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Home » horseback riding » Page 17

Bar SZ Ranch Home of Doc Bar and Thomas Kinkade

June 3, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

The Bar SZ Ranch

Bar SZ RanchThe Bar SZ Ranch was once the home of legendary American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame stallion, Doc Bar.  As part of an event of a No Worries Club West Coast Group, the Nor Cal Downunder Brumbies, we participated in a weekend long stay at this famous ranch.  While Doc Bar died in 1992 he is still buried on the Bar SZ Ranch under a walnut tree just outside the mare barn.

Bar SZ RanchThe Bar SZ Ranch was sold to the artist Thomas Kinkade in 2001.  The Bar SZ Ranch has a main house, a guest house, and an art studio apartment.  Located in San Benito, California, once a stagecoach rest stop between Fresno and Monterey, the property is under the guidance of the Kinkade Foundation.  The Bar SZ Ranch managers are Tim and Michelle Borland who also happen to be part of the group.

Bar SZ RanchNearly thirty people participated in the group activities.  Meals and cleanup were shared between the attendees.  The only thing we had to worry about was taking care of and having fun with our horses.  There were a ton of things to do around the ranch.  We had a large open arena, a covered arena, a couple of round pens, several different trail courses to ride on, and cows.  One session was on ranch sorting, where participants got to try their had at moving cows.  Another was roping and we had some mechanical devices to rope.  For each event, the Bar SZ Ranch brought in a knowledgeable neighbor to help instruct.

When we were not with the horses we spent an ample time hiking or just lounging around enjoying the company of our new friends in a gorgeous setting.

If you would like to read more about our trip, check out this blog page.

Links to the Bar SZ Ranch:

There are lots of ways to get information on the Bar SZ Ranch.  Below are links for their website, Facebook, and rental pages.

Bar SZ Ranch  Website   Facebook  VRBO  AirBNB1   AirBNB2

Nor Cal Downunder Brumbies

Chris White Equine Sports Massage Therapy HorseMasseuse@aol.com

Contact us

Stay in touch.  It is easy.  Just put your name in the newsletter subscribe box at the top of the page.  As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: john@whoapodcast.com And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along. Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Bar SZ Ranch, Doc Bar, Downunder Horsemanship, horse, horseback riding, trail riding

Road Trip to the Home of Doc Bar

May 30, 2014 by John 4 Comments

The Home of Doc Bar

Ranae working Dusty at the home of Doc Bar

Ranae working Dusty at the home of Doc Bar

After interviewing the Nor Cal Downunder Brumbies coordinator Michael Canfield for our Whoa Podcast and hearing about a Memorial Day gathering at the Bar SZ Ranch, the home of Doc Bar in San Benito, Ca. we immediately signed up.  The only catch was we would have to prepare a meal for 20+.  I figured I could not screw up breakfast too much, so we were in. Ranae scheduled a couple of extra days off and we were both excited for the opportunity to get out of town with our horses.

What we had not counted on was just how much fun and enjoyable the trip would be.  The Nor Cal Downunder Brumbies are a group of people who have bonded over the Clinton Anderson Downunder Horse Training Method.  They have a common goal to share techniques and help each other learn as much as possible about horse training.  I’ve been part of groups similar to this in other fields and it is difficult to get participation and leadership.  No so with the Brumbies.  This trip had 25 + people and almost as many horses.  Michael had fashioned a schedule that, as he liked to say, was “written in frozen jello”.  This was essentially saying, “here’s what we have planned, but if you want to do something else, knock yourself out.”

The Bar SZ Ranch was once the home of the Hall of Fame Quarter Horse Doc Bar who died in 1992 and is buried under a walnut tree between his stable and the mare barn.  Even though I’ve only seen pictures of Doc Bar,  you can feel his presence.  In 2001 the 660 acre ranch was purchased by the renowned artist Thomas Kinkade.  Kinkade used the ranch as a retreat and transformed the guest house into an art studio.  It has a great view of the Diablo Mountains.

Thomas Kinkade Art Studio

Thomas Kinkade Art Studio

The property has had its ups and downs since Kinkade’s death in 2012.  The property is under the guidance of the Kinkade Foundation who recently placed Tim and Michelle Borland as stewards.  The Borlands live on the property with their three children and have been culling the livestock to a more manageable level for the property’s resources.

