Trisha Dowling of Saskatchewan, Canada, is ready to take on the challenges of competitive endurance–and, equally important, so are her horses. The same can be said of Carey Williams of New Jersey. Her sport is eventing, in which she competes spring through fall. Andy Kaneps of Massachusetts used to raise and compete hunters and jumpers; today he prefers riding noncompetitive dressage year-round. Continue reading…
WINTER HORSE CARE RESOURCES What to do when the weather turns bitter? Bring the horses in or leave them out? Blankets or no blankets? Hay or grain? Or both? While bringing your horse into the house might seem like the simplest option, TheHorse.com offers a wealth of information on winter horse care to help you handle the dropping temps. Continue reading for the highlights.
You may have to create an account with The Horse to read these articles, however the account is free.
We apologize for the interruption of our newsletter. We have been working on getting another business online and hope to be posting more regularlly now we have it going. Thanks for your understanding.
Until we meet on the trails!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by admin on December 12, 2009
My friend Patricia Reszetylo just released the internet’s most massive equine/equestrian digital gift giveaway ever:
http://FreeHorseGifts.sierraranchok.net
Simply sign up and get the scoop.
-tons of ebooks
-audios
-memberships
-tons of everything you’ve ever wanted
Where did all these goodies come from?
I teamed up with Patricia Reszetylo who has called in some favors from a whole bunch of top online equine/equestrian marketers and convinced them all to give you TONS of Products at no cost to you.
It is our way of saying “thank you”!
These products are worth thousands and thousands of dollars and have already made their users and their horses happier and healthier.
I just can’t hide the excitement. This is probably the most exciting news I’ve ever shared with you.
Go get it now!
http://FreeHorseGifts.sierraranchok.net
Warmly,
Deborah Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
www.sierraranchok.com
www.sierraranchok.net
www.horsematch.net
Posted by admin on September 3, 2009
These are things people both new to horses and those that have had them for a while need to remember.
1. My life is likely to last 20 or more years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you take me home.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long. Don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I am powerful enough to hurt you, but choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I have a problem that you are not yet aware of.
9. Take care of me when I am old. You too will be old one day.
10. Go with me on the last journey. Never say “I can’t bear to watch or let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there.
Remember that I love you. Here is something to pamper your horse with:
$10 off orders of $100 or more at Horse.com (some restrictions apply) 
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by admin on September 2, 2009
It’s getting cooler outside and folks begin to want to go riding and cmaping more. And after a great ride in the woods what is better than great food. Check this out: 
It’s a fact that food just tastes better outdoors. Now with 101 Camping & Outdoor Recipes, even campers who have never cooked anything more complicated than S’mores can make great meals and snacks over the campfire. You no longer need to sacrifice eating well just because you are not in your home kitchen. 101 Camping & Outdoor Recipes provides you with 101 delicious, and easy-to-prepare recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are sure to make you a hit around the campfire.
And itf you do want to go riding and don’t have a horse. Contact us here at Sierra Ranch. We love to ride and have many horses that would love to take you out riding and camping.
Just one of the many things we do at Sierra Ranch.
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
