Three Draft Horse Myths

draft horse myths

What Are Draft Horses?

The Daft Horse is a breed of large horses. For instance one named Sampson holds the world record for the biggest horse. Old horse owners bred them to be a working animal, doing hard tasks such as plowing and other farm labor. There are several Draft breeds, like the Irish Draft, the Latvian, and the Breton. These breeds exhibit varying characteristics, but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament. These traits originally made them indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers. However, you have probably dismissed draft horses for riding because of common misconceptions associated with these breeds. The following are some myths about Draft Horses and the truths behind them.

Draft Horse Myths

  1. Riders can’t mount a Draft Horse unaided on the trail.
    This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Draft Horse. Common sense tells us that it is difficult to mount a tall horse on the trail. However, there are ways to overcome this. Start by training your draft horse to stand still while you mount. You can even train your horse to kneel, making mounting easier.
  2. Draft horses are slow.
    Uneducated riders might look at a Draft Horse and think they are genetically modified or overweight. This is not true. Yes, Draft Horses are much taller than the horses people typically ride, but they were bred that way just others are bred to be smaller. A healthy draft horse has just as much energy and is just as capable of cantering and galloping as any other breed.
  3. Draft horses are harness horses, not riding horses.
    Yes, their size makes them great harness horses. They can pull wagons and plows with ease. But don’t think they can’t be saddled up as well. Not all Draft breeds are incredibly big. Don’t forget about the Gypsy Vanner, the Norwegian Fjord, the Haflinger, and the Friesian.

For more information about Draft Horse, contact Colorado Horse Property today. If you are looking for horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors for help.

Rocky Mountain Horse Expo

Rocky-Mountain-Horse-Expo

Organized by the Colorado Horse Council, the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo is one of the biggest events of the season. Kicking off the new year, this horse event brings great equine talent, including presenters and clinicians, from all over Colorado to center stage. This year, you can join in the fun from February 28th at 8:00 am to March 1st at 5:00 pm. The 2020 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo will be held at the National Western Complex at 4655 Humboldt Street in Denver. Tickets range from $12 to $55 depending on what event you want to attend and how many people you’re bringing. Parking is about $10 per day and kids under 5 get in free.

Rocky Mountain Horse Expo Events

The Colorado Horse Council’s mission is to bring horse owners and the Colorado horse industry together. The Council does this by creating a common voice between them through legislation and education. That is really what this Horse Expo is all about. The CHC respects all breeds and is not a discipline-specific organization. It also employs a full-time contract lobbyist, who works with the State Legislature on horse and agriculture-related issues.

The 2020 Horse Expo will fill the complex with many equestrian events. The Mane Event is a family show, for instance. Parents, bring your kids to meet many breeds and disciplines of horses. Also, the equine performances for the younger audience is geared towards the beauty and capabilities of the horse. Bring your horse and ride along with the professionals in the Ride With The Experts event. Also, don’t forget about the Art in the Park event. Meet artists like Dawn Key, Cindy Harrison, and Samantha Barela. In addition, for information about the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, contact Colorado Horse Property today.

How to Prevent Barn Fires

How to Prevent Barn Fires

Winter is the best time to prepare your property for barn fires. Barn fires can be very devastating, not only to the owners but to the products and animals inside them. Take some time this January to think about what is in or around your barn that could be a risk of causing a fire. Here are a few tips when it comes to preventing barn fires.

Preventing Barn Fires

Smoking around barns is unsafe; it is also one of the most common causes of fires. Your barn and property must be smoke-free. Implement a “no-smoking” policy on your property and post signs. Enforce your policy actively. While many people cannot install sprinkler systems, everyone can and should install smoke detectors. You will need a detector that has the ability to distinguish smoke from dust. In order for your smoke detection system to really work, it must be installed by a professional who knows exactly what type to use and where to place individual detectors. Lightning is more common in some areas of the country than others. Strikes are more likely in exposed areas, particularly at high altitudes. Lightning is also common in some states such as Florida. Regardless of where you live, it is relatively simple to protect your buildings from lightning. Lighting protection consists of a rod and a grounding device.

Do not store combustible items in your barn. These include gasoline, volatile fluids, aerosols, paints, and compressed gases. If you must store these items, keep them away from people and animals in separate structures that are designated for storage. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property. If you are looking to buy a horse property in Colorado, talk to one of our premiere horse person realtors today.

Green Horsekeeping

Green Horsekeeping

Keeping horses can be very hard on the environment. In order to reduce your strain on the world around you, horse owners should practice green horsekeeping. There are many ways that keeping horses impact the land. Manure, insect sprays, and weed killers on the pasture all can play a role in contaminating local streams and waterways. Here are a few things that you can do to practice green horsekeeping and improve your impact on the world.