 The Borlands hope to take advantage of the idyllic location and atmosphere of the ranch.  By combining their love of horses and the outdoors with the excellent horse and housing facilities the Borlands plan on marketing the property for horse events, such as sorting or training, family reunions, company retreats, and weddings.

 With 660 acres, a 10 stall mare barn, Doc Bar’s stallion barn, round pen, covered arena, and open arena there is more than enough room for horses.  With a main house that sleeps twelve and and artist’s studio that has two bedrooms and a loft to sleep four, there is enough room to sleep a lot of people.

 We arrived on Friday afternoon, settled the horses, and took a walk around the place.  There are pastures and trails, horseshoe pit, a very nice patio at the main house and a lovely deck at the art studio.  We lucked out and got the master bedroom in the art studio.  Meals were shared among the members.  We had Sunday breakfast.  I had never cooked for twenty five people before and was a little apprehensive, but it all turned out just fine.  If you weren’t assigned to preparing a meal, you got assigned to clean up.  Other than learning the idiosyncrasies of the kitchen appliances, everything turned out just dandy.

Our Stand of Trees

Our Stand of Trees

Saturday morning there were a couple of workshops both in the covered arena and out in the main arena. Jessie and I took advantage of the main arena to do some groundwork on the lead.  After doing some C-pattern, lungeing for respect, de-sensitizing we backed up all the way to the trailer to saddle up.  There were some cones and poles set up.  We did a little more warm up and the loped some circles.  It was a great area to lope.  The footing was pretty good and there was a lot of room.  Off to the side was a stand of trees that Tim had pruned so we could do some bending exercises there.  It was a great little area.  There were some gopher and squirrel holes we had to negotiate, but that just made it a little more challenging.

 After lunch we watched a video on Ranch Sorting.  The video was for beginners and the hosts began by demonstrating the art of moving cattle and the rules of the game on foot.  This really appealed to me as it slowed everything down and it gave me an opportunity to see just how movement and position affected the cattle.  When I mentioned I really wanted to try it from the ground, the group was open to the suggestion and many of us had the opportunity to work close to the herd.

Doc Bar Ranch

Ranch Sorting

When we finally got to work the cattle from horseback we had an experienced Ranch Sorter and neighbor of the ranch, Verne Shields, right in there with us offering guidance.  Not everyone chose to participate, and that was fine, but everyone who did, got as much time as they liked.

 Sunday morning there were a few more workshops and Chris White gave us a seminar on equine massage and saddle fitting.  Jessie and I worked out in the arena again.  She was a bit herd-bound and I did not think she was paying enough attention.  We had an opportunity to work on a few things.  We also spent more time in the stand of trees working on bending.  She was a little chargy on the trail ride and we worked on getting her to be comfortable in the back.  The ground in the open areas had quite a few squirrels holes and we did get as much done on this problem as I had hoped.

Doc Bar Ranch

Obstacle course

Out at the end of one of the trails Tim and Michelle had built a natural obstacle course. There was a wooden bridge, some tires to serpentine, and a number of dead logs to jump. Everyone spent about 20 minutes working the different areas.  After everyone had had enough we headed back to the barn.

Sunday evening after dinner we had a barn dance. As one of a number of special talents this couple possess, Tim and Michelle teach country western dancing.  In no time at all they had us doing the country 2-step and the Electric Slide.

Monday morning after breakfast Ranae and I went on a solo ride through the foothills.  It was great being out there together –  just us and our horses.  It was tough leaving.  We had a four hour drive home that, with holiday traffic, turned to five.  Then a couple of hours unpacking and settling the horses in back home.  It was an end to a long weekend and I had no problems falling asleep that night.  While we are at home now, I think a little piece of me stayed back there with Doc Bar.

Doc Bar Ranch

Below is a short little video of our experience:

Filed Under: The Podcast, YouTube Tagged With: Downunder Horsemanship, Entertainment, horseback riding, Horsemanship, trail riding

Charles Wilhelm Ultimate Horse Challenge

May 20, 2014 by John 1 Comment

Charles Wilhelm Ultimate Super Horse Challenge

Episode #026

Charles WilhelmCharles Wilhelm has always believed in a versatile horse.  A horse should be strong in the ring, but also quiet enough to go on a trail ride.  A horse safe enough for your child to ride.  A horse that can play with cows and is comfortable with a rope.  A horse that will not spook if your hat gets blown off.  A horse that you can enjoy in the roping arena or on a parade.

