Wildfires: When Evacuation is Not an Option

Thanks to record summer temperatures and persistent drought, several wildfires have flared in Texas this year, according to information contained on the Texas Forest Service website. Since Sept. 1 the Texas Forest Service has responded to 181 fires. Read More

Senior Horse Care – Keeping Your Senior Horse Healthy and Happy
Senior horse care is a subject near and dear to my heart. My own senior horses, Annapolis and Star, are now 32 and 20 years old respectively–and still going strong.
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Study: Horses Prefer Nonacidic Water

A team of Canadian researchers recently revealed that horses tend to prefer water with neutral pH levels rather than low pH levels, meaning your picky drinker’s problem could be due to acidic water’s sour taste. Read More

Don’t forget to come see us out at the ranch.  We are open Monday thru Thursday and some weekends.  Call us to set up a time to meet your next trail horse.

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

It was suggested that we show off some of the horses that we have for lease at Sierra Ranch, LLC.  We begin this with probably one of the horses we know the least about.

To say we have soft hearts for OTTB (Off the Track Thoroughbreds) is kind of an understatement.    We love what these guys do for their owners and are saddened with the way they are treated after the track.

Imagintor (AKA New Horse or New) filled that bill to the max.  One of our friends found him at her barn.  The owner wanted a walking horse and when she went to pick up the walking horse the owner “threw in Charlie” with her other horse.  Needless to say she was much more wanting the walking horse and paid no attention to “Charlie.”  Our friend knew we loved and worked well with OTTB’s and brought him to live with us in July 2009.

Since we had had a bad experience ( I can show the the never healing scar) with a horse named “Charlie” we decided to name him “New Horse” until we could figure out his name.  This was during the time that we were starting the other business that now pays for the horses.  There just never seemed to be the time to actually try hard to find out who this guy was.

New taught several people how to ride.  Attended several trail rides and did wonderfully.  Even rode in part of an endurance ride with no problems. Finally we got things somewhat under control and spent the day Saturday before Easter researching who this wonderful horse was.  Now understand trying to ID a 20 year old horses tattoo is not fun and New was so not excited about making this an easy process.    After a bit of trail riding tranquilizer and a black light we took a picture of the tattoo and tried to enhance it enough to figure it out. 

After doing several general searches using some of the numbers and his coloring. Then focusing on the numbers we knew.  Then eliminating the mares.  (LOL!)  We came up with a possible name.  Imaginator. And we ordered the winning pictures of his maiden race.

Now am I going to say New is a perfect match for this horse.  Maybe not. But he is a winner with several wins and loads of races under his belt, and New surly acts like all the winners we have in the pasture.  And what a really cool name:  Imaginator.  So much better than being called New Horse.  LOL!

Imaginator is available for leasing.  He likes trail riding and might be open to some other activities.  Come out to Sierra Ranch, LLC and meet all the horses.  You might just find someone interesting to ride.

We are open Monday thru Thursday and some weekends.  Call us to set up a time to meet your next trail horse.

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

Here is cool news from the horse world:

DO HORSES RECOGNIZE THEIR PEOPLE?

Does a horse respond differently to “his person” as opposed to a stranger? The results of a recent French study indicate that horses use auditory and visual information to recognize specific people, and that they expect certain behaviors from those people based on previous experience. Continue reading…

BLM OFFERS TOUR OF OKLA. LONG-TERM HOLDING FACILITIES

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting an all-day public tour of two wild horse long-term holding pastures in Hominy, Okla., about an hour from Tulsa. The tour, which will take place on June 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will give the public an opportunity to observe wild horses roaming in a natural setting across thousands of acres. Continue reading…

THOROUGHBRED ‘PERFORMANCE GENES’ FURTHER EXAMINED IN STUDY

The genetics behind the athletic performance of Thoroughbred racehorses has been a popular area of research in the past few years. A large-scale study was carried out recently in Japan, the results of which corroborate those of previous studies: Identifying specific “performance genes” on equine chromosome 18 could identify the ideal distance for a Thoroughbred to race. Some industry veterinarians, however, suggest that this information should still be evaluated and used with caution. Continue reading…

Hope  you enjoy the news.  We will be posting pictures of the horses available for lease in the next day or so.  Don’t forget to come see us out at the ranch.  We are open Monday thru Thursday and some weekends.  Call us to set up a time to meet your next trail horse.

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

VACCINATION BASICS FOR HORSES

Vaccination used to be simple. You bought a couple of vaccines at the feed store and gave them once a year to your horse. Today there are so many vaccination options that if you still administer vaccines yourself without at least talking to your veterinarian, you might be selling yourself, and your horse, short. Continue reading…

7 Steps to a Safe Spring Ride A poet once wrote of the joys of spring and its effect on horsemen. April, he said, broke the drought of March, bathed the roots of plants in “sweet liquor,” and brought green to every field and hollow. And all these pretty changes awakened in the men and women of Canterbury, England a desire to get on their horses and go on a pilgrimage, to seek a little adventure horseback and break the doldrums of winter. | Read BATTLING BOREDOM: STUDY PROVES FOOD-RELATED ITEMS MOST SUCCESSFUL The old saying goes, “Idle hands are the devil’s tools,” but horse owners know an idle horse’s lips can cause just as much mischief. For many owners it can be a daily challenge to keep curious horses occupied when not being ridden or handled. In her recent study, Grete Helen Meisfjord Jørgensen, PhD, of the Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, observed horses’ reactions to several types of “enrichment items” and determined that food-related items helped battle boredom best. Continue reading…

Don’t forget to come see us out at the ranch.  We are open Monday thru Thursday and some weekends.  Call us to set up a time to meet your next trail horse.

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

I am not doing great at keeping on schedule, but have been working on these things and thinking about posting.  That has to count for something.  LOL!

If you follow me on Twitter or looked at my Facebook pictures of just in general live in the middle part of the US you know we have been hit with lots of snow in the NEOK area.  I know folks up north get more, but that is why I live in OK.  So I don’t have terrible winters.  It snows it melts.  It is not suppose to stay for two weeks and make a horrible mess.

So here is my update:

1. Get Healthy and Fit- That is a tall order.    However, I have made some movement (pun intended) in that area.  Got to visit a knee doc.  Good news is that I can exercise and it won’t cause any more damage. Bad new is that I have arthritic knees and there is nothing that can be done sans knee replacement.  And as the o’ too young looking doctor told me I am too young for that.    So he gave me some anti-inflammatory meds that are taking the pain away and I have begun exercising in the mornings.  So we are headed in the right direction.  YAY!

2. Work Towards One Less Job – This one is actually completed.  YAY!  Day before the Blizzard hubby made the “other business” his full time job.  Course now he is stressing, since we haven’t been to a show in a couple weeks.  Funny how almost 24 inches of snow slows sales.  Things are getting back on track and it is a wonderful thing.  We have lots less stress.

3. Pay Off Debt – Still working on this. 

4. STOP Procrastinating – Our nice little snow storm did some of this for me.  I started getting things in my office organized so that someone can come help us with things like accounting.  Still need to work on this, but it’s an everyday thing.

5. Ride My Horse – With 24 inches of snow and ice it was kinda hard to work on this.  Now we have some mud, but maybe in a week or so…

6. Learn More About Marketing- I have taken some online classes and getting more knowledge.  Now I need to work on this more for the other job.  Have done a few promotions and hubby has been impressed with bringing folks to us.

7. Help Some Folks Along the Way – We have some National Guard guys we ware working with.  They will be deployed very soon, but look forward to their safe return.  Also have a new barn manager that we are working with.

8. Pay Attention to Regular Maintenance- Working on this.  It’s much easier with hubby at home.  Takes some pressure off me and meeting the vet, repair man, or delivery person.

9. Stay Connected – Not doing this well.  Most times to connect are when we are working the “other business”.

10. Cut Out Time Wasters- Still working on this, but made lots of head way.  Now my facebook stream is advertisement for the “other business”, but it’s working.

11. Remember to have FUN- It’s actually FUN having hubby home so much.  He had been working construction out of town for so long, so having him home full time has been an adjustment, but a wonderful one.

Hope you enjoyed the update.  Might even make it earlier this next month as we have that weekend off.  Make it a GREAT day!

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

I haven’t blogged here in a while. We have been really busy with the other “other business” and blogging once a month on that site has been about my limit. However, after reading a couple of posts from some wonderful ladies I feel the need to put some things in writing and see if we can make 2011 even better than 2010. And the challenge was something that I think I could do. Rules are kinda lax, so I might hit them.

I shy away from having too many things written down, but know it’s a good thing. Providing an update blog once a month here will keep me on target and meet some of these goals. I stole a few of these, but what can I say… they are right on target.

1. Get Healthy and Fit – Exercise regularly, quit eating junk and go to regular doctor appointments. I know this will not happen overnight, but even small step in the right direction will lead to accomplishing some of the ones below.

2. Work Towards One Less Job – Focus on making the other “other business” hubby’s full time job.

3. Pay Off Debt – Thankfully the other “other job” is doing a great job of this. And helps us get more prepared for number 2.

4. STOP Procrastinating – This might be the hardest, but so needs to be conquered.

5. Ride My Horse – Very hard to admit, but I haven’t ridden in over a year. Partly a time thing. Partly a fit thing. I miss riding, but need to be a bit more fit to do it.

6. Learn More About Marketing – I love learning and applying all I have learned to both businesses.

7. Help Some Folks Along the Way – More than just charity work. Help others learn from what we are doing.

8. Pay Attention to Regular Maintenance – This is everything from maintaining our fences, vehicles, horses to ourselves.

9. Stay Connected – This is a challenge with our work loads, but something that needs to be done.

10. Cut Out Time Wasters – Sadly some of the online games must go.

11. Remember to have FUN – Anything can be made fun and I need to focus on that.

I have all the tools to make this happen, just need that swift kick every now and then to make it happen. Hopefully this will make 2011 a most wonderful year!

Make it a GREAT day!

Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
http://sierraranchok.com/
http://sierraranchok.net/

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/

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/