Sundog Ranch, LLC

25/06/2024

After dinner confab. They are most likely commiserating over the lack of napkins in the joint. 😉🐴

24/06/2024

Moosie’s post-MagnaWave snack, bright and early this morning. 💕

22/06/2024

I wonder if it’s gonna rain? 🤔🌧️

22/06/2024

We're all good at the ranch, but there are always hard days when you love animals. ❤️

17/06/2024

As the summer's first heat wave descends upon us, I wanted to share a few things we do to keep our cool at the ranch. This morning, I emptied and filled all of the water buckets so that the horses would start the day with fresh, cold water. (I will pop out at least once this afternoon to replenish - having access to fresh water is critical!) Everybody has been fly sprayed and has plenty to eat. They also have shade, of course, and it looks like we'll have some cloud cover and a nice breeze, as well. Additionally, horses have a large surface area, which works to keep them cool as the sweat evaporates from their bodies. The chickens will find comfort under the trees, and the dog, cats, and I will hunker down in the house (shout out to my husband for installing the A/C yesterday!) Stay frosty, Sundoggers! 🥰

07/06/2024

I guess waiting out the rain in the barn isn’t a bad thing…❤️🐴🌧️

04/06/2024

Note to self: check the calories BEFORE you inhale five packets of cheese. Not gonna lie - totally worth it! 🧀

30/05/2024

Cats fit in the window sill… 😻

28/05/2024

Rainy days and Mondays. 🌧️

19/05/2024

Freeloaders freeloading. ❤️

14/05/2024

This is a bandwagon I’ve been waiting to jump on for years! A random find as we were repairing fences this morning. I shall definitely hunt further! 🍄‍🟫

10/05/2024

The lawn mowers are hard at work!

03/05/2024

Why, yes! Yes, I AM a fancy champion former racehorse! Thanks so much for asking. Mom thinks I should learn dressage. I think mom should feed me treats for being so handsome. ❤️

29/04/2024

It will be here before you know it! Get her a gift she can use every day. 🥰

Introducing our vibrant ceramic mug, tailor-made for the spirited horse moms out there, just in time for Mother's Day! Crafted with love and a sprinkle of equestrian charm, this mug is more than just your average cup – it's a daily dose of joy for those who have a special place in their hearts for...

29/04/2024

What canary? 😸

27/04/2024

You get that side, I’ll get this side.

26/04/2024

Hey, Sundoggers! We're thrilled to announce the grand re-opening of Sundog Style, an eclectic online gift shop dedicated to horse lovers like you!

At Sundog Style, we're all about celebrating our deep love for horses while spreading joy and making a difference. That's why we're on a mission to offer you the most delightful selection of equestrian-themed gifts!

But here's the best part – when you shop with us, you're not just treating yourself or finding the perfect gift for your fellow horse enthusiasts. You're also making a meaningful contribution to the care and well-being of our beloved Sundog Ranch horses. 💖

Every purchase from Sundog Style goes directly towards supporting the incredible work we do here at the ranch, ensuring that our beloved equine friends receive the love, care, and attention they deserve. From providing them with nutritious meals to offering veterinary care and creating enriching environments, your support makes it all possible.

Join us in spreading love, joy, and compassion – one fabulous gift at a time! Trot on over to Sundog Style today! Don't forget to spread the word and share the love with your fellow horse lovers.

https://sundog-style.myshopify.com/

25/04/2024

Goals...not just for horses!

Infographic Monday!

Did you know that many aspects of learning and leadership can be tied directly to goal-setting and outcome expectations?

Developing an understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish and the steps it will take to do so is critical for achievement.

Whether your goal is to post the trot for two laps of the arena or to compete at the NRHA futurity, setting goals and defining steps to achieve them can help you get there!

When setting goals, be SMART:

Specific - who, what, when, where, and why do you want to achieve this?

Measurable - how will you know that you’re making progress towards this goal?

Attainable - can you realistically achieve this in the parameters you set? How?

Relevant - Does this goal fit in with other life goals of yours? Is it a good time and place to pursue this goal?

Time-bound - Setting a deadline can encourage you to stay on track and help you time the steps towards accomplishing your goal.

What goals are you working towards with your horse this year?

