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Dude Ranch Staff Horse Bios

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



Name : Annie
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Chestnut Leopard Appaloosa
Birth Year: 2001
Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate
Comments: Alpha mare and has the attitude to match, so she needs a rider who can handle her attitude. Watch for soreness on her sides and back as she is prone to stomach ulcers. Can be used for confident beginners if necessary.

Name: VelvetHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback Riding Colorado, Trail Rides, Horseback Trail rides
Sex: Mare
Color and Marking: Dapple Gray
Birth Year: 2002
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate
Comments: Very sweet. Extremely well-trained and can be steered entirely by your legs. Was kicked in the head as a foal so her eyes are a little crooked and she’s missing a tooth – bits can slide into the slot where the tooth should be and cause pain/discomfort so she MUST stay in a hack. Has a habit of tossing her head. Needs a guest to tell her what to do.

Name: Little Joe
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Palomino, LH/RH pasterns
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.

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Name: Jim the MuleHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding, Trail riding near Fort Collins
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Grey
Birth Year: 2001
Mule 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.


Name: ClydeHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado

Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay Tobiano, blaze
Birth Year: 2006
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.


Name: BooneHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Dun Tobiano with 4 stockings/socks
Birth Year: 2013
Horse 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 ring 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.



Name: S’mores

Sex: Mare

Color & Markings:

Birth Year: ’09

Size:

Rider Size

Rider Skill:

Comments: Purchased April 2023.

 


Name: RangerRanger - dude ranch trail ride horse

Sex: Geld

Color & Markings:

Birth Year: ’05

Size:

Rider Size

Rider Skill:

Comments: Gaited (RMT). Purchased May 2023.Ranger loves trail ridestrail ride and dude ranch horse Ranger

 

 

 

 

 




Name: Bob
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, LH/RH socks, strip/snip
Birth Year: 2012
Size: M-L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Comments: Extremely herd sour. Gets 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.


Name: BrownieHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback Riding, Trail Riding
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star&strip
Birth Year: 2002
Horse Size: XS-S
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler Only (until further notice)
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.


Name: 


Name: KingHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding, Trail Riding
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel with Large Blaze, RF Fetlock, RH stocking.
Birth Year: 2003
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler (for few first rides then to beginner most likely)
Comments:  Needs few more rides with wranglers leading and dragging before becoming a guest horse.


Name: Pendleton

Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, blaze that covers his nose/lower lip
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 2020, still likes to drag guests through trees if they can’t control him. Spooky as a lead horse, fine in the line. Does not do well with a bit, must stay in a hack. Needs a well-balanced rider.


Name: Gus
Affordable Corona Virus Safer Dude Ranch Colorado
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, blaze w/ skin flap, large scar on front right shoulder, MJ Brand, LH/RH pasterns
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.


Name: Merry Horseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding, Trail riding
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, Irregular Blaze looking like a T, RF stocking, LF LH and RH sock.
Birth Year: 2008
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler/ and Very Experienced Guest if worked consistently
Comments: Needs more time in saddle and trail before use for guests. Stays in cribbing collar because she cant stop cribbing.

  • She looks terrible in this picture – she’s put on lots of weight.

Name: RoseyHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding, Trail riding, Trail riding Colorado, Trial riding near Fort Collins
Sex: Mare
Color and Marking: Irregular Blaze looking like a 7, RF sock, LH stocking.
Birth Year: 2007
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler/ Very Experienced Guest
Comments: Can fight pretty hard at first for control 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.


Name: MajorHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trial riding Colorado
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star/irregular stripe, FR/RH/LH socks
Birth Year: 1998
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler/ Confident Guest
Comments: Purchased at auction 3/2/22. Ridden through the arena and seems calm/sturdy. Very friendly. Needs hours on the trail before we decide on a Rider Skill Level. He can start trying to go faster on trail and gets very barn sour but few more rides and he will be guest horse.

03/09/24 – Major has a grade 2 heart murmur, but shows no symptoms. He likes being with his buddies on rides. We are not using him for heavy people, long rides, or galloping.


Name: Reba
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, star/stripe/snip
Birth Year: 2003
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Wranglers ONLY
Comments: Auction purchase from 2020. We believe she was either started really late or had a lot of years off before going to auction. Very 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 a lot more time on trail and in arena to learn pressure and how to move to where the rider wants to go.


DebBrand
Name: Debbie
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Sorrel, dispersed star on face, brand on right haunches (pictured)
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 skin infection on back – no longer there but it can be treated with athlete’s foot spray if it reappears. Semi-retired.


