š Summer 2026 Newsletter
- Eric Haraga
- Aug 1
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Emerald Hills Ranch
August 2026
āļø Summer at Emerald Hills Ranch
Summer has officially arrived at Emerald Hills Ranch. The hills have traded their vibrant spring green for the familiar golden colors of a California summer, and the warmer temperatures have settled in right on schedule. While the days are getting hotter and the landscape is drying out, life around the ranch is as busy as ever.
One of the things that makes Emerald Hills unique this time of year is the contrast. Beyond our fences, the countryside turns shades of gold and brown, while inside the ranch we're working every day to keep our turnout pastures lush and green. Between irrigation, mowing, water management, fly control, and plenty of extra attention to the horses during the hottest days, summer is one of our busiest seasons.
Early mornings are filled with nickers from horses waiting for breakfast, afternoons bring the hum of sprinklers and the occasional splash from horses cooling off, and evenings settle into some of the most beautiful sunsets of the year. It's a season that reminds us just how special this place really is.
Whether you're here every day or only a few times a week, we hope you enjoy everything summer has to offer at Emerald Hills Ranch.
šæ General Happenings at the Ranch
Sometimes the best practice is the kind you never planned for.
Only a couple of weeks after completing our annual fire drill, Cal Fire lost control of a prescribed burn west of the ranch along Highway 128. Fortunately, we never received an evacuation order, only a Sheriff's warning that one was possible. Even so, several boarders chose to evacuate their horses as a precaution.
What could have been a stressful situation actually became a valuable learning experience. Horses loaded calmly, communication worked well, and everyone came together to help one another. While we all hope we never have to perform a full scale evacuation, it was reassuring to see our planning put into action. We'd much rather discover ways to improve during a warning than during an actual emergency.
The experience also gave us a chance to identify a few small ways to improve communication and coordination before the next drill.
Another exciting change this summer is that both Laura, our Ranch Manager, and Michael, our full time Ranch Hand, have officially moved onto the ranch.
Having experienced staff living on the property means someone is nearby when an urgent horse care issue, water problem, or unexpected situation arises.
Behind the scenes, we've also been working on restructuring portions of our staffing and management. As the ranch continues to grow, so do the needs of both our horses and boarders. Over the coming months you'll begin seeing some new faces joining the team as we continue building a staff that reflects the level of care we strive to provide every single day.
Most importantly, we'd like to thank all of you for your understanding, support, and trust. We recognize that choosing where your horse lives is a big decision, and we're grateful you've chosen to make Emerald Hills Ranch home.
š Welcome New Ranch Members
One of the best parts of ranch life is welcoming new horses and their people into the Emerald Hills family. Every horse brings a unique personality, every owner has their own story, and before long they become another familiar face around the barn. This summer has brought several wonderful additions to our community.
Randy Gassett & Her Three Horses
We're excited to welcome Randy Gassett, who is making the move from Arizona with her three horses. Randy and her three horses are scheduled to arrive during the first week of August and will be moving into Paddocks 24 and 26.
Moving horses across state lines is a huge undertaking, and we're honored she chose Emerald Hills Ranch as their new home. We know there are always plenty of questions and adjustments when moving to a new facility, so if you happen to see Randy around the ranch, don't hesitate to introduce yourself and make her feel welcome. We look forward to getting to know all three horses and watching them settle into California life.
Honey Beeman Expands Her Ranch Family
Earlier this year we welcomed Honey and HD to the ranch, and now the family has grown.
Honey recently brought her other two horses, Kiri and Charmy, to Emerald Hills. Kiri has settled into paddock 20, while Charmy now calls paddock 23 home.
It's always fun watching horses settle into new surroundings, learn the routines, and become part of daily ranch life. With HD, Kiri, and Charmy now all at Emerald Hills, Honeyās entire horse family is finally together in one place.
š Fond Farewell
While we always enjoy welcoming new faces, saying goodbye is never easy. One of the bittersweet parts of ranch life is watching people move on to new adventures. We miss them around the barn, but we're also excited for the next chapter in their journeys.
Zoe & Venemo
This summer we say "see you later" to Zoe and young Venemo.
