Izabeau (9yr)

STB mare. Bay. Izabeau has been at BK Ranch for 4 years.  She has progressed well into a very nice trail horse - willing to go out on her own and paces like nobody's business - very fun to ride.  She has a definite personality and gets attached to a person rather than liking people in general.  She really has never offered to buck or do anything worrisome under saddle.  Another horse that once bonded with you is yours for life!! In northern Minnesota.

Katiebelle

Morgan mare. 14hh. Almost black. Current owner states, "She is a purebred morgan, although her feet are deformed, both the vet and farrier agree that it is because of nutritional deficiencies as a baby, not because of genetics (breeding her may be a possibility for someone). She is lovable and  VERY social.  She enjoys being groomed, being hand walked, getting bathed, and just being around people and other horses.  She is easy to lead, but needs to stay a bit further away than a regular horse, as she is prone to tripping (if she does trip she generally will stumble into your shoulder and push you out of the way--if you aren't aware she stumbles though, I can see where someone might get knocked down or at least scared.)  She is no dummy, she immediately will buddy up to the number one horse, and then guards that spot.  Before her knee started to bother her, she was making progress with her feet.  She keeps up with the other horses just fine, even when they go flying around the pasture.  The only thing she can't do is be ridden.  The vet and I had discussed breaking her to cart, and he felt she would be okay for light driving if someone chose to use her that way.  Her knee doesn't seem to be bothering her currently, we have tried to keep her on the more level pastures, and it may be that she slipped and twisted it--I am not sure. She has scaring around her ankles from a failed attempt to brace them (before she came here)."

April

Broadway Buddy

Standardbred gelding Sire: Broadway Express Bay ROAN, 15.2 hands - trained to ride Owner's grandchildren ride Buddy around on him at his home in Illinois Takes albuterol in liquid form during summer months when corn is up, but in winter shows no signs of heavy breathing. Buddy made a lot of money, and had a time of 1:56.4 like his pasture mate. He is loving and gentle - no vices. Buddy is just a sweet loving roan gelding. He is easy to handle and just kind of "goes with the flow". His cough has been evident throughout the summer months. Whoever does adopt Buddy should realize that he will need albuterol twice a day in the summer time. He loves his albuterol and swallows it down like candy! He will almost run to the gate to get it when he sees me coming! He has been ridden by grandchildren for years and is well trained. Why Buddy is still here is something I don't really know but he is a great horse for someone who wants to relax under saddle and enjoy the companionship of a horse with a quiet demeanor. UPDATE (5/22): Buddy is seasoned in giving children rides and even inexperienced adults.  Buddy is the kind of horse that when you get in the saddle he is all business and doesn't try to loiter and eat grass or just stand around.  Buddy is willing and able to take you where you want to go, and doesn't care in particular whether Rondancer is by his side or not.  Buddy has only minor respiratory problems at this time of year.  He has not been given any albuterol since February.  He does not heave - the sign that he needs his medication comes when you hear him cough.  He is in great flesh and his roan color is very flashy this time of year.  He also gave rides to both children and adults without the flutter of an eyelid recently - it is old hat to him and he needs a home where warm green grass grows instead of waiting for a home where the pasture doesn't have a chance to grow.  Please consider Ronnie and Buddy as a pair for your family!

Aaron's Favorite (9yr)

TB gelding. "Romeo" is a very handsome, kind, 16.1, JC reg., gelding (info at http://www.pedigreequery.com/aarons+favorite). He had more than $100k in winnings and is a very sturdy, well bred horse. Owner states, "He is an absolutely gorgeous guy and has a very nice disposition with good ground manners. He has been excellent on trails, completely bomb-proof, and is an easy-keeper. Romeo was "given" to us two years ago, straight off the track with an injury. He was very much off in the right front and would have been sent to "auction" if we did not take him... it was a no-brainer. The vet (who suspected bone chips in the knee) wasn't sure he would ever be rideable, but we started him on glucosamine anyway. About a year ago we noticed he looked completely sound running around in the paddock, so my daughter started riding him. He was wonderful from the beginning and hadn't had any transitional training at all! He should NOT be jumped for fear of re-injury, but should be fine for trail and pleasure riding. He does not stand to be mounted, needs work on that one and we have been lazy about it. We have only ridden him English and don't know how he would feel about neck-reining. On trails he can sometimes act a bit barn sour when he thinks it's time to go home. When he does that, we take him directly to the ring for schooling and he remembers that he shouldn't have been in such a hurry to get home; sometimes there is work waiting! We keep shoes on his front only because we go over some rocky terrain and gravel. He has good hooves and is what I think of as an old-fashioned TB- sturdy, strong, and well-built. He did cut his left rear coronary band shortly after we got him. It has completely healed but there is a very minor line visible on the hoof where it has since grown out. It is purely cosmetic and if it bothers someone, the farrier said to just put a shoe on that foot for a full hoof growth cycle and it will disappear. Romeo keeps his weight well in the winter for a TB and the only supplement he gets is glucosamine. Romeo does crib, but responds well to a cribbing strap."