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Dude Ranch Staff Horse Bios

Face Markings: 

Top Row, L-R: Blaze, Stripe, Stripe (or thin blaze) and snip, Irregular blaze, Interrupted stripe, bald face.
Bottom row, L-R: Faint star, Star, Star and strip, irregular star, snip, lip marking
Leg markings:

Top row, L-R: Stocking, Sock or Boot, Fetlock or Sock.
Bottom row, L-R: Pastern, Coronet, Partial Pastern
 
 
Key:
Extra Small horse: <900 lbs
Small horse: 900 lbs-1000 lbs
Medium horse: 1000-1100 lbs
Large horse: 1100-1200 lbs
Extra Large horse: >1200 lbs
 
Extra Small rider: <100 lbs
Small rider: 100-140 lbs
Medium rider: 140-170 lbs
Large rider: 170-200 lbs
Extra Large rider: >200 lbs
 
Note: these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Questions to consider:
  • Human’s height & weight proportional?
  • Athleticism?
  • Leg length?
  • Human experience and riding skill?
 
LH: Left Hind
RH: Right Hind
FR: Front Right
FL: Front Left
 

Meet the Herd:

Name: Annie
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Bay Leopard
Breed: Appaloosa
Birth Year: 2001
Size: M
Rider Size: XS-S
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate
Comments: Alpha mare and has the attitude to match. Watch for soreness on her sides and back as she is prone to stomach ulcers. Mainly confident kids horse – has a significant weight limit. Can handle walk rides but can not go on the long lunch ride.
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Name: Bailey
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel with an irregular, half-crescent star
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2005
Size: L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Experienced guests if worked consistently
Comments: Old D3 barrel horse, bought in ’22. Can get sore on the left hind when loping due to the scar tissue from barrel racing. Calm and sensitive when worked consistently. Very soft mouth – use hackamore with guests; if you pull hard on her mouth, she will rear.
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Name: Bob
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, LH/RH socks, strip/snip
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2012
Size: M-L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-advanced
Comments: Extremely herd-sour. Can get strong on the way home. English riders really like him due to how well he responds to the leg. Use for experienced guests unless you absolutely need to put a beginner on him. Will speed up to a trot if beginner does not have a good hold on him. Better follow horse rather than lead.
BobFront
Name: Boone
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Dun Tobiano with 4 stockings/socks
Breed: Paint/Draft Cross
Birth Year: 2013
Size: XL
Rider Size: XL
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Very sweet, can take guests of all experience levels. May buck if asked to lope in the arena, but will not buck if loping on the trails. Will trot to catch up if he falls behind due to all the snacking he does on rides. Can support disabled riders.
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Name: Brownie
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star & strip
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2002
Size: XS-S
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler only, working to be experienced guest horse
Comments: Purchased at CLA on 4/6/22. Very friendly and calm on the ground. Needs hours in the saddle and on the trail. Has runny eyes. Can rear up and get grouchy if he believes he is being left behind on trail heading back home.
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Name: Callie
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star, RH/LH socks
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2000
Size: XS-S
Rider Size: XS
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: 
Callie_2024
Name: Clarabelle
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Flaxen Chestnut, brand on left shoulder
Breed: Draft cross – Belgian
Birth Year: 2001
Size: XL
Rider Size: XS
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Very big but a sweetheart who loves kids. Has navicular issues in both front feet so she CANNOT carry riders over 115lbs. Easy to pony on the trail and a fantastic kids’ horse. Generally should stay in special feeders since she is a hard keeper.
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Name: Clyde
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay Tobiano, blaze, 4 stockings
Breed: Paint (Grade)
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: S
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Barn sour, but sensitive. Can be an older kids’ horse or used for a small, inexperienced adult. Developed stomach ulcers in summer of 2020, has been grumpy ever since. Pins ears a lot and could try to bite if the kid is annoying him. Good lead horse as he is scared of very little.
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Name: Dealer
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Dun
Breed: 
Birth Year: 
Horse Size: 
Rider Size:
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler-only
Comments: 
Name: Debbie
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, dispersed star on face, brand on right hindquarter
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2000
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: XS-S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Solid beginner horse, does well in the arena. Needs light rider to prevent soreness in her extra-long back. Fantastic lesson horse. MEAN – will bite/kick other horses. Had a skin infection on her back which is no longer there but it can be treated with athlete’s foot spray if it reappears. Semi-retired.
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Name: Diamond
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Liver chestnut, star (looks like a diamond), snip, RH/LH socks
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2008
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Confident Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Needs a confident rider who will keep her away from branches and tell her to keep up with the group. Rider must be willing to tell her what to do otherwise she’ll wander away or stop. NO KIDS. Likes her space and will kick if a horse gets too close behind her.