25/04/2024

"Horse Sense" Youth Equine Farm Safety Course Now Available Jan 29, 2020 | Horse Safety, Horses   Equine Farm Safety Training: Improving Safety For Youth Working on Horse Farms. Expand your knowledge of horse safety practices by taking this free online course! Have you ever worked on a horse farm o...

23/04/2024

My friend Haylee with some excellent advice. Luckily, our property is not on a main road and is surrounded by forest, so we don't have to deal with this.

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/good-intentions-deadly-consequences-woman-urges-people-to-avoid-feeding-horses?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR14_ZVpddcwbSDCzD1qF_B1Ld7kmjUwcfBDlNAcxhgSEsrYbggWEoNz3Yk_aem_AfNevHA77u2l4HPtDAz00ev439Px2AhRl81Hx8mUFacmYGFEQDKqL-xkoRK7abDO4kV-ZYnJaC19KrIqgnpcnBwJ

Good intentions, but potentially deadly consequences: that's the warning from a Leelanau County woman in regard to dozens of horses she is responsible for, afte

22/04/2024

Tavi says, “Let the hand grazing begin!” We will open up the pastures at the end of May, but in the meantime, we’ll work on getting everybody out on grass for a little bit so they can hit the ground running! And I mean that literally!! 😉

21/04/2024

Best quote ever: "I don’t think there is a single horse in the world who is standing in the field wishing and hoping that the human is going to get on and work on flying changes. "

The red mare and I had got into a lovely riding routine, as the rain finally stopped and the sun came out and something like spring felt as if it were in the air. (There is still a very cold wind, coming in from the north. But it really is spring. There is blossom on the trees and everything.) We were doing little wanders through the oak grove and generally enjoying each other’s company vastly. I wanted to get back into the habit of moving, after the long, static winter.


Then a weird tiredness thing set in. It’s not as if I am ill ill, but it’s like someone has thrown a blanket over me. There is no power in my body. Riding is out of the question. I potter down to see the mares and scratch their sweet spots and then potter back and lie down.


The red mare does not care at all. It always makes me laugh a little when people get so concerned about other people not riding their horses. (I do get asked the riding question. Especially with Tern. ‘One day,’ I say. ‘When she’s ready.’ There is no need for any more explanation than that.) I don’t think there is a single horse in the world who is standing in the field wishing and hoping that the human is going to get on and work on flying changes.

The red mare does kindly consent to riding and she seems to take mild enjoyment in our old lady rambles, but it’s not her top thing. Her top thing, obviously, is doing peak Place of Peace. What she really adores is: absolutely nothing. She likes standing and dreaming. She is a big fan of rolling. When she rolls, she is all in. There is a great deal of special grunting and she takes twice as long as the other horses and she luxuriates in every movement.


She likes it very much if I hang out with her and stroke and scratch and rub her in the right places. She quite enjoys the murmuring of nonsense. She flutters her eyes and twitches her ears. She’s always liked the soothing timbre of the human voice.


If I could install a couple of babies in the field that would complete the happiness, because she really, really does love very tiny children and all our posse and the extended family are quite grown-up now, so we have to keep an eye out for infants on our walks and rides and I always ask if she can say hello. (Some of the parents are delighted, and some are horrified, but I have to ask. The red mare must have her joy, if I can get it for her.)


In other words, when I’m off games, she is happy as a nut. I miss the power in my body and I wish we were doing more stuff, because I was all excited for spring, but she is as serene as a philosopher-queen. She is foraging in the woods and sometimes when I go down there is no sign of a horse at all and I holler her name in a slightly reedy voice and there is nothing for a moment and then - suddenly - a mighty red creature bursts out of the treeline, all her flags flying, all her glory blazing, and declares, ‘It is I, the Red Mare,’ and her two consorts trundle out after her and everyone looks around and blinks at the light and I laugh and laugh and laugh, because those dramatic appearances never, ever get old.

18/04/2024

How many chickens in the grain tub does it take to p**s off one pony? 😂🐔🐴

17/04/2024

Apres ride. Good boy, Maximilian! ❤️

12/04/2024

Yuck. Today, I am grateful for dry shelters and (mostly) sensible horses. April showers and all that. 😉🥰