Sierra Ranch News - October 2007

Welcome!

Welcome to the sixth edition of the Sierra Ranch News! We hope you have been enjoying the wonderful weather recently. It has finally gotten nice enough to enjoy riding. We need to actually go riding. Just need some time and seems we keep getting some rain just to keep work going at a too hectic pace.

Sierra Ranch is having things pick up as folks are finally starting to think about going riding. We have had several come ride. Several are considering starting to take lessons, so we expect things to get exciting very shortly. In addition, trail rides are starting to be more frequent. You can see from the list in the calendar section. If you would like to go on a trail ride or take lessons please contact us. Both can be arranged. Read the lesson section below for information on leasing a horse.

The Hooves for a Cure Rides were a great success! We had about 300 rider and made $8000 to go towards raising the awareness of breast cancer research and provide mammograms to ladies who can’t afford them. And we will be doing this again next year. So pencil a Hooves for the Cure ride in on October 4, 2008. Follow our progress on the new Hooves for a Cure website: www.hoovesforacure.com

Tell us what you where you plan on riding this fall. Let us know what information you would like to learn tips on horse keeping, latest horses for sale and any other info you find interesting. As always you can email me and let me know what might interest you to learn about.

Sierra Ranch Logo!

We are still developing a logo for Sierra Ranch. I know you would think that I would just get this done, but things keep getting in the way. If you have any ideas that might make a neat logo, please let us know. When we get the logo finished we will post it on the group site for comments and suggestions.

The HorseMatch.net logo seems to be taking off. Everyone can buy cool HorseMatch.net stuff on CafePress. Check out the link: http://www.cafepress.com/horsematch. Soon we will have calendars and poster on the store. You never know whose picture will be on the calendar. We also made some t-shirt at a local t-shirt shop to sell at the ranch. Look for more stuff to come along the way. We want to get our name out and about on the trails around Oklahoma and other places.

Check this out!

Bob Avila: How to Spot Balance in a Horse

If you’re shopping for a performance prospect (or any horse), up your odds for success by choosing one that’s balanced. What do I mean by that? I mean all his parts and pieces fir together like a jigsaw puzzle, resulting in an overall picture that exudes athleticism. It’s simple: Balance and athleticism go hand-in-hand. Read more of the article by following the link below:

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/avilabalance_100207/

Champion John Henry Euthanatized at 32

John Henry, the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse who was twice Horse of the year, was humanely euthanatized at the Kentucky Horse Park October 8, 2007, at 7PM. The 32-year-old gelding went peacefully to sleep surrounded by a small circle of friends who were closest to him… To read the whole article, click the link below:

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10410

Unwanted Horse group compiling List of Facilities Accepting Horses

The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) is asking facilities that will accept and/or place horses to list themselves on the UHC Web site. Representative for the UHC said they hope the group’s Web site will be utilized as a bridge between people who are seeking alternative for their horses and the many facilities that will accept them. To read the whole article, click the link below:

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10633

Upcoming Rides and Other Events
Many of these came from listing on www.oklahomahorseonline.com. Check it out!

October 26-28 Do Your Own Thing Ride, Indian Mounds Camp, Clayton OK. Do Your Own Thing Ride. Daily camp fee $7/per person over age 12. Elec. hookups avail. for $8/daily per hookup. Stalls $15 per horse daily; corrals $5 per horse daily avail. for rent. Rent horses avail. $20/hr or $75/day. Jess Johnson 918-569-4761, trailleader@earthlink.net www.indianmoundshorsecamp.com

October 27-28 Halloween Ride Sponsored By The Bad Girls Trail Riding Club, Robber's Cave State Park. Reservations for a camping spot are encouraged. Spook walk in the afternoon. Pot luck dinner and then trick or treating for everyone after dinner. For information contact: Deb Stowers deb@sierraranchok.com Phone: 918/341-5799 Cell: 918/607-6094

October 27-28 World’s Greatest Roper, Lazy E Arena, Guthrie, OK,. 20 of the best ropers in the world compete at this invitational event. Noon and 7:30PM Saturday, 1:00PM Sunday. Admission is $17 to $37 with children 10 & under free with a Coca Cola can. Contact Lazy E Arena at 1800-595-RIDE(7433) or visit www.lazye.com

November 3 Green Country Fox Trotting Horse Association Trail Ride & Chili Cook-Off, Walnut Creek State Park, Prue OK. www.oklahomafoxtrotters.com

November 3 Neosha's open horse show, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Norman, OK, Classes for Jumping, English & Western. All shows start at 9am. 918-251-5788 or www.neosha.com

November 3-4 Last Chance @ THE OK Corral Competitive Trail Ride. Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater OK. Point of Contact: Kate Kearby, 405-620-4824, kate12091952@sbcglobal.net. Sanctioned by North American Trail Ride Conf. www.natrc.org

November 10-11 Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association Fall Color Ride (Members only or join at the Ride) Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp, Heavener, OK Guided rides. Saturday night potluck dinner, meat and beverages provided by club. Ride Co-chairs Teri Wyatt tnwalkinghorsegirl@yahoo.com Tracey Brauer tjmaxride@aol.com Or for more information visit www.oklahomahorseonline.com/oetra/home.htm

November 10 Oklahoma Land Rush! 25 / 50 Mile Endurance Ride, Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater, OK. Due to the heavy rains OK experienced this summer and fall, the trails at Bell Cow Lake were heavily damaged. OCER has received emergency sanctioning for the Oklahoma Land Rush! 25 / 50 Mile Endurance Ride on November 10. This is an OCER benefit ride. This will be a FUN ride around Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, OK, with a family-friendly camp. We are celebrating Oklahoma's 100th birthday and hope you can join us. The trails are established and run through woods, around the lake and across grassy meadows. There is some rock and a few hills but the terrain is mostly rolling or flat. Shoes are not required but are recommended. All vet checks are in camp. The road to Lake Carl Blackwell is located about 7 miles west of Stillwater, OK, and about 10 miles east of I-35 on Hwy 51. Camp is about 4 miles north of Hwy 51. Pass the guard shack and start looking on your right for camp. There will be signs. For more information Kathleen Prescott, Ride Manager (405) 288-0303 Home – leave a message (405) 808-3770 Cell Email: k.prescott@valornet.com

November 17 Neosha "The Challenge" Payne County Fairgrounds, Stillwater, OK 918-251-5788 or www.neosha.com

17 TWHAO and the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder’s & Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) Trail Ride, open to all breeds, Last Hurrah Ranch, Warner Oklahoma. Contact is Laurel Stretch at 918-616-3178 or laurelstretch@yahoo.com.

November 23-25 A-OK Bob Barnett Memorial Thanksgiving Circuit Show, Oklahoma Palomino Exhibitors Association, Tulsa Expo Center, Tulsa, OK. http://www.oklahomapea.com/

December 8-10 Wild Horse Trail Camp Last Chance Ride, Honobia, OK. Contact: Sherry Wright 918-755-4570 Electric & water hook-ups available. Cabin rentals also available. Camp sites & cabin rentals available year round.

Riding Lessons
Leasing Versus Owning
By Rick Stowers

Check out Rick’s Riding Lessons at http://www.horsematch.net/Rickstowers.html

Most of the horse people I know only use their horses in the spring and fall, then they are left to fend for themselves in summer and winter. Wouldn't it be better for both human and equine if the horse was leased rather than owned?

Especially if:

• The leased horse comes with a saddle that fits him and his rider.
• The leased horse gets regular farrier work as part of the lease.
• The leased horse gets regular veterinary care and vaccinations as part of the lease.
• The leased horse has access to horse transportation to and from events, trails etc.
• The leased horse can be changed at the request of his rider for another without a penalty.
• This means that as a rider progresses he or she can trade for a more spirited or performance oriented horse at any time.
• And finally, the horse gets care all year long.

Let us know what you think. I know the hoses we first had were not the same caliber as the ones we have now, partially due to the fact that are better riders. That's kind of part of the reason we have so many horses. But, a lesson horse is not quite the same as leasing in that you never know who is on it. The leased horse would have pretty much one ride. This leads to the whole owning without having to make that first big commitment.

Thanks in advance for you input.

We hope you enjoy our philosophy and will come visit Sierra Ranch.
LET'S GO RIDING TODAY!!!!

Horse Spotlight
Grace
http://www.sierraranchok.com/Grace.html

Need a trained show horse for the upcoming show season? Here she is! Grace has been there and done that and is ready to do it again. Grace has competed in local shows. She is a great jumper that has been used for lessons at her previous barns.

I have added more pictures of Grace riding and jumping. I am sorry that the jumping pictures did not come out well. I guess my digital camera isn't quick enough. They kinda look artsy when cleaned up. It didn't help that the light was not the best, but was trying to do it while I had riders. In addition, I didn't have the kids put one helmets. We usually ride in them, just was kind of a quick thing. Let me know if you need more information. And as always you are more than welcome to come ride Grace yourself.

