Stramel Ranch

The older I get, the more I realize success isn't measured by what you build. It's measured by who you help.

Seven years ago, this ranch existed only on paper.

In 2019, I started sketching ideas, moving dirt, writing checks, making loads of mistakes, solving problems, and building one piece at a time.

Somehow, it's 2026.

I'm thankful for the incredible clients who trust me with the horses they love.

At the end of the day, I hope my story is about helping as many horses and people as possible—having the 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 what has been normalized, questioning practices that come at the horse's expense, and sharing knowledge that helps both horse and their owners.

If I can leave the horse better than I found it, and the owner more informed than when they arrived, that's a life well spent.

I've decided that 25 years of education, experience, and searching for answers won't be wasted. If what I've learned can help even one horse or one owner make a better decision, then it's worth sharing.
Most importantly, If that offends you, I'd encourage you to ask yourself why.

Twenty-five years ago, I moved across the country and entered an industry because I loved horses. I thought I was joining an industry that loved horses as much as I did.

Instead, what I found and what I’ve learned, is that many people, maybe even most, in the performance horse industry, don’t actually love horses. They love what horses can do, what they can win, and what they can earn. And, that is a big difference.

Because, if you truly love something, you don’t destroy it.

After 25 years in veterinary medicine, 20 years as a physical therapist, nearly 20 years in performance horse barns, years studying movement, performance, injury, rehabilitation, and even pushing my own body to it’s full limitations, I learned some things.

The same injuries.
The same breakdowns.
The same excuses.

A decade passed.
Then another.

And still, the same thing over and over. Yet, no one says much about it....it seems.

I thought I was smart and apparently not, because .....

It took me decades to finally understand what was really behind the curtain.

The problem isn’t bad luck.
The problem isn’t genetics.
The problem isn’t that horses are fragile.

The problem is that we’ve normalized something that isn’t “normal.”

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

I’m so thankful for my own ranch.

Look at this amazing crew. I’m missing a super cute, rogue, 2 year old buckskin....he didn’t make it out from the barn in time for pictures. 🥰

Education changes industries.

Maybe it’s time to swing the pendulum back toward the horse.

More on this later.

Because at the end of the day, I really love the horses.

I appreciate having a place where horses can simply be horses.

Teaching a horse or pony to lay down safely and correctly can have legitimate practical value especially when done with proper horsemanship.

Teaching a pony to lay down safely builds confidence, emotional control and softness.

Huge thank you to our friend, horse trainer and Zoe’s horse training coach, for investing so much time, knowledge, and patience into helping her learn how to train ponies the right way.

The horsemanship lessons matter just as much as the riding.

I get asked, several times throughout the year, if Zoe has any ponies for sale.

She is in the process of starting (3) 2-yr olds.

She will have some nice ponies for sale!

Everyone wants the view.
Nobody wants the years it took to earn it.

"Rio" - 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 for 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝!

𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧, is a finalist for 2025 Welsh of the Year, and I am so proud of Zoe and this pony.

Now, he needs your help!

If you’re a WPCSA member, we would love your vote. If you’re not a member and your child wants to support Zoe, an annual junior membership is only $35 and lets you vote.

Every single vote matters!

Thank you for cheering her on and supporting her!

We love Rio - he's an amazing pony!

Voting link in the comments - Thanks!