Meet the horses of Rusty Bar Ranch!
Angel came to us from my best friend. Prior to that she had been ridden and loved by her neighbor who rode her in 4-H all through high school, but moved on to other things after graduation. Angel is trained both hunt seat and Western but has been primarily ridden Western. The first time I rode her in a barrel racing pattern, she completed the pattern in 19 seconds. I also compete with Angel in horse agility. She has medaled twice at Liberty. This picture is of her winning a first place ribbon AND the International Good Horsemanship Award from the European Department of Tourism. Angel is one of my beginner horses because she is kind, patient and forgiving of beginning rider's errors.
Angel
Bianca
Bianca came to us when I looked at her for two potential buyers. Bianca, formerly known as Lady Grey, was living at a foster home for a local rescue and blew me away when I saw the circus of events surrounding her that day. Between a pony racing around the round pen, 2 barking dogs, an angry mare trying to bite her from the other side of the fence, and bucking and squealing minis, Bianca acted as though she and I were the only ones in the round pen and it was a lovely day at the park. When the potential buyers rode her, Bianca impressed me again by stopping when she sensed her rider was off balance. She did not move until they were balanced in the saddle again and ready to move out. I fully expected a fight over her on the way home and when neither person expressed interest, I immediately made application to the rescue to adopt her. Bianca has lived up to what I saw that day, and has not disappointed me one bit.
Cheerios
Cheerios came to us when I began looking for a larger horse to pull a cart on days when we had a large number of Life On A Horse Ranch attendees. His job was to help take the load off of Pearl. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us Cheerios had a bad driving experience, prior to us purchasing him, so we decided not to use him for driving. He is well trained and his previous young owner, who outgrew him, showed him up and down the west coast in hunter/jumper classes. He has been shown Western and has competed in endurance rides as well. Cheerios is a very willing pony, has a cheery disposition, and is great with beginner riders.
Choklit
Choklit became a part of our horse family when I looked at her for a potential buyer. She has an incredible amount of training and is even trained second level dressage. Choklit is also trained Western and we use her for our beginner riders. While she is small in stature, she is stout, and can easily carry most adult riders. She is very patient and forgiving when new riders make mistakes and has proven herself to be quite an asset to our lesson program. Choklit has also become a great "at liberty" agility horse, as you can see from the picture.
Ghost
Ghost was born on our farm and became an orphan foal. He was originally named Midnight but as he got older he began losing his dark coat and he has now turned a beautiful shade of gray while his rump has turned white in true Appaloosa style. Pearl took over the role of aunt and she treats him as if he was her baby. So Ghost has the best of both worlds, being a human and a horse.
Ghost has learned how to shake hands, and loves to be the center of everything!
Ghost has been competing in horse agility since the beginning of 2013. He won the International Good Horsemanship Award in July 2013 and Summer League Country Championship in July 2014. Together, we were the 2014 mid year winner in the Online League of the International Horse Agility Club. Ghost, his handler, and my student, Ella, were the 2014 Think Like A Pony Junior Horse Agility Champions for North America, June 2022 Purina Feed Greatness Horse of the Month, and is currently in first place for America's favorite pet!
Please vote for him here by scanning the QR code.
Ray and I purchased Gypsy from the Chehalis auction to use in our lesson program. She has previous experience as a therapeutic lesson horse and has had to learn that lessons last longer than 20 minutes. Gypsy is trained Western.
I began competing Gypsy in horse agility in March 2013. This has created an even greater trusting bond between us. So far she has won 3 medals performing agility, at liberty, and has won the International Good Horsemanship award 3 times as well.
Gypsy
We were looking for a cart trained horse to add to our Life On a Horse Ranch program, as well driving birthday party participants. A good friend, and neighbor, found Pearl in Oregon right before Christmas 2009, after looking unsuccessfully all over western WA. Video of Pearl showed her being ridden hunt seat by a very small girl, as well as being driven, so she can carry small riders. Pearl fostered Ghost when he lost his mama and taught him how to be a horse.
Pearl
Pecan came to us as a trained Western horse. It didn't take long to realize she had been badly abused and not as well trained as I had been told. With kindness and time she has learned to trust and is now accepting a rider and loving the attention.
Pecan
Sandy became ours when a boarder found themselves unable to keep and care for her. I had helped them find her so I had no problem offering to keep her. I thought Sandy was part Tennessee Walking Horse because she can gait, but I learned there is a line of Appaloosas who can gait when they move out. Riding Sandy, I earned my first belt buckle in competitve trail. Sandy also took first place the first time I competed her in agility. She is very kind, but she knows her mind, so I use her for my more advanced riders.
Sandy