Marc Garner
Thursday 10 May 2012
Foaling Underway for 2012
If the first two foals that were born one week ago are any indication, 2012 is going to see some real beauties hit the ground. Our first two foals are both blue roan, big, strong, and already coming up to inquire about what is going on with the two legged creatures that bring hay. We have 11 more to go with foaling to continue in or about the middle of April. Check out Facebook for pictures of our latest.
Horses All Article on Rocking Heart Ranch
We feel very humbled by the fact that our ranch history was recently published in the well known magazine "Horses All" knowing that so many people on the Canadian prairies have similar stories to tell. The link to the article in the column "A breed apart" is http://issuu.com/fbcpublishing/docs/ha120401/5 and is on page 4.
Horse Prices Down in Southern Alberta
I was recently at the 2012 Perlich Auction Spring horse sale with the Canadian Quarter Horse Association and was astounded at how low well trained horses were selling for. If you are a buyer now is the time to get in on well broke stock.
As I conversed with many horse people about the benifits of becoming a member of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association I listened to Bob Perlich calling out bids on horses that were very well broke. Terrel Oler from Canyon BC at one point was standing on his saddle cracking a bull whip while his horse stood unaffected but aware of the loud noise that was right next to him. After the bull whip was put away Terrel got off his horse and took a small feather like whip and gently touched the horses front left leg. As I watched with amazement the horse layed down for the crowd. Impressive I thought to myself. Terrel should be going home with a cool $12,000 for a horse like that. When Bob was finished calling for bids the buyer was only required to pay $1500 to own a horse that most professionals would consider to be virtually "bomb proof" if there is truly such a thing.
This left the nagging question of "why are well trained horses like this selling for so little"? Perhaps you can answer this as I am afraid I have no answers for you. Perhaps it is a multitude of reasons, but never the less I would love to hear from you.
Marc
As I conversed with many horse people about the benifits of becoming a member of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association I listened to Bob Perlich calling out bids on horses that were very well broke. Terrel Oler from Canyon BC at one point was standing on his saddle cracking a bull whip while his horse stood unaffected but aware of the loud noise that was right next to him. After the bull whip was put away Terrel got off his horse and took a small feather like whip and gently touched the horses front left leg. As I watched with amazement the horse layed down for the crowd. Impressive I thought to myself. Terrel should be going home with a cool $12,000 for a horse like that. When Bob was finished calling for bids the buyer was only required to pay $1500 to own a horse that most professionals would consider to be virtually "bomb proof" if there is truly such a thing.
Marc
Thursday 1 March 2012
Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Fundraiser a great time.
RHR Guns N Zan at the 2012 Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Fundraiser
Lethbridge East MLA Bridget Pastoor and our 2011 Bay filly "RHR Playing Cooke"
Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick, Marc Garner, and Melody Garner with "RHR Playing Cooke"
Winning bidder Julie Bruder with her new stallion "RHR Guns and Zan"
On Wednesday, February 29th the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce held their annual fundraising dinner at the Coast Hotel and Convention Center. Dignitaries included MLA's Bridget Pastoor and Greg Weadick, Lethbridge College President Tracy Edwards, several city councilors and business professionals from throughout the Lethbridge Region.
Rocking Heart Ranch Ltd in an effort to raise funds, and to endorse business in Southern Alberta, donated a quarter horse weanling stallion. The winning bidder was Julie Bruder who owns and operates "Clutter No More" in Lethbridge. We would like to extend our congratulations to Julie and her sister Michelle, who purchased our 2011 Silver sorrel weanling stallion "RHR Guns N Zan" by “Guns N Pep”, for their support of the Lethbridge Chamber. “RHR Guns and Zan” descends from World Champion performance bloodlines including Silver Gun, Playgun, and Freckles Playboy. Other impressive lineage includes renowned stallions Zan Parr Bar, and Te N Te. We would also like to thank the Chamber for putting on a great night which included a superb meal and a well-organized silent and live auction.
Foaling season is right around the corner at the ranch so look for updates and pictures of our new additions in the March through May Blogs.