Anyone who spent time near the gelding pasture probably smiled watching Rollie and his little shadow race around together. Wherever Rollie went, Venemo wasn't far behind. The two seemed to invent new games every day, and they provided endless entertainment for both horses and humans. Serge also appears to be wondering where one of his favorite playmates disappeared to.
Venemo has moved to a family memberās irrigated pasture where he will have plenty of room to graze, play, and continue growing.
We'll certainly miss seeing him around the ranch, but we're excited for this next chapter and wish Zoe and Venemo all the best. We have a feeling Rollie will always remember his little sidekick.
šļø In Loving Remembrance
One of the greatest blessings of this season is that no members of our ranch family crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
After saying goodbye to a few cherished horses over the past year, we're especially grateful to have reached this newsletter with only happy updates to share. Every horse at Emerald Hills holds a special place in someone's heart, and we're thankful they've all continued enjoying another beautiful California summer.
Here's to many more peaceful days, green pastures, and happy nickers around the ranch.
š Boarder & Horse of the Month
This summer we're featuring longtime horsewoman and one of our own ranch family members, Debbie Downing, along with her partner, Tater Tot.
Many of you know Debbie around the ranch, but you may not know just how long horses have been part of her life. She recently celebrated a milestone that many of us look forward to someday...
Retirement!
Congratulations, Debbie! We hope retirement simply means more saddle time, more furniture projects, and maybe just a little more chocolate.
š“ Horse:
Tater Tot
How long have you been riding?
Since I was 6 years old.
Favorite movie?
Avatar.
Favorite hobby besides horses?
I love refinishing old furniture. There's something incredibly satisfying about taking a worn out piece that someone else has given up on and giving it a whole new life with paint and stain. Be sure to check out the photo of the dresser from Bob's house that Debbie recently transformed. It's amazing what a little creativity can accomplish.
What breed is Tater Tot?
Tater is a registered Paint, although he's mostly Quarter Horse. I love Quarter Horses because they are smart, athletic, and have a strong work ethic.
Favorite food?
Chocolate. No explanation needed.
Something many people don't know about Tater?
Tater came through the Feather River College Equine Program in Quincy.
Dream vacation?
A week long pack trip deep in the wilderness.
One word that describes Tater?
Loving. Unless you're holding cookies... then "determined" might be more accurate.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My career as an FEI Dressage rider.
Why do you enjoy riding?
I love the feeling of freedom that comes from being outdoors and the connection between horse and rider. It's something that's difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself.
What's on your bucket list?
Visit Mount Rushmore.
Advice for new riders?
Listen to your horse. Be kind. Enjoy every moment you have together.
What do you do for a living?
I just retired!
Congratulations again, Debbie! We hope retirement brings you many more hours in the saddle, plenty of projects in the workshop, and maybe just a little extra chocolate.
š ļø Ranch Improvements
There's an old saying that if you own a ranch, your work is never finished. Around Emerald Hills, that couldn't be more true.
Some improvements are easy to notice the moment you pull through the gate. Others happen quietly behind the scenes and only become obvious when everything simply works the way it's supposed to. Summer has been full of both.
Keeping Our Pastures Green
One of the biggest ongoing projects has been fine tuning our irrigation system.
Like most large projects, the new system has had a few growing pains, but we're happy to say both turnout pastures are now green, healthy, and providing beautiful grazing for the horses.
Considering the surrounding hills have fully transitioned into their summer gold, it's always satisfying to look across the ranch and still see vibrant green pastures. It takes a tremendous amount of planning, maintenance, and constant adjustment, but seeing the horses spread out grazing makes every bit of the effort worthwhile.
Keeping two large turnout pastures green through a California summer requires daily monitoring, frequent adjustments, and a lot of cooperation from an irrigation system that occasionally seems to have ideas of its own.
Ready for Fire Season
Preparing an 58 acre ranch for fire season isn't something that happens in a weekend.
Over the past several months we've been weed whacking fence lines, creating fire breaks wherever possible, trimming vegetation, and reducing fuel around the property. At this point, only one large tree remains to be trimmed along the fence line before this year's preparation is complete.
A special thank you goes to Michael, who spent week after week with a weed whacker in hand tackling miles of perimeter fencing. It's not glamorous work, but it's some of the most important work we do each summer.
Cooling Things Down
If you've wandered through the catio recently, you've probably noticed something new.