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Name: Dolly
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Bay Snowflake Appaloosa, star
Breed: Arabian cross
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Comments: Hot, but good for confident riders and fun for experienced riders. Very sweet horse (to humans). Fantastic neck-reiner. Will kick the horse behind her if too close. Needs space between her and other mares when tied or she’ll start a fight. Tends to favor her RF shoulder – possible muscle issue.
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Name: Eclipse
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Flaxen Black Chestnut
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Good horse on the trail, but might try to test rider in the beginning. If rider can control her, then she is very good on trail and pretty bombproof. Known to turn around and bite the horse behind her, so needs some space. Does well leading as long as she has her space, and does well drag. Cinchy!
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Name: Gus
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, blaze w/ skin flap, large scar on right front shoulder, MJ brand, LH/RH pasterns
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2002
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Solid horse. Not spooky, but easily surprised if you touch him suddenly. Likes to mosey at the back of the line and then trots to catch up. Prone to soreness in his back and he’ll let you know if it’s bothering him by flinching at the slightest touch. Uses a wither pad.
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Name: Honey
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Chestnut, blaze
Breed: Haflinger
Birth Year: 2007
Horse Size: S
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Experienced
Comments: Honey was purchased spring of 2024. She is a solid horse for intermediate-experienced riders, best for confident riders. Does well in the string, but sensitive about horses too close behind & next to her and will kick. She is fairly high in the pecking order, but can occasionally fall, so keep an eye on her weight. Does not know how to neck rein – direct rein only. Likes to jog on the trails when worked up.
Comments from previous owner: One of the kindest horses I have ever worked with. “60 day refresher” after time off in the pasture – now learning side pass.
Name: Indigo
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Blue roan, star
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Solid horse, but very weak for his size. Good for kids & adults under 120lbs. Check tack mid-summer as he gains topline muscle. Great for kids in the arena and on the trail. Use for arena lessons as he actually listens in the arena. Can be a hard keeper, so watch his weight and place in special feeders as needed.
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Name: Jim
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Grey
Breed: Mule
Birth Year: 2001
Horse Size: XL
Rider Size: L-XL
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Big guy and he knows it. Can be stubborn and eats everything. Needs some ground manners. Spooky if at the front of the line, but otherwise a solid beginner horse if they’re willing to ask him to go faster.
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Name: Little Joe
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Palomino, LH/RH pasterns
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2007
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Can be spooky if left in the back of the line. Very slow walker if rider is not engaged, trots to catch up. Back right leg scar tissue causes it to always look swollen but it’s fine. Has a VERY fast lope/gallop, need to instruct guest before loping that he is faster and how slow him down.
LittleJOe5
Name: Matilda (“Tilly”)
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Black, white mustache
Breed: Percheron
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: XL
Rider Size: L-XL
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Bought at the end of winter (February 2024) as a “pregnant mare.” Was not pregnant. She behaves well for riders, but can be snacky and slow. Will test her rider, so does well with a confident beginner.
Name: Merry
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, irregular blaze looking like a T, RF stocking, LF/LH/RH socks.
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2008
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Fairly calm, relaxed mare. Good for beginner-intermediate riders and does well in the string. Low in the pecking order and gets bullied, so keep an eye on her weight and coat. Big cribbing problem and will crib even with her cribbing collar on, which will rub a sore on her neck.
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Name: Montee
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Dark Bay, RH/LH socks, star/snip
Breed: Clydesdale cross
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: XL
Rider Size: L-XL
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Very gentle horse, will roll in pond or snow with rider if he’s allowed to get too close. Fungus in his ears causes him to be head-shy, so you must be careful when bridling (undo the crown to bridle). Reflects the rider’s attitude. Good lead horse (likes to lead). Will try to eat on the trail a lot, taking advantage of rider if they do not pick up his head.
Monty
Name: Mouse
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Grullo, small star
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2009
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Slow, can be stubborn for small kids. Bombproof except for at the fence (will spook at falling saddle blankets). Do not tie for the farrier (fence puller). Best for older kids and nervous adults. Can carry a lot of weight for his size. His belly can be itchy, so he may try to scratch with rider.
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Name: Pendleton
