Philosophy
When Ranch owner Tanii Carr got her first horse, she didn't know much about what
she was getting herself into. Like many first-time horse owners, she relied on
people with more experience to guide her on how to properly
care for her new equine friend. However. she soon discovered that the more she
knew, the more questions she had.
"How
come horses needs shoes, when they've survived for millions of years without
them?"
"Which is easier for horses to digest: alfalfa or grass hay?"
"If pulling on a bit is the way to stop a horse, how come my friend's horse
ran away with her
even though she was pulling on the reins with all her might?"
At some point, she knew enough about the basics that she could exercise judgment
when faced with new information. If something didn't make sense, she continued
to ask questions until she was satisfied with the answers.
Au Natural versus Reality
At first enamored with the idea of doing everything “au natural,” she had to face
the reality that domesticated horses, with rare exception, do not lead natural
lives. Wild horses eat a variety of foods, walk 15-20 miles a day in search of
water while naturally wearing down their hooves, live in the company of other
horses, live outdoors in all kinds of weather, and never get ridden.
Domesticated horses wear saddles, get ridden, eat once or twice a day, have to
put up with flies, confined spaces, separated from other horses and, if they’re
lucky, get out to move around a couple of times a week. They are also not shot at,
chased by helicopters and rounded up for dog food, or left to die from what would otherwise be recoverable
injuries.
Factually, there are benefits