Thanks to the generosity of Kat Skinner, the gathering area near the cross ties now has a misting system to help everyone beat the afternoon heat.
Kat generously donated both the materials and the installation, and we couldn't be more appreciative. The system runs automatically during the hottest part of the day, creating a much more comfortable place for boarders to visit, horses to relax nearby, and yes... even our barn cats have figured out where the cool spot is.
Thank you again, Kat, for making the ranch just a little more enjoyable during those hot summer afternoons.
A Healthier Pond
The pond has received plenty of attention this summer as well.
After three treatments, we successfully cleared the current growth of aquatic fern from the pond. Keeping the pond healthy is an ongoing process, but it's rewarding to see clear water again and know we're heading into another season with one less thing to battle.
Summer Water Tank Cleaning
One project that rarely gets noticed until it's finished is our annual summer power washing of every horse water tank.
Clean water is one of the simplest, yet most important parts of keeping horses healthy during hot weather. Throughout the summer, each tank is thoroughly cleaned to remove buildup and keep drinking water fresh during the hottest months of the year.
It's one of those jobs that takes a lot of time but pays off every single day.
š§ Fun Facts About Horse Care & Health
Summer heat brings a unique set of challenges for horses, making hydration one of the most important topics this time of year.
Most horses lose a surprising amount of water and electrolytes through sweat, even during moderate exercise. Fresh, clean water should always be available, and many horses benefit from additional salt or electrolyte supplementation during periods of extreme heat or heavy work. Every horse is different, so it's always a good idea to work with your veterinarian to determine what's appropriate for your horse's workload and individual needs.
Watch for reduced drinking, unusually dark urine, excessive fatigue, tacky gums, or changes in sweating. Concerns about dehydration or electrolyte use should be discussed with your veterinarian, especially for older horses, hard workers, and horses with medical conditions.
If you'd like to learn more, these two articles provide excellent information.
Keeping Horses Healthy During Hot Weather
Electrolyte Supplementation During Hot Weather
ā ļø Safety Issues & Reminders
Summer brings plenty of sunshine, but it also brings a few extra things for all of us to keep in mind.
Catio Umbrellas
Please remember to lower the umbrellas whenever you're finished using the catio.
Not only can afternoon winds damage them, but opening or closing a large umbrella next to a horse can be surprisingly spooky. Taking an extra moment to make sure horses are clear before raising or lowering an umbrella helps keep everyone safe.
New Misters
If you've heard a soft hiss coming from the catio this summer, don't worry... it's just our new misting system doing its job.
The misters automatically begin running around 2:00 each afternoon to help cool the area during the hottest part of the day. While most horses adjust quickly, some may need a little time to get comfortable with the sound and the mist itself. If you're riding or hand walking nearby, simply give your horse a chance to investigate and become familiar with them.
Fire Season
ā¢ Keep your trailer serviced, accessible, and ready to leave
ā¢ Email Laura (Laura@EmeraldHillsRanch.com) with all dates you will be away from the area
ā¢ Use email rather than text or verbal notice
ā¢ Confirm that your evacuation assignment remains accurate
Preparation today makes all the difference if tomorrow ever brings an emergency.
šø Photos of the Month
Summer is one of the most beautiful times of year around Emerald Hills Ranch, and this season gave us plenty of moments worth capturing.
This month's photo collection includes:
As always, if you've captured a great photo around the ranch, we'd love to see it. Future newsletters will continue featuring photos submitted by our boarders, so don't hesitate to send your favorites to Laura.
š¼ļø Cartoon of the Month
A little laughter always makes chores easier.
š¬ Final Thoughts
Summer asks a little more from everyone. The horses need closer attention during the heat, the pastures require constant water and maintenance, and fire preparation stays in the back of our minds even on the quietest days.
It also gives us some of the best moments of the year. Long evenings at the barn, horses grazing against golden hills, cooler rides after sunset, and the daily comedy taking place in the gelding pasture.
Take your time when you visit. Sit in the catio after your ride, enjoy the view from the arena, and give your horse an extra scratch or cookie before heading home. Ranch life moves quickly, but the quiet moments are usually the ones we remember.
Stay cool, stay aware, and enjoy the rest of summer at Emerald Hills Ranch.
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