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, blaze that covers has nose/lower lip
Breed: Percheron cross
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: L-XL
Rider Size: L-XL
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Severe ADD, tends to wander. Developed habit of dragging guests through trees due to sore feet when he got here in spring of 2020. Still likes to drag guests through the trees if they can’t control him. Spooky as a lead horse, fine in the string. Does not do well with a bit, must stay in a hack. Needs a well-balanced rider. Clumsy & can tend to trip. Swaybacked.
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Name: Pocahontas
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel Paint, chin, 4 big stockings
Breed: Paint
Birth Year: 2012
Horse Size: 
Rider Size: 
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler-only (no tack)
Comments: Has been used in the feedlot and gently roped off of. Has carried previous owner’s children. 
Name: Ranger
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay Paint, one blue eye
Breed: Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH)
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Purchased May 2023; supposedly gaited (RMT), but very clumsy. Keeps mostly well but occasionally needs to be added to the skinny regimen. 
Ranger - dude ranch trail ride horse
Name: Rheba
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star/stripe/snip
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2003
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler-only (no tack)
Comments: Auction purchase from 2020. We believe she was either started really late or had a lot of years off before going to auction. Pretty green and sensitive, but sweet. Needs to see the chiropractor occasionally for her back. Needs very light hands and legs, but has a lot of potential. Needs more time on the trail and in arena to learn pressure and how to move where the rider wants to go.
Name: Remmington
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Buckskin Bay, BLM freeze brand on left side of neck
Breed: Mustang
Birth Year: 2008
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Experienced
Comments: Very alert and sensitive, must earn his trust before he’ll approach you in the paddock (hard to catch). Will buck/rear if not worked consistently. Need two people to catch or you will spend 45 minutes trying to get him (or one person with a feedbag that has some sweet feed in it). Good lead horses if rider is confident, spooky if the rider is nervous.
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Name: River
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Seal Brown, star, RH/LH socks
Breed: Thoroughbred
Birth Year:
Horse Size: 
Rider Size: 
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Experience, but also Wrangler-Only (no tack)
Comments: Purchased 8/25/23. 
Name: Roanie
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Red Road, star, RH sock
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Comments: Solid horse. Walks fast, but will not bolt. Head shy. Good for confident beginners who don’t mind a fast pace and lots of fun for intermediate riders. Good lead horse. Good barrel racer in the arena.
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Name: Rosey
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Flaxen, irregular blaze looking like a 7, RF sock, LH stocking
Breed: Arabian cross
Birth Year: 2007
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Experienced
Comments: Can fight for control at first, but if you can get through that then should be good on trail IF worked consistently. Tosses head a lot, just need to maintain contact in her mouth. Can get got (arab cross), but very fun. Can come up lame quickly and can be a skinny as she is low in the pecking order, so keep an eye on her weight.
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Name: Sammy
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Red Roan Paint, thick blaze, RH stocking
Breed: Arabian cross (gaited)
Birth Year: 2009
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler/Experienced Guest ONLY if worked consistently
Comments: Hot, needs a very patient rider willing to work through fast walking and who knows how to half-halt. Very sensitive; will rear if in a large or energetic group. Gaited and lopes. Does not do well in a bit (rides in a hack).
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Name: Sasha
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, LH sock, RH pastern
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2002
Horse Size: S
Rider Size: S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Kids’ horse, but no very young kids. Great for small-sized kids that can tell her what to do. Hard keeper due to fast metabolism and being bottom of the herd. Very sweet and reliable.
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Name: Snort
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay, half stripe & snip, LH/RH socks, faded brand on shoulder
Breed: 1/4 Draft & 3/4 Quarter Horse
Birth Year: 2021
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: N/A
Rider Skill Level: Wild
Comments: Not yet under saddle, Dan’s “project horse” pre-injury; some wranglers have been working with him. Very sweet, curious, and intelligent, but spooky when approaching – does better approaching you himself. Treat/food motivated! Doing better with brushing and standing near his sides. Halter stays on at all times. Do not pull without barn manager’s OK. 
Name: Tex
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay, blaze, greying out, RH/LH socks
Breed: Grade
Birth Year: 2004
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate
Comments: Doesn’t know how to use hindquarters so his trot/lope are bumpy. Spooky when leading but great in the line. Very intelligent and loves attention. Likes to go with the other horses so he follows nicely. Scared of the disc golf baskets. Was an old cow horse before so not spooky towards ropes. Sway-back. 
Name: Willow
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Bay, star
Breed: 
Birth Year: 2015
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Experienced
Comments: