Ponderosa Ridge Ranch

“When someone shows you their true colours, believe them.”
-Dolly Parton

Over the years I have said this quote and given advice to many with it. Not knowing this was a famous Dolly quote.

Dolly was an inspiration to many and I even had a pony named after her with the big blonde hair. Dolly will forever be part of our world as she left a big mark on it.

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GRG Lace’s Fallen Star (Cinder)

Cinder is started under saddle now and has been a complete rockstar. Beauty and brains. I’m so happy with how she’s progressing and maturing. I do love mares.. all the brains and confidence.

Photographer: DT Adventure Photography

𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙨.”
-𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙨

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NF Woolly Mammoth’s Legacy

As breeding season ends and the weather starts to change there are subtle shifts at the Ranch.

The foals are starting to be weaned, and with weaning means they are heading to their new homes so the pastures will soon start to seem empty. My empty and your version of empty made differ…

We do accept tours of the ranch and host clinics throughout the year.
We enjoy being busy and meeting people from all over the world.

Legacy also always enjoys the company and having a stallion who I can trust with not only my life and my children’s life is so important. I love this boy, but maybe he could let his mom know she should have her baby soon..

NF Silver Lace is still pregnant.. one day I’ll update you when the foal has finally made its appearance.

🐴PRINCETON ROPING CLINIC🐴

We are headed back to Ponderosa Ridge Ranch in Princeton for our fourth beginner-friendly roping clinic on September 26/27. We have a blast every time we get to visit this beautiful facility!

This clinic is open to participants and horses of all ages and abilities. No previous experience required!

We will work on teaching you from the ground up, starting with how to build your loop and proper swing fundamentals before we get horseback and rope the dummy pulled being a quad.

No horse? No problem! There is a groundwork and auditing option available for you!

If you are interested in signing up, or have questions, send me a message!

“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭.”
-𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬

SD Don’s Desire

Don is back in foal to the great SD Tornado. I have always loved this pairing and I’m keeping everything crossed for a filly.

My program has greatly grown over the last couple years and I feel blessed to have such outstanding lines and pairings for each season.

I have put more hours into their training to ensure every single one of my horses has a purpose and is not just a broodmare. I enjoy taking the foals out to explore the world alongside their moms and think it’s beneficial as part of their foundation.

And yes.. I do think I’m a little crazy to choose this lifestyle and work everyday. Do I need to? No.. but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s talk about caring for foals. 🐴

Foals are tough little creatures… until they aren’t.

Something many people don’t realize is that foals are born with essentially no protective antibodies circulating in their blood. Unlike humans, antibodies don’t cross the mare’s placenta, so those first hours are incredibly important.

Their first protection comes from colostrum — mom’s first milk, which is packed with antibodies. This is why we watch so closely to make sure a newborn gets up, finds the udder and nurses. We can also check IgG afterward to make sure they received adequate antibodies.

As they grow, knowing your foal’s normal becomes one of your best tools.

Are they nursing regularly? Following mom? Playing and curious? What is their normal temperature and breathing rate?

Often the first sign of illness is subtle — they’re a little sleepier, nursing less, lagging behind mom or simply not quite themselves.

That’s when I start watching closely: temperature, respiration, gums, hydration, manure, urine and nursing. Even mom’s udder can tell you something — a suddenly full udder may mean baby isn’t drinking as much.

Foals can change incredibly quickly. I’d rather check them ten times and have everything be fine than overlook that one little sign.

Breeding isn’t just about producing beautiful foals. It’s the sleepless nights, ridiculous-hour alarms, endless checks and doing everything we can to keep these little lives healthy.

It’s everything that comes after they arrive, too. ❤️

Picture: Judge as a 4 month old c**t with my daughter, Quinn

“𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍: 𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔.”
-𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒍

SD Forged in Friendship

Fiona came to me last year and had some metabolic issues. We didn’t know if we could get her bred, but after some advice from our veterinarian and a strict diet and exercise plan, she was looking and feeling better.

Fiona had a healthy c**t this year and he is an absolute tank. PRR Forged in Steel is a black beauty among other things. He is brave, curious and affectionate, much like his parents.

Fiona is bred back to Legacy for the 2027 year and I know it’ll be an outstanding foal just like Steel.

Fiona is worth her weight in gold and now being started and a joy to ride I wouldn’t have it any other way. She is a happy part of my herd.

Also, who doesn’t love a dappled grey unicorn?

Photographer: Tickled Pink Imagery