š¦ļø Welcome to the New Year! š¦ļø
From all of usāEric, Laura, and the entire teamāwe wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season. As we enjoy the green hills and refreshing rain, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to call this place our "Sanctuary". Hereās to a beautiful season ahead.
General Happenings at the Ranch
It's been a wet and wild December here at the ranch, but as we ring in the new year, weāre excited for a break in the rain and a chance to enjoy the lush, green beauty that surrounds us. The hills are officially alive with grass, creating a magical setting for horse and rider alike.
Of course, with green hills comes the inevitable mud. Thankfully, our team has been hard at work digging trenches to redirect rainwater to Lake Solano, keeping much of the ranch functional. While there are a few muddy spots, weāre grateful to keep our turn-out pastures open, the arena in use, and access to the hills available for riding. Hereās to a fresh start in 2025āmay it bring peace, joy, and lots of great riding!
Welcome New Ranch Members
Weāre excited to welcome two new horses to the Emerald Hills family:
ā¢ Mixer (Black) owned by Madeline
ā¢ Trillion (Chestnut/Sorrel) owned by Audrey
Both horses have joined our live-in gelding pasture and are already settling in beautifully. Welcome to the ranch!
Fond Farewell
In what seemed like a blink of an eye, Shelly and her horse Koko joined the ranch and just as quickly realized they needed to be closer to home. We wish them all the best in their next chapter and hope theyāve found a place that works for their needs.
In Loving Remembrance
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Gizmo, our approximately 38-year-old stallion who came with the ranch 25 years ago. Gizmo was truly a hidden gemādespite decades of minimal handling, he revealed a sweet, gentle nature when we decided to take over his care and give him a much-deserved makeover. He loved the attention, handled beautifully, and reminded us of his past as a pampered stud. Each day with Gizmo was a gift, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. Rest easy, old friendāyou were one of a kind.
Boarder & Horse of the Month
Boarder: Kathryn Skinner
Horse name: My horse's name is Daisy. Ā Her racing name was Daisy Clover.
How long have you been riding horses: Been riding horses since I was 10 years old.
What is your favorite movie: Tough to narrow down favorite movie...love old musicals and horror movies!
What is your favorite hobby or pastime besides horse riding? My favorite hobby is music. Ā I'm very fortunate to be a vocalist for several big bands in Sac and the Bay Area. Ā Also very appreciative of my fellow boarders/friends from EH who have come out to support me at various shows!
What breed is your horse, and why did you choose this breed? Daisy is a thoroughbred. Ā I've loved watching races my whole life and always hoped to someday give a retired race horse a wonderful home.
What is your favorite food dish? Favorite food dish is pizza. Ā Or anything I don't have to cook!!!
Name one thing about your horse that most do not know: Many may not know that Daisy had a very impressive racing career until she badly injured her right front leg. Ā She had surgery, became a brood mare and was then retired. She often stumbles on that leg.
What would your dream vacation be? Dream vacation would be a cruise with lots of scuba diving around the Fiji Islands.
What is one word that best describes your horse? One word to describe Daisy would be "sociable". Ā She loves people.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I'm most proud of my 11 years spent as a KC-10 pilot in the Air Force.
Why do you enjoy horse riding? I enjoy riding horses because of the deep connection it brings with such beautiful and wonderful animals.
What is something on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish soon? I hope to check the Kentucky Derby and Bourbon Trail off my bucket list soon!
What advice would you give to someone new to horse riding? My advice to a new rider would be: Ā "Listen to the horse and always be patient"
What do you do for a living? I'm a heavy equipment operator! ;) A 787 pilot for American Airlines.
Improvements Around the Ranch
The new tractor has been a game-changer, helping us tackle numerous projects over the past few months. Here are some highlights:
1. Arena Drainage: A new trench system now routes rainwater away from the covered section of the arena, keeping the ground dry and providing more usable riding space than ever before.
2. Cookieās New Paddock: We relocated the cow sorting scales, shoots, and corrals to build a new paddock for Cookie. This move also gave Sunny, Honey, and Annabelle a new neighborāeveryone seems happy with the arrangement!
3. Manure Management Overhaul: The new manure spreader is eliminating the old manure pile, reducing flies and freeing up space near the hay barn for trailer parking. Rain has temporarily paused this project, but once the mud dries, weāll finish grading the area and spreading gravel for improved parking.
4. Hay Barn Drainage: The gutters from the hay barn now drain into a rerouted system that flows to the creek, keeping Cookieās paddock dry.
5. Jason and Rainās New Shelter: Paddock #26 received a new shelter just in time for the first big rain! Built from an existing carport structure, itās already keeping Jason and Rain dry and cozy.
6. Live-In Pasture Updates: The removal of the big metal feeders is creating more shelter space for the horses. Stay tuned for additional updates next month!
Fun Facts About Horse Care/Health
The Dreaded Ulcers: What You Need to Know
Gastric ulcers can significantly impact a horseās health and performance, but with knowledge and prevention, they can be managed effectively.
General Information:
Prevention Tips:
Photos of the Month
Safety Issues
ā¢ Wear appropriate shoes for the ranchāmud at turn-out gates can act like a suction cup!
ā¢ Be cautious on wet pavement, which can become slippery.
Final Thoughts
As we step into 2025, we are grateful for the incredible community that makes Emerald Hills such a special place. Hereās to a new year filled with health, happiness, and many joyful moments with our horses. Thank you for being part of our journeyāwe canāt wait to see what this year brings!
Warm wishes,
The Emerald Hills Ranch Team
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