Ranch Happenings: 9/14/25-9/20/25
- Freedom Reigns Ranch
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Sunday, September 14th, 2025
"Let’s talk senior horses!
Joseph, pictured here earlier this week, is 36 years young. He is a swaybacked saddlebred who we rescued over 6 years ago, missing over 300 lbs, covered in rain rot, and infested with parasites.
He requires a special mash diet. Most of the year that consists of 2-3 meals of:
🔹5lbs Triple Crown FeedSenior (so 10-15lb daily)
🔹1 cup of Manna Pro Horse Calf Manna
🔹1 scoop of @mannaprohorse Cool Calories
🔹1 scoop of Equinity Horse XL
🔹4 oz of ground flax
Free Choice leafy orchard grass hay and 24-7 turnout to keep his system moving.
Plus his Equioxx to keep those old joints feeling good: he still is a session horse and gets mad when he’s not chosen for sessions!
As he continues to age, missing most of his top incisors, chopped hay and even soaked hay pellets/cubes will become more of a necessity. (We love Standlee Premium Western Forage Alfalfa Pellets as they absorb and mash up the best and horses seem to prefer them to other pellets. We also love Triple Crown Feed Safe Starch Chopped Forage).
He also requires quite the wardrobe of WeatherBeeta North America blankets: having a sheet with a neck cover, lite, medium, and heavy liner to keep him comfortable in the winter.
It’s a lot of management, but Joseph is happy, healthy, and vibrant with life. He keeps up with his pasture mates (Boston, 26; Cyrus, 15) when they gallop around, is often the one instigating play, has no trouble rising after rest, and is always up for interacting with people.
Senior horses are NOT supposed to be thin! They require good management, a willingness to adjust feed and care protocols, and knowing what works for each individual.
If you have a senior horse and are having trouble keeping weight on them, please feel free to send us a message. We’d love to help you figure out what might help your beloved horse.🤠
Please note: if you end up trying the above feed protocol for your horse, it is important that you transition type of feed and amount increase SLOWLY over a period of weeks. If your horse has a history of founder/cushings/EMS, PSSM, or allergies there are also other important things to consider."
"Dove is continuing to heal! 🙌🏼 God clearly has some very special things for this precious mare to do in life!
Two weeks ago, we were making plans to say goodbye… today she is taking literal strides forward!
We are so grateful for the team at Equine Performax Therapy and Conditioning : Dr. Mark, Shelby, Kenleigh, Naomi, Joe, and the amazing staff who continue to fight with her and are grateful beyond words to Teresa and Evie for making it possible to give her a fighting chance! She is certainly taking it and running (well, not quite yet! 😉) with it!!
Weight gain in 10 weeks: 164lbs on hay. Intentionally slowed to keep at little weight on her feet as possible while they heal.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
"Listen in Thursday evening!
CHSA - Christian Horse Show Association
International Ranch Ministry Conference and Fellowship"
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
"It still feels like summer with temps in the 90’s this week, but we’re trying really hard to welcome in fall around here! 🍂 Special thank you to our volunteers, Kristen and Debbie, who donated and put together these beautiful decorations."
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
"A new Ranchers group learning how to safely halter and lead a…. human?🤣"
"We know Jesus can do miracles and we’re asking you to join us in praying for sweet Dove.
We will update when we have a better picture and plan, which may be several days, but she needs a miracle. She is content and at her same comfort level but is experiencing further complication."
Friday, September 19th, 2025
"Are you TEAM TURKEY or TEAM SANTA??? Is there a better way to kick off the holiday season than year's Benefit Hunter Pace and Trail Ride? It's happing a bit earlier than our tradition and we look forward to seeing you on SUNDAY, 11/23/2025 at BUTLER'S BEND in Franklin, TN as we ride out on the beautiful, historic Natchez Trace!
ENTRIES OPEN 10/1 and close 11/16 so start forming your teams and be ready to submit your entry. Ride time requests will be prioritize first completed entries in, first served.
Prizes abound for costumes, and closest to optimum time. Any discipline welcome! Lunch served and included with all entries. 100% of the proceeds benefit local nonprofit, Freedom Reigns Ranch.
We can't wait to see you in November!!!
8th Annual Christmas Hunter Pace benefitting Freedom Reigns Ranch"
"SOS!!! 🆘 It’s time to Shop our Surplus!!!
So many amazing folks have donated track to help us raise funds for the Ranch and we’d love to have you come by. No reasonable offer refused! And what’s better is 100% supports Freedom Reigns Ranch.
Come and stock up on horse supplies, find a new piece of tack, grab a blanket for the winter, and know you’re supporting a great cause doing so.
**EMAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TIME TO SHOP on a Thursdays 2-7pm, Fridays 10am-12pm, Saturdays 10am-11am or 2pm-4pm! YOU MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT!**
No holds or shipping.
Venmo, cash, and card accepted."
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
"Having families from HopeKids come out for an afternoon of lighthearted fun at Freedom Reigns Ranch is always a highlight!
Experiencing joy in the face of dealing with a life-threatening condition is something that can be hard-fought but never seems to be a challenge for the time these precious kiddos get to be on the back of one of our beloved horses."
Comments