Name: Bailey
Sex: Mare
Color and Marking: sorrel with an irregular, half-crescent star
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: L
Rider Size:L
Rider Skill Level: Experienced guests if worked consistently
Comments: Old D3 barrel horse, bought in 22′ with Bentley. Can get sore on the left hind when loping due to the scar tissue from barrel racing. Calm and sensitive when worked consistently.


Name: DiamondHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Liver Chestnut, star/snip, RH/LH socks
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.


Name: DollyHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Bay Snowflake Appaloosa, star
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: M-L
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill: Intermediate-Advanced
Comments: Hot, but good for confident riders and fun for experienced riders. Fantastic neck-reiner. Will kick the horse behind her. Needs space between her and other mares when tied or she’ll start a fight.


Dude Ranch Rocking D
Name: Charlie
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Chestnut, star, FR/RH/LH socks, “Rocking D” brand on L hindquarters
Birth Year: 2004
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S-M
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler Only (until further notice)
Comments: Extremely friendly and always looking in pockets for cookies. Purchased at auction on 3/2/22. Was demo’d at the auction by a little girl so definitely has potential to be a kids’ horse. Needs hours on the trail before summer comes.


Name: SashaHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: sorrel, LH sock/RH pastern
Birth Year: 2002
Horse Size: S
Rider Size: S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Kid’s horse, 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.


Name: Remington
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Buckskin Bay, BLM freeze brand on left side of neck
Birth Year: 2008
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M-L
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler/Experienced Guest ONLY if worked consistently
Comments: Very alert and sensitive, must earn his trust before he’ll approach you in the paddock. 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 horse if wrangler is confident, spooky if the rider is nervous. Very nice horse for a more experienced guest.


Name: Clarabelle
Sex: MareHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding, trail riding
Color and Markings: Flaxen Chestnut
Birth Year:
Horse 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.


Name: HoneyHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding Colorado, Trail riding near Fort Collins, Trail riding Colorado
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Flaxen, star
Birth Year: 1994
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: XS-S
Rider Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Clumsy and not super smart, but very sweet and well-trained. Fast walker and gaited. Needs someone with good balance, and who rides actively to keep her focused. Semi-retired, but used for kids when needed. Old scar on her back left makes it look swollen but it does not bother her.


 Name: DerbyHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback Riding, Trail Riding
Sex:Gelding
Color and Marking:  Thoroughbred, LH and RH Fetlock
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: L
Rider Size: L
Rider Skill Level: Wrangler ONLY
Comments: Good in walk but doesn’t know how to trot just full lope/gallop as soon as you ask for a little more speed, hard to stop. Can be get anxious going through large amounts of snow, and can get anxious of trees when out on trail.


Name: EclipseHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback riding, Trail riding
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Flaxen Black Chesnut
Birth Year: 2006
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Comments: Good horse on trail might try to test rider in the beginning but if rider can control her then she is very good on trail and pretty bombproof.  Needs a little more time leading.


Name: ElviraHorseback riding near Fort Collins, Horseback Riding, Trail Riding
Sex: Mare
Color and Markings: Chocolate Flaxen Chestnut, star/strip, RH/LH socks
Birth Year: 2001
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: M
Rider Skill Level: Intermediate
Comments: Buddy sour with Reba and Aine. Will sometimes refuse to leave the barn at the beginning of a ride, but once you get her going she is fine. Clumsy on hills. Must wear her boots or she scrapes her fetlocks on each other. Gaited.


Name: Indigo
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Blue Roan, star
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: M
Rider Size: S
Skill Level: Beginner
Comments: Solid horse but very weak for his size, good for kids/adults under 120lbs. Check tack fit 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 ring.


Name: MouseMouseSide
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Grullo, small star
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 (saddle blankets are scary when they fall).  DO NOT TIE for the farrier (fence puller). Best for older kids and nervous adults. Can carry a lot of weight for his size.


Name: Roonie
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Red Roan, star, RH sock
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 ring.


Name: Sammy
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Red Roan paint, blaze, RH Stocking.
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.


Name: Tex
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings:Bay, blaze/greying out, RH/LH socks
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.


Name: MonteeMonty
Sex: Gelding
Color and Markings: Bay, RH/LH socks, star/snip, Clydesdale
Birth Year: 2005
Horse Size: XL
Rider Size: 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. Reflects the rider’s attitude. Good lead horse. Also will try to eat on trail a lot taking advantage of rider if rider does not pick up head.