Spring 2025 Newsletter

🌸 Welcome to Spring at the Ranch!

It seems like it has been many years since we’ve experienced a true spring here in this part of California. This year brought late rains, cooler temperatures, and a gentle transition into warmer days—summer hasn’t quite arrived yet, with fewer than two days hitting triple digits. Spring has brought a refreshing rhythm back to the ranch: extended daylight, comfortable weather, and the energy to tackle long-awaited projects. It’s a season of growth—not just in the pastures, but in our community and infrastructure. Whether you’re here daily or only on weekends, it’s a wonderful time to connect with your horse, soak in the beauty of the ranch, and enjoy this nice weather.

🌿 General Happenings at the Ranch

With the mild spring and late rains came days and days of weed whacking and grass control. There’s always a downside to every upside, and this was certainly it! The surge in grass growth made for us being extremely busy managing vegetation across the ranch—mowing, trimming, and ensuring pathways and paddocks stayed safe and clear.

Amidst all the maintenance, many long-planned projects are finally underway, with several nearing completion. These improvements are not spontaneous—they’ve been in the works for more than two years, carefully organized and budgeted by Laura and Eric. It feels incredibly rewarding to see these ideas taking shape and making a visible impact around the ranch. Whether it’s upgraded infrastructure or new spaces for our horses, each step forward makes Emerald Hills Ranch even better for our community.

👋 Welcome New Ranch Members

We’re thrilled to welcome some wonderful new additions to our community:

• Trece & Greg Herder with their lovely mare Siri, now enjoying paddock #17.

• Megan and her gelding Windfall, who has settled into the gelding pasture.

Thank you for choosing Emerald Hills Ranch—we look forward to seeing you out riding, enjoying the facilities, and becoming part of the barn family.

💙 Fond Farewell

Believe it or not, no one has left the ranch recently! We love the consistency and camaraderie this brings.

🛠️ In Loving Remembrance

We’re grateful to report that no horses have passed this season. Every day with our equine partners is a gift, and we treasure each peaceful, healthy stretch we get to share with them.

🌟 Boarder of the Month

Boarder: Kelli Davis

Horse Name: Tuff As A Fox “Foxy”

• How long have you been riding horses? I’ve been riding for about 25 years, but Foxy is the first equid I’ve ever owned!

• Favorite Movie: A childhood favorite was Black Beauty

• Favorite Hobby/Pastime (besides horse riding): I enjoy camping, hiking, lake activities, archery, and baking.

• Breed of Horse and Why: My mule is a Thoroughbred mule—her sire is a donkey and her dam a Thoroughbred. I chose a mule because I love the bonds they form with their person. Mules are thinkers and I enjoy the challenge of exploring new things with them. They test your consistency, boundaries, and patience, but once you’ve earned their trust, they are incredibly loyal.

• Favorite Food Dish: Depends on the day, but I love sushi, Mexican, and Italian foods.

• Something Most Don’t Know About Your Horse: Mules are sterile due to their odd number of chromosomes. They result from crossing a male donkey and female horse. If reversed, the offspring is called a hinny.

• Dream Vacation: A backcountry packing trip in Montana or Colorado with Foxy.

• One Word to Describe Your Horse: Expressive—you always know what she’s thinking and feeling!

• Accomplishment You’re Most Proud Of: I’ve known Foxy since before she was born—I bred her dam, was there for her birth, and every milestone since. I’m proud of everything we’ve built together.

• Why You Enjoy Horse Riding: Because the rest of the world slips away when you’re riding.

• Bucket List Goal: To start trail riding with Foxy and work toward our dream packing vacation.

• Advice for New Riders: Never stop learning. Every rider and trainer brings different tools and insights—keep an open mind.

• Profession: I work at the UC Davis Horse Barn, teaching undergraduates about equine care and reproduction.

🔧 Ranch Improvements

1. Hard Water Line Project

We completed a new water line system that began with extensions to paddocks 28 and 29 (Sunny) and now stretches to paddock 30, the live-in gelding pasture, and the two automatics for the corral. This eliminates the need for long hose runs, improves water flow, and ensures better hydration access for the horses across multiple paddocks.