One of the most important parts of green horsekeeping is making sure your pasture is in good shape. That means making your pasture healthy and mud-free. Less mud means less standing water, and no more runoff that’s likely to contaminate nearby streams. If your pastures are healthy, they’re also more likely to be weed-free, with a reduced need for toxic herbicides. A single horse can produce as much as 50 pounds of manure per day. That’s nine tons a year. What you do with the manure on your farm is important when it comes to protecting the environment. Composting is an ideal solution because it improves the soil. And then there’s building on your property. Whether you’re just building your barn, are making an addition, or are simply fixing fences, the type of construction you choose is an important environmental decision. Another option to consider is a wood composite. This manmade, wood-like product is made from as much as 65-percent recycled materials, including both recycled wood and plastic.

Colorado is a great place for raising horses. Many Colorado horse properties already have the structures in places, like barns and tack rooms. This makes for an easier transition when moving and makes green horsekeeping possible. If you have questions about horse properties in Colorado, contact one of our horse person realtors today!

National Western Stock Show

National Western Stock Show

It’s that time of year again for horse lovers all over the state of Colorado to come together for The National Western Stock Show at the indoor arena on Humboldt Street in Denver. If you haven’t heard of the National Western Stock Show then you’re in for a real treat! The National Western Stock Show is a charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. It also holds the Super Bowl of livestock shows every January for about two weeks. This year, most of the events will be held from January 11-26.

What can you expect from the National Western Stock Show this year? Well, there’s the first major professional rodeo of the season for starters. Then there’s a ton of events between two and four-legged athletes, from barrel racers to mutton busters. The circuit also includes fan-favorite MLK Jr African-American Heritage Rodeo. Bringing a flair of cultural pageantry, the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza features Mexican-style bull riding, bareback riding, trick roping and Mariachis. These events are all choreographed by Jerry Diaz, a fourth-generation Mexican horseman. Perhaps the biggest event of the show is An Evening of Dancing Horses. This event brings the best equestrian talent together in front of live music from the Denver Brass.

That’s right. Altogether, this show hosts nearly 20 breeds of cattle throughout the entire event. The event includes one of the world’s richest regular-season professional rodeos, world-class equestrian shows and Colorado’s largest agricultural trade show. Historically, the show attracts more than 660,000 guests each year. If you are looking to move to Colorado, why not consider a horse property? Colorado Horse Property has over ten thousand listings all over the state of Colorado. Contact one of our horse person realtors today!

Zapata Ranch

Zapata Ranch

Zapata Ranch

Choosing a guest or dude ranch for your next vacation is a great way to reconnect with nature. Horses are proven to reduce stress levels and can add adventure to your life. Colorado is one of the best states for guest ranches and has some of the most splendid views in the country. Additionally, Mosca Colorado is a great place in Colorado for guest ranches, including Zapata Ranch.

Zapata Ranch borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. This is the newest National Park in the United States. Also, the high desert grasslands, alpine forests, wetlands, sand dunes, creeks, and lush meadows offer one of the most scenic and ecologically diverse landscapes in the United States. In addition to their livestock operation, the ranch features working ranch vacations, educational programs centered around their bison herd, and active, ambitious conservation programs aimed at preserving the surrounding land. Take it straight from the horse’s mouth. “We believe in enjoying what we do, and we believe it shows. We feel privileged to be living on the land and living from the land, and we try to share that enthusiasm with each visitor to our ranch.”

Guest Ranches in Mosca Colorado

Are you interested in one of the many guest ranches that Colorado has to offer? You can check out Zapata Ranch and many like it on our Dude and Guest Ranches page. Enjoy living with horses? Looking for you own horse property to call home? Search our site from thousands of properties in Colorado. You can even sign up for alerts and get notified whenever a new property becomes available in your area. If you need help, contact one of our premiere horse-person realtors today!

Wind River Ranch

Wind River Ranch

Wind River Ranch

Note: Colorado Horse Property does not do reservations. If you’re looking to make a reservation at Wind River Ranch, please contact them at windriverranch.com.

Choosing a guest or dude ranch for your next vacation is a great way to reconnect with nature. Horses are proven to reduce stress levels and can add adventure to your life. Colorado is one of the best states for guest ranches and has some of the most splendid views in the country. Additionally, Estes Park Colorado is a great place in Colorado for guest ranches, including Wind River Ranch. Nestled in the majestic mountains of Colorado, Wind River offers a peaceful and beautiful setting for you and your family to enjoy a restful getaway from the norm.

