I thought I would begin sharing the story about how Longmire Ranch came to be.
I was born and raised in Kentucky and have loved horses for as long as I can remember. I lived in the city with my family (various configurations as normal these days) and no one in my close family had a farm or animals other than dogs. I must have come out talking horses because I do remember my parents going to a friend's farm and I was lead around on a horse for a short ride.
I remember passing the horse farms that were all around and I would tell people that the horses were mine but that God knew I couldn't take care of them all so he had other people taking care of them for me. Even when a cousin got a pony and I learned about other friends that owned and rode horses, I did not get to ride. It was not polite to ask and no one offered.
As I got older my mom and dad indulged me in their own ways. Mom found a stable in Lexington and Richmond that would let you come and ride for $5 an hour. That was not cheap back then. I would beg and plead and manipulate as many children do to get her to take me riding as often as I could. For his part, my dad helped me find a horse camp that was in Midway and sent me for two weeks each summer for three years. That was the best because for those weeks, a horse was mine to tack, groom and care for. I LOVED being that close to horses.
For me, I thought that is where my story would end. I loved horses and any time I was having a hard time I would just remember the smell, and feel of the horse. George from the stables and Ben from camp helped me get to sleep so many nights. Now fast forward through the rest of high school, college and getting married.
I had moved to Washington where my husband lived and we began our lives. We got jobs and had two beautiful daughters. I still dreamed of having a farm and horses but barely ever mentioned it. I did not have a goal or plan to make that dream come true. Then our youngest daughter began her love / obsession with horses as well.
She rubbed off on her older sister and soon our home was filled with horse stuffed animals, horse figurines, and books about horses. There was no quenching either of their thirst for knowledge and time with horses.
May 2004 - A co-worker, Nichole, graciously agreed to give our daughters a ride on her horse. It took a kind heart and generous spirit to do that. Her horse was not a toy, he was family. She had trained him and was a competitive barrel racer (as she still is today). Yet she agreed to give a "pony ride" to two girls who had no other opportunities.
Aug 2004 - Both girls had befriended two horses Sole and Charlie and their owner, Marta, who lived a couple of blocks from us. Sole and Charlie's owner began saving treats and watched for the girls. She would come out and turn off the electric fence so the girls would not get shocked. She taught them how to feed the treats safely and let them pet her beloved horses. Giving of her time she shared a passion and encouraged two girls to explore their dream. It is because of her love and encouragement that we began searching for lessons and found 4-H.
Sept. 2004 - During this time I started working with a group headed by Robin Peterson with a mission to begin a horse ministry based on Kim Meeder and Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. Robin had many talents, and gifts, the least of which was making connections with people. He was also a visionary and he introduced us to Kim Meeder, literally bringing her to us; as well as taking a group to her ranch in Bend, Or. When Kim came to speak to our group, I was struck by how much horses had helped me through the most difficult times in my childhood. I would visualize riding George and Ben for comfort. I wanted to be part of a group that gave that to others. Our hearts were opened. Unfortunately this group was unable to complete our goal because of liability issues and we all went separate ways. However, I never lost the passion to share with others the love, joy and strength found through horses.
Both our girls continued to show interest in horses which led us to begin taking lessons. I hadn't ridden in over 10 years but began taking lessons too. Soon we had the chance to buy a horse and my loving husband said that if we were going to get a horse it would be for me first then the girls. Little did he know what he was getting himself into.
Addy was the first horse we bought and he was a 16 hand thoroughbred born in Kentucky and from Seattle Slew. My love had been reawakened and catapulted us further down this path.
July 2006 - Having read Kim's books Hope Rising (2003) and a Bridge Called Hope (2006), our family took a trip to visit Kim and her ranch of Rescued Dreams. I had not been able to go with the group two years earlier so this was my first visit too. It was breath taking. Each of us found a piece of ourselves at the ranch. It helped us rediscover hope and to connect spiritually. My desire to bring that to others in our area was strengthened and validated because of our visit.
May 2008 - I am reminded of a picture that shows a straight line labeled the plan, and then a path of twists, turns and loops labeled the route. In May 2008 a dear friend Anita and I attended Crystal Peaks Informational Clinic for those desiring to learn how to start a similar ministry. Anita and I had met because of Marta's encouragement. She began by providing lessons for our family, then becoming our 4-H leader and becoming a part of our family. We shared a dream and went to investigate making it happen. The time together was edifying and we learned so much more than we even knew we needed to know. Unfortunately again we were not able to cross the finish line as desired. Again, however the passion and hope didn't die; it was just not the right time and place.
Oct. 2009 - Our family was blessed to be able to move to property where we could keep our horses with us. For the past 5 years we had boarded our horses and always felt incomplete being without our horses.
July 2014 - On my birthday, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and spent the next 10 months in treatment. I longed to be with our horses but did not have the energy to do more than look at them through the windows of our home.
April 2016 - The love, prayers and support from friends old and new carried me through treatment and recovery. As I began to heal I knew it was time to try again. Each time a friend came out to ride, or asked if I could help make someone's bucket list dream come true by meeting a horse; I gained strength and release from the constant pain that I now have. It is ironic that on April Fool's day of 2015 I began radiation and now on April 1, 2016 I begin this new chapter of launching Longmire Ranch. The place where the soul of a human discovers the heart of a horse and is engaged, encouraged and strengthened.