| Horses at Red Willow Ranch, BC | |
| The horses:
Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, Canadian Saddle horses and Standardbreds
are kept outside all year round-summer and in winter-even at -40
temperatures. During summer we drive them in the morning from the
pasture to the paddock, where they wait to be saddled and ridden. In the
evening they return to the pasture, where they rest and enjoy their
grass. Maintaining horses outside without the confinement of four walls is the most natural and healthy way of keeping horses. The horses either free graze on grass or hay in the winter. Sometimes if they are asked to work especially hard during the summer we will feed a little hay and grain - mares and foals receive grain year round. Since the horses are always out and experiencing their surroundings they are more relaxed and well mannered on trails than if they were confined to stalls. Often our guests comment on our horses natural behavior and demeanor. Consequently
an inexperienced rider may enjoy western riding on a gentle and
trail savvy horse.
|
|
