3D Ranch and Training

08/27/2025

Ours have always looked great on 50/50 alfalfa/Timothy. We have recently went to orchard instead of Timothy for to some picky eaters but I anticipate the same result.

𝐀𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐚 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 & 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬

Plenty of horses look and feel great on free-choice alfalfa. Shiny coats, solid weight, plenty of energy, it’s no wonder so many people have gone “alfalfa-only.”

But even the best hay can’t cover every nutritional base. Alfalfa is an amazing foundation, but it’s not a complete feed by itself. Horses, especially those in heavy work, still need support in a few key areas:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹:
- High-quality calories and protein
- Great calcium source
- Supports condition, especially in harder keepers

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀:
* Balanced amino acids → important for topline and muscle repair
* Trace minerals (zinc, copper, selenium) → tied to coat, hooves, and recovery
* Vitamin E → key for muscle health, especially without pasture
* Omega-3s → anti-inflammatory support for joints, lungs, and recovery
* Electrolytes → critical for performance horses that sweat

So yes, your horse may look fantastic on alfalfa alone. But if they start to look dull, lose topline, or just don’t bounce back after work, it may be a sign that hay isn’t filling all the gaps.

Think of alfalfa as the solid foundation of the house. The extras, balancers, aminos, omegas, are the finishing touches that make it strong, sound, and ready for hard work.

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐗 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
xxvets.com ◦ (940) 514-9500

08/27/2025

08/18/2025

Horse people baffle me. I know, hear me out on this particular WHY. They ask and are told by hopefully all the knowledgeable people in their circle, that horsemanship comes first. This can be defined in different ways, but horsemanship, foundation, the basics, whatever you want to label it, it's all the same. The pros spend most their time on horsemanship. Those who want to be their best and are achieving something close to that... are also doing horsemanship day in and day out.

Riding skill is not simply staying on top of the horse. That is an awful gauge for "I know how to ride a horse".

The "pros" aren't out there working patterns every day. They hardly run outside a rodeo/jackpot.

I am not even at "pro" level and my rides only include maybe one ride a week on patterns. And it's even rarer to be at a run.

Yesterday I worked on a balanced whoa. Luci has been hanging on me and while he stops quick, it is not balanced. We worked on it at a walk, jog, trot and lope, but more so at the slower gaits.

Today, I switched up Luci's bit. Still a chain, but no gag. Made all the difference in getting his attention on his ass to whoa and do downward transitions smoothly (It IS ok to switch bits but have a reason why). We worked on transitions and circles and lead changes. Balanced and correct versions of all these, not just going through the motions. Crisp, quick. efficient. Because in a run, you need crisp, quick, efficient. We worked on serpentines and trotting one direction and loping the other. Straight lines. Balanced curves. No patterns unless you are considering serpentine work a pattern.

Don't skip the basics. Get so damn good at the basics that you don't think about it. That you look forward to doing it. Value the basics. Because everyone beating you, they are spending their time... on the basics. Some want to be acing trigonometry without ever learning basic arithmetic - and are baffled when they are lost all the time and never improving.

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08/17/2025

When we schedule lessons I make sure you are the priority in my schedule for that day and time. It seems lately people are canceling on a whimsy. My 24 hour cancellation policy is being put on hold for the time being. All canceled lessons will now be charged before the next lesson is scheduled effective immediately. Thank you for understanding.

08/14/2025

Out of “office” until August 18.

08/04/2025

Not very often do I take riders this young… and Diva Is not your typical “lesson” horse. She will still get jacked riding around barrels. But they sure are cute! 🥰 Killing it at walk/jog and steering. Always a little stressful going from the round pen to the huge arena but they did great.

07/02/2025

And sometimes… you buy a pole bending slot race spot. Because life is short and you just gotta be brave!!!! Until you pay and find out there’s a Calcutta then you cry a little.

05/13/2025

The arena will be closed to haul ins and boarders on the following dates from 6-8 PM:
May 20, June 17, July 15, July 29 .

The arena will also be closed to haul ins and boarders on July 19-20th. Boarders can ride in the evenings after 5 pm.

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05/04/2025

As of now the Brenda and Lynne Mays clinic is full!! Thank you everyone!! I didn’t like setting a hard early deadline to meet the minimum but we barely hit it then almost immediately filled it. It will be a fun, learning weekend!

04/10/2025

Tip of the Day:
The kindest thing you can do for a horse is to educate him well.

04/10/2025

Check your tack! Found rid evening in arena

03/21/2025

Please, if you are planning on attending please get your forms and deposits in! I would like to fill this soon so less stress lol!