Features |
| 
| |
| | Ranch Operations | Mountain Magic Ranch manages a unique operation of its Rocky Mountain Horse herd. We believe that the health, beauty, strength and confidence of the Rocky Mountain horses we raise is of utmost importance. | Every phase of our horse breeding program focuses on maintaining our herd as naturally as is humanly possible. We have no stalls to maintain our horses. Our facility includes 7,500 acres of pastureland and farmed fields, a large complex of sorting pens, several multi-acre paddocks, and a barn used for training purposes. Our program includes healthy maintenance of fresh water and feed, hoof care, worming, and shots for our herd, which numbers about 200 horses. We grow our own hay so that when the horses cannot be maintained on pasture, their nutrients come from native grasses. The majority of horses graze year-round, and only those being treated, protected or trained remain near the barn. This philosophy begins with breeding. Each of our eight breeding stallions is introduced to his individual band of mares in his own pasture and is allowed to freely breed each mare as she is ready. Our bands of mares may number up to 25. We have found that a natural breeding setting encourages a higher percentage of mares successfully conceiving and carrying a foal to term. The mares foal in an open, clean pasture where babies are imprinted to the natural elements and learn to travel on uneven terrain, crossing live streams within their first 24 hours of life. There they live in a herd environment, growing strong and sure-footed until they are weaned in the fall. The weanlings are kept close to the barn in a large paddock until the winter comes to an end. During that time, they are exposed to people and simply fed and protected. When Spring comes, they are turned out into the high country to live with the rest of the herd. In the herd environment, they are exposed to diverse weather conditions. |  |  | | |
They travel rocky, steep terrain while foraging for their feed, learning to move carefully around the badger holes, rattlesnakes and other natural predators. They live in a totally natural environment, drinking from springs and creeks. Living as such, we find that when they are brought in for training between their 2nd and 3rd years, the young horses are strong, confident, well adapted to adverse environments and conditions, and ready to settle in to begin their formal training. Training begins when the youngsters are introduced to the safe, secure horse stocks where they are gently greeted by human touch—and are stroked all over. When they remain calm to the hand, we begin training in the round pen. All training techniques used on our Rocky Mountain Horses help to develop trust, respect, confidence and the formation of a strong bond with people. We find that the confidence they develop living in the wild produces a much simpler training foundation. They have already mastered all the elements, so that when brought in, the only thing they have to learn is how to manage the elements balanced with a rider on board. They are sensitive, quick to learn and eager to comply. When our finished horse leaves this ranch to go to its new home, it has been treated respectfully and confidently by expert handlers. With this in mind, its new owner begins the partnership with the horse with maximum confidence. |
|