2. New 1 Acre Paddock

By extending the layout of our existing paddocks along the pond pasture, we created a large 1 acre space for four mares who have been on the waitlist for quite some time. This paddock offers ample space, access to automatic waterers, and serves as a temporary holding area until the larger 12+ acre mare pasture is developed. Because four of our current boarders’ horses moved to this new space, it opened paddocks for Mixer (now in 25) and Trillion (now in 28).

3. Landscape Lighting Project

The new low-voltage lighting system has transformed the ranch after dark. We installed pathway lighting and uplights along key walkways, parking areas, and structures. This not only adds beautiful ambiance to evening visits but provides essential safety for night riders and late-evening barn access.

4. Irrigation System Overhaul

To prepare for efficient summer irrigation, we replaced approximately 400 feet of old 4” pipe and added reducers at each riser. This supports our new K-Line pod irrigation system, which replaces the outdated big guns. The pod system is energy-efficient, minimizes overwatering, and allows us to move water through the fields faster and with greater control.

5. Pond Aeration System

We’re 75% finished installing a new oxygen aeration system in the pond. This project enhances the health of our aquatic environment by circulating the water to prevent stagnation, discourage algae buildup, and support a more balanced ecosystem. The aesthetic improvement is an added bonus—expect a cleaner, more vibrant pond this summer.

6. Tree & Fire Safety Work

We’ve been hard at work trimming trees, cutting down overgrowth, and preparing defensible space as part of our fire season readiness. For the first time, we’ll also be using a plow to create fire breaks along the ranch perimeter, reducing reliance on the cows to keep tall grass under control.

7. Ongoing Maintenance

Daily chores, paddock management, water trough cleaning, shelter repair, tool barn organization—you name it, it’s getting done. Shout out to the whole ranch team for keeping the ship running!

🐎 Fun Facts About Horse Care & Health

Why Horses Nap Standing Up — and Why Lying Down Still Matters

Horses can sleep standing up thanks to a system of tendons and ligaments called the stay apparatus, which lets them rest their muscles without collapsing. This ability comes from their days as prey animals, when staying upright meant being ready to flee.

But here’s the catch—REM sleep only happens when a horse lies down. They need short periods lying down (usually 20–60 minutes) to get the full benefits of rest.

Signs of sleep deprivation in horses:

• Swaying or sudden “collapsing” naps

• Reduced performance or grumpiness

• Reluctance to lie down

Support better rest by:

• Offering a calm, safe environment

• Ensuring dry, comfortable ground

• Keeping turnout schedules regular

Just like us, horses need good sleep to stay healthy and happy!

📸 Photos of the Month

⚠️ Safety Issues & Reminders

• Fire Drill Notice:

  
  

  • New boarders must attend one of the following:

    
    

    • Saturday, June 28 | 8–10 a.m.

    • Tuesday, July 1 | 8–10 a.m.

    
    

  • All existing boarders must take a short quiz and sign off with Laura.

  
  

• Please continue to check under your vehicles before leaving.

  Casper (our shy white cat) is becoming more visible—and we want to keep all our ranch animals safe!

🖼️ Cartoon of the Month

💬 Final Thoughts

Spring brings more than just blooming trees and warmer days—it brings a renewed sense of possibility and appreciation for the little things that make ranch life so special. From new water lines and paddocks to our beautiful new landscape lighting, the ranch feels alive with progress and energy.

But perhaps the most meaningful parts of this season have been the quiet moments—those that remind us we’re part of something more than just a boarding facility. We’ve watched Casper, our elusive white barn cat, finally emerge from the shadows. After nearly a year of hiding, he’s slowly becoming more visible, curious, and even social. If you spot him sunbathing or sneaking around a hay bale, give him a friendly wave—he’s learning to trust.

On a more somber note, we said goodbye to Pearl, our beautiful white peacock. She had a grace and presence that enchanted many of us, and she will be sorely missed. A kind neighbor down by the lake, knowing how much she meant to us, took the time to let us know she had passed. Pearl was one of those magical creatures who made the ranch feel like something out of a storybook, and her absence is deeply felt.

To our boarders: thank you for everything you do to keep this community thriving. From sweeping your aisles and caring for your horses to looking out for our cats and helping each other—your kindness and attention are the heartbeat of Emerald Hills Ranch.

As we move into the summer months, let’s continue to care for this space, our animals, and each other with the same thoughtfulness that makes this place feel like home. We’re so grateful to have you here.

— With warmth and appreciation,

The Emerald Hills Ranch Team