Grace is a 13 year old thoroughbred mare. She is around 17 hands and about 1200 pounds. She is one of our boarders horses and has been used for showing and giving lessons at other barns that she has been boarded at. She is a quiet and smart horse. See pictures on her site at the link above.

Grace is a finished show horse that is trained in hunter/jumper type events. She is suitable for intermediate and experience riders. She has not been ridden by children, but by teenagers and young adults.

Grace is being offered for $15,000 — She won’t be here long at this price.

Grace is a professional at everything that she does. She is easy to load and hauls well. Stands quietly for bathes, grooming, vet and farrier. She is up to date on her shots and gets continuous wormer. We encourage vet checks for each horse.

Comments

Let us know how you liked this issue. And again let us know about what you want to hear about. We want to make this newsletter for our clients, friends, and families. See you out riding!

Thanks,
Deb and Rick Stowers
deb@sierraranchok.com
www.sierraranchok.com

What a last few days!

Well, it's been kinda a whirlwind the last few days. Had so much going on don't know if I am coming or going. Only up to reading Wend. emails, have 168 to read and have way too much stuff to do. Hope to get some of it done in the next few hours. Who am I kidding!

Last Monday we had one of the pasture horses examined as well as Loud Forum. The vet found a mass on the pasture horse. He had been dribbling pee for a couple of months. We had done blood work and urine sample, but not physical exam. This time the new blood work showed an increased white blood count. It just didn't sound good and this vet didn't have a scope small enough to go up there. They suggested we take him to OSU. So Friday, I made arragements with the lady who had lent him to us and she agreed to met us at OSU and take him back. Everything was going fine. UNTIL...

The add coolant light came on. It was not running hot and I was in traffic talking to my boss, so ifigured i would pull into the halfway point and service it. Unfortunately the Chevy had differnt ideas. Just as I got on the turnpike the silly thing blew black smoke, lost power, and stopped. Just as Rick was calling. Yep, I blew up the Chevy. Luckily, Rick drives a Ford one ton and came to save me. Even though we did have to push the Chevy up hill to get it from in front of the trailer. So we get back on the road and are just a few minutes after 5PM at getting to OSU.
So we discuss on the way home what to do. The chevy has never been something that just anyone can drive. We have either blown the head gascket or something worse as it would not start. My car is almost paid off and we had discussed getting a SUV so I could get hay or feed on the way home from work without destroying my car, but it gets such good mileage. So we decided to look at truck on the internet.

And what do I find... The cutest truck inthe world. OK, so I am wierd and think that one ton dually deisel Dodges are cute. But it is really spiffy. Leather. Really sweet looking. Just to die for. So I do some checking and ther is jsut not much out there. It is at a great price. We have credit. And if I by pass it will I ever have another. Needless to say I couldn't sleep Friday night. I finally got up at 3AM and finished the research with carfaxes and all. It is a sweet deal. We showed up at the dealer at 9AM Sat. We check out the other dealer we like and I finally end up with the sweet pickup in the photo above. Yeah, I am spoiled, loved, and very lucky!

But there is more! As we have all predicted the kids (16yo that married an 18yo and then got pregnant) finally figured out that they could not afford to have their own place. With tails between their legs came to us and asked to live with us. We said yes with conditions. You pay off rent in helping with the horses. You will have a contract so that things are well spelled out and your pit bull can NOT live with us. She whined and Rick finally said OK to the pit bull. I spent the rest of Sat. rearranging the back bedroom to allow the kids to move in. Make the bunks into a king and do mucho general cleaning and tossing that goes with removing all little kid stuff from the room so that these two can move in. She shows up with her dog, tosses my dog out of his yard and put hers in. Starts bossing around her sister and is being a general pain in the ass. Now, it is 9pm ish. I have been up since 3 and am not in the best mod when I am tired. She throws a wall eyed fit and had her hubby find another place for them to live. I am not real sure why we talk to this child. She says her older sister is the drama queen. OH, PLEASE!! She can not even move in with out massive drama. For some reason she thought she could move in and rule. I just don't get it. But at least our world is almost back to normal. I ahve too much to do to put it all back today, but will work on it.