Thursday 26 January 2012
Rocking Heart Ranch Donating Colt to The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
Our ranch feels strongly about the importance of small business in Southern Alberta. Small business supplies jobs and bolsters our economy allowing people a higher standard of living. We are proud to be a part of small business and for this reason have decided to donate a Quarter Horse colt via live auction at the 2012 fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
The winning bidder will have the opportunity to choose between two high end colts. One is by Rocking Heart Ranch stallion Guns N Pep who is the 2008 son of AQHA World Champion rope horse (heeling) Silver Gun and the other from our former stallion Playing With Jack who is also the son of World Champion Silver Gun. The lineage is great, the colts are halter trained, load in a trailer and handle well. Rocking Heart Ranch will at the winning bidders option retain the colt until June 1 of this year to give the buyer an opportunity to make arrangements with their choice of local boarding facilities. Both horses will be on site for the auction in the parking lot of the Coast Hotel where potential bidders may evaluate them. Marc Garner will be on hand to answer questions and offer suggestions on where horses may be boarded in the Lethbridge area.
The event takes place at the Coast Hotel and Convention center with cocktails starting at 5:30pm, dinner to follow at 6:00pm with the silent and live auction to commence at 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased for $50 up to and including February 22nd. Registration is available on line at http://www.lethbridgechamber.com/contact_us/information or contact the Chamber of commerce directly for more information. This is a great opportunity to have a great night out including dinner and the chance to support our small business community in Southern Alberta. See you there!
The winning bidder will have the opportunity to choose between two high end colts. One is by Rocking Heart Ranch stallion Guns N Pep who is the 2008 son of AQHA World Champion rope horse (heeling) Silver Gun and the other from our former stallion Playing With Jack who is also the son of World Champion Silver Gun. The lineage is great, the colts are halter trained, load in a trailer and handle well. Rocking Heart Ranch will at the winning bidders option retain the colt until June 1 of this year to give the buyer an opportunity to make arrangements with their choice of local boarding facilities. Both horses will be on site for the auction in the parking lot of the Coast Hotel where potential bidders may evaluate them. Marc Garner will be on hand to answer questions and offer suggestions on where horses may be boarded in the Lethbridge area.
The event takes place at the Coast Hotel and Convention center with cocktails starting at 5:30pm, dinner to follow at 6:00pm with the silent and live auction to commence at 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased for $50 up to and including February 22nd. Registration is available on line at http://www.lethbridgechamber.com/contact_us/information or contact the Chamber of commerce directly for more information. This is a great opportunity to have a great night out including dinner and the chance to support our small business community in Southern Alberta. See you there!
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Making it easier to brand young horses
As the snow started to fly the idea of improving our horse handling equipment has become front and centre. We take pride in branding our horses as the brand itself, like it does for many other true working ranches, holds true meaning and is a sight that brings a sense pride and accomplishment.
After many hours in the shop redesigning our existing colt handling chute, I feel that I have taken it from a rough, cumbersome piece of equipment into a finely tuned, well thought out easy to use tool. As odd as it may sound I have scoured websites including those that manufacture common livestock equipment like the cattle squeeze to see if I could find any chutes that are made for handling horses only to be disappointed. When I was in Colorado this past summer, I did find one at a Livestock supply outlet that was made by Priefert for large horses but found it to lack substance, versatility, and most importantly structure making it only useful for well trained animals. But what about foals when branding time comes around in August and September? How about those yearling horses that have never been handled?
Well the chute that I have designed is called the "Young Gun" and is suitable for horses ranging in size and age from foals to yearlings that have or have not been handled or trained. It is great for branding and for use as a training aid which allows the handler a greater degree of safety when working around young excitable, sick, and/or wounded horses. No horse operation ought to be without one of these units. You can check it out at http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-Horse-Llama-chute-W0QQAdIdZ342729101.
Until next quarter, ride free and most importantly ride safe.
Link to the "Young Gun"
Marc Garner
After many hours in the shop redesigning our existing colt handling chute, I feel that I have taken it from a rough, cumbersome piece of equipment into a finely tuned, well thought out easy to use tool. As odd as it may sound I have scoured websites including those that manufacture common livestock equipment like the cattle squeeze to see if I could find any chutes that are made for handling horses only to be disappointed. When I was in Colorado this past summer, I did find one at a Livestock supply outlet that was made by Priefert for large horses but found it to lack substance, versatility, and most importantly structure making it only useful for well trained animals. But what about foals when branding time comes around in August and September? How about those yearling horses that have never been handled?
Well the chute that I have designed is called the "Young Gun" and is suitable for horses ranging in size and age from foals to yearlings that have or have not been handled or trained. It is great for branding and for use as a training aid which allows the handler a greater degree of safety when working around young excitable, sick, and/or wounded horses. No horse operation ought to be without one of these units. You can check it out at http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-Horse-Llama-chute-W0QQAdIdZ342729101.
Until next quarter, ride free and most importantly ride safe.
Link to the "Young Gun"
Marc Garner
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