Charles Wilhelm believes in a balance and responsive horse.  Charles believes the horse should be able to pick up the correct lead easily. Charles Wilhelm training improves the rider as well by helping the rider become more balance and responsive to the horse.  Charles Wilhelm Training clinics are fun and informative.

Charles WilhelmNow, Charles Wilhelm has developed a competition where riders can put their skills to the test.  This year at the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento. The event will take place over three days and each day there is an elimination.

Charles Wilhelm knows what he’s talking about.  He’s written for many of the horse magazines, has a book, Building Your Dream Horse, and has a show on HRTV.

 

 Contact us

Stay in touch.  It is easy.  Just put your name in the newsletter subscribe box at the top of the page.  As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: john@whoapodcast.com And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along. Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Equitation, horse, horseback riding, Horsemanship, trail riding

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

May 13, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

Cowboy Mounted ShootingCowboy Mounted Shooting

Episode #027

What could be more fun the horses, guns, and balloons?  On this episode of the Whoa Podcast we explore Cowboy Mounted Shooting.   Essentially it is a rider wearing a holstered firearm riding through a course.  On the course are some balloons usually on stakes.  The rider must negotiate the course as fast as possible shooting the balloons.  As you can imagine, cowboy mounted shooting takes a broke horse and a steady hand.  We talk to Cathy and Johnnie Hendricks of the Roy Rogers Rangers, a shooting club in Southern California.  Cathy and Johnnie walk us through the basics of cowboy mounted shooting, the organization that runs competitions, and what you can expect at a competition.

kenny Lawson cowboy mounted shootingThen we talk to Kenny Lawson of the Silver Dollar Ranch.  Kenny was one of the horsemen at the Horsemen’s Re-Union.  We caught him in the autograph hall.  It’s a little noisy, but Kenny has a lot of good information.  Kenny talks about how you get your horse used to the course and the use and safety of gun handling.  Kenny offers clinics on cowboy mounted shooting on a regular basis.

You can learn more about cowboy mounted shooting check out the CMSA website.  Or check out the videos HERE

 Contact us

Stay in touch.  It is easy.  Just put your name in the newsletter subscribe box at the top of the page.  As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: john@whoapodcast.com And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along. Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

Our Android App On Amazon

Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: competing, cowboy mounted shooting, horse, horseback riding, Horsemanship

Evidence Based Horsemanship with Martin Black

May 6, 2014 by John 2 Comments

Evidence Based Horsemanship with Martin Black

Episode #025Evidence Based Horsemanship

Evidence Based Horsemanship

Have you ever wondered if there was a good time to train on your horse?  If so, I think you will enjoy this podcast about Evidence Based Horsemanship.  At the recent Horseman’s Re-Union in Paso Robles, Ca,  I caught up with clinician and horse trainer Martin Black.  Martin has co-authored a book with on this subject with Dr. Stephen Peters.  While I have not read the book, other than the excerpts on Amazon, it is apparent that there are two aspects to this concept.  One is the scientific physiology the horse goes through in the training process.  I hope to get into the details of this with Dr. Peters in a future podcast.

Evidence Based HorsemanshipThe other side of the concept is the practical, hands-on, nuts and bolts of what’s happening in the training process from a highly experienced trainer – Martin Black.  Martin walks us through a couple of examples I witnessed on evidence based horsemanship that happened during the colt starting process.  He also goes into how this understanding of what the horse is going through while in learning mode, can help you achieve better results with your horse.  Evidence based horsemanship looks at the horse from a completely different angle.  When you learn the mechanics of the learning process, you can become more efficient with it.

Harris Stage Lines

Wandering around the Mid-State Fairgrounds checking out the vendors and exhibits, I came across Tommy Harris.  Tom owns Harris Stage Lines and owns a real stagecoach.  It’s beautiful!  He also has a chuck wagon.  Tommy talks to us about the history of the old west and what an important role these wagons played in our countries expansion.  You also get a little of the sounds of the cowboy cookout music going on right next to Tommy’s exhibit.Harris Stage Lines

 Contact us

Stay in touch.  It is easy.  Just put your name in the newsletter subscribe box at the top of the page.  As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: john@whoapodcast.com And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along. Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

Harris Stage LinesOur Android App On Amazon

Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

 

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Entertainment, horse, horseback riding, Horsemanship

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