Back to the horses. We were really worried about Loud Forum last week. We have the vet look at him. He needs to take him into the clinic and xray. He has not foundered, but has bruised his toes. He should be fine. Needs meds, polises (like you really think I can speel that) and hand walking for a few days. Silly horse will not get it in his head that he is retired. He just plays too hard. Oh well, it could be much worse.

And work is getting more hectic. I have denitst and doctor's appointments this week and will b off on Friday to go to a ride so it will be even worse. Considering talking off a week in a few, but not sure if I can. I know I should and I need the down time, but dang it. Just don't want the massive catch up that will need to be done. It's a never ending story.

Well best get back to my working. Hope you all had a much less stressful weekend! If you see me and I am getting greyer then you know what is happening. Have a great week!

Leasing versus Owning

We are looking for some comments and suggestions.

Most of the horse people I know only use their horses in the spring and fall, then they are left to fend for themselves in summer and winter. Wouldn't it be better for both human and equine if the horse was leased rather than owned?

Especially if:

• The leased horse comes with a saddle that fits him and his rider.
• The leased horse gets regular farrier work as part of the lease.
• The leased horse gets regular veterinary care and vaccinations as part of the lease.
• The leased horse has access to horse transportation to and from events, trails etc.
• The leased horse can be changed at the request of his rider for another without a penalty.
• This means that as a rider progresses he or she can trade for a more spirited or performance oriented horse at any time.
• And finally, the horse gets care all year long.

Let us know what you think. I know the hoses we first had were not the same caliber as the ones we have now, partially due to the fact that we are better riders. That's kinda part of the reason we have so many horses. But, a lesson horse is not quite the same as leasing in that you never know who is on it. The leased horse would have pretty much one ride. Kinda leads to the whole owning without having to make that first big commitment.

Thanks in advance for you input.

Are you leading for the right reasons?

The man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his
back on the crowd.- James Crook

Everyone wants praise and attention for a job well done. But for every Kobe Bryant making news for a game-winning shot, there are a million Average Joes doing great things but receiving no credit. If you're upset by the lack of attention you're getting for your leadership, perhaps its time to reevaluate why you are a leader in the first place. True leaders lead to help their team, community, or office--not for fame and attention. Sure, receiving recognition feels good, but remember that you are there to lead the group in front of you, not the ones watching behind you. Spectators will soon forget about you, but those you led will remember what you've done even after you are gone.

This is another Healthy Reflections from SparkPeople.com. It hits kinda home like so many of these do. And a fitting relfection on Boss's Day. My folks at the office did a great job of making me feel appreciated. It was pretty nice.

On one of my groups about weight loss I mentioned that stress seems to be making or keeping me from progressing on my weight loss journey. Someone suggested quitting doing something to make more times. Geeze, then the option would be what to quit. Can't quit the real job. It pays the bills. Can't quit the ranch, it needs to pay the bills. Well, at least it needs my attention to try to get the horse bills paid at least. And the other two jobs I have I really don't want to quit because they have made me so much better at the first two jobs. I have gained mucho leadership skill or at the very least honed my leadership skills by working with the BGTRC. And I have found a love and somewhat of a talent in graphic arts working with them and the Hooves for a Cure project. Now you see my delimia. Just have too much stuff I want to do and not near enough time. At one time I did, but (as I am sure you all are tired of hearing) it just frigging won't quit raining. Not that I am worried about that at the ranch. We needed the grass. Just should not frigging do it in Tulsa. I need to get caught up.

Well, since one of the most important things is to get enough sleep, I am out of here. Hope your week is going great! Already looking forward to the weekend and it's just Tuesday.

Hoove for a Cure Website is updated!

Well, we finally did it. And have most of it updated. Well, kinda. We have our very own website. Whhooo! Whhooo! So come check out stuff on the new hoovesforacure.com site and let us know what you think.

Soon we will have pictures on the web of all the rides. We are soo happy and really excited to start working on the ride locations for 2008! So check it out and let us know what you think.

Web Site: http://www.hoovesforacure.com/

Group Site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HoovesforaCure

Blog: http://360.yahoo.com/hoovesforacure

Purchases of merchandise with the logo will be donated as well: http://cafepress.com/hoovesforacure

We have the “I rode” logo on some t-shirts on CafePress. We will have the 2008 logo on stuff soon as well as some things without logos. In addition, we are thinking about a 2008 calendar with pictures of the 2007 ride. Pictures from the rides are posted on the Hooves Yahoo Group site.

Thanks to everyone who came to a ride and everyone who donated!