HORSE CARE AT  STANLEY RANCH

The horses at Stanley Ranch receive a great deal of hand care, from the foal imprinting we do before twenty-four hours of age, to the leading, grooming, bathing and free lounging and several hours of hot walker time each week for the young horses up to three years of age. At three, all horses are started under saddle, and their abilities are developed.

We aim to raise each horse to have a sense of themselves, and encourage them through training to develop in the areas in which they show the most talent and desire, so they may rise to their highest level of success.

All horses are ridden a good deal in the wide open desert around the ranch, as well as spending time in the riding arena, and in the free jumping arena.

Broodmares within three months of foaling are not ridden (not because it will hurt them, but because we find they are not willing to concentrate on work for very long). However, they resume work three weeks after foaling. The first few times away from their foal is only for ten minutes. We slowly increase that time to an hour or more. At first we bring the foal up to a stall, but after a time they become acclimated to their dam’s periodic absence. At that point they remain in the pasture with their pasture mates. This also makes the weaning time easier.

All the horses here are paired for their days outdoors in one+ acre lots, which are sand underfoot, and on a slight hillside. With this living arrangement, they get some muscle building activity when they move around their lot. Some horses are brought in at night, some remain outdoors at night. We give all the young horses some outdoor time and some months of stall time, so they will become accustomed to both.

The stallions , *DIAMANTE, *ESPERANTO, EXODUS I and *S S ORION, are exercised and ridden on a regular basis. In addition, these stallions all jump a minimum of 3’6". Statistics say that jumping talent is 50% heritable.

The Arabians at Stanley Ranch are bred to be good producers, which is necessary since we show the horses we breed, and must continue to produce better horses every generation. So far, that plan has been successful, with more than sixty National titles won by Stanley Ranch bred horses. The good news is that we only keep a few for the family to ride and show, and always have good individuals available for purchase.

We consistently have fun with our horses, in and out of the show ring, from grandchildren on up. Dave and I have been active participants all our lives (Dave rode his first show at age 6 - Molly began showing at 13), and we have noticed the trend towards specialty shows within the Arabian breed.

With the recent addition of ‘Sport Arabians in-hand’ to our shows (which is proving a very popular division), we have all we care to do at a show, and as you see from the above, we have had very good success. I think we should highlight here that we all enjoy the grand horses that do everything for us, from riding on the beach or in the mountains where a good-minded horse is much appreciated, to showing all the way to the National level - the horses lead and we follow.

94 Julian lane, Yerington, Nevada 89447

Telephone (702) 463-2262    Fax (702) 463-2232