Wind River Ranch runs all kinds of activities. Your rate includes on-ranch activities and a wide variety of off-ranch adventures. These include excursions for folks of all ages and desires. Also, they provide endless fun, games and activities for all your our kids—from babies to teens. It offers excellent supervision and guidance from their well-trained and loving counselors. Also, for those who are seeking rest and spiritual recreation, this ranch offers a beautiful setting with quiet spaces of solitude to relax, revel in nature, or just kick back and read a book. Therefore, there is truly something for everyone at this guest ranch!

Guest Ranches in Estes Park Colorado

Are you interested in one of the many guest ranches that Colorado has to offer? You can check out Wind River Ranch and many like it on our Dude and Guest Ranches page. Enjoy living with horses? Also, are you looking for your own horse property to call home? Search our site from thousands of properties in Colorado. You can even sign up for alerts and get notified whenever a new property becomes available in your area. If you need help, contact one of our premiere horse-person realtors today!

Vista Verde Guest Ranch

Vista Verde Guest Ranch

Vista Verde Guest Ranch

Choosing a guest or dude ranch for your next vacation is a great way to reconnect with nature. Horses are proven to reduce stress levels and can add adventure to your life. Colorado is one of the best states for guest ranches and has some of the most splendid views in the country. Additionally, Steamboat Springs Colorado is a great place in Colorado for guest ranches, including Vista Verde Guest Ranch.

Vista Verde Guest Ranch has professionally trained chefs that are adept at every offering from checkered tablecloth cookouts to white tablecloth fine dining. Also, from cowboy coffee to crème brulee to what pleases the kids and what satisfies adults. Their dining experience strikes the balance between “ranchy and fancy.” This Ranch mixes it up so some meals are casual and serves a family style while others are more formal, multi-course dining events. What is the same at each meal is the high level of attention to quality, freshness and creativity. So if you have a yearning for some great dining during your vacation, Vista Verde has you covered!

Guest Ranches in Steamboat Springs Colorado

Are you interested in one of the many guest ranches that Colorado has to offer? You can check out Vista Verde Guest Ranch and many like it on our Dude and Guest Ranches page. Enjoy living with horses? Looking for you own horse property to call home? Search our site from thousands of properties in Colorado. You can even sign up for alerts and get notified whenever a new property becomes available in your area. If you need help, contact one of our premiere horse-person realtors today!

Tumbling River Ranch

Tumbling River Ranch

Tumbling River Ranch

Choosing a guest or dude ranch for your next vacation is a great way to reconnect with nature. Horses are proven to reduce stress levels and can add adventure to your life. Colorado is one of the best states for guest ranches and has some of the most splendid views in the country. Additionally, Grant Colorado is a great place in Colorado for guest ranches, including Tumbling River Ranch.

Tumbling River Ranch offers outstanding facilities, with a selection of cabins with fireplaces and private baths, and two historic lodges with spacious rooms and suites. While many of their guest cabins date back to the ranch’s beginnings in the 1940’s, you can be assured that each accommodation is spacious, comfortable and full of personal touches. Tumbling River Ranch is constantly updating and remodeling so that while you are staying in a mountain rustic cabin, you will feel all the comforts of home. One of the best features on each cabin and lodges is their outdoor spaces. Each space has their “living room” on the front porch. It is a great way to enjoy their cool evening air and beautiful mountain views.

Guest Ranches in Grant Colorado

Are you interested in one of the many guest ranches that Colorado has to offer? You can check out Tumbling River Ranch and many like it on our Dude and Guest Ranches page. Enjoy living with horses? Looking for you own horse property to call home? Search our site from thousands of properties in Colorado. You can even sign up for alerts and get notified whenever a new property becomes available in your area. If you need help, contact one of our premiere horse-person realtors today!

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Choosing a guest or dude ranch for your next vacation is a great way to reconnect with nature. Horses are proven to reduce stress levels and can add adventure to your life. Colorado is one of the best states for guest ranches and has some of the most splendid views in the country. Additionally, Loveland Colorado is a great place in Colorado for guest ranches, including Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. Sylvan Dale Ranch has a rich history. In the early 1900’s, Mr. and Mrs. Frend Neville owned a small cattle ranch at the mouth of the Big Thompson River.

Sylvan Dale has 3,200 acres of wildlife habitat, interspersed with Roosevelt National Forest. Also, the Ranch has been involved in restoration of bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and other native species to the area in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. From their start at Sylvan Dale, these animals have expanded both north and south along the mountain front. Those bighorn sheep that you see in the Narrows of the Big Thompson Canyon likely were born at Sylvan Dale.

Guest Ranches in Loveland Colorado

Are you interested in one of the many guest ranches that Colorado has to offer? You can check out Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch and many like it on our Dude and Guest Ranches page. Enjoy living with horses? Looking for you own horse property to call home? Search our site from thousands of properties in Colorado. You can even sign up for alerts and get notified whenever a new property becomes available in your area. If you need help, contact one of our premiere horse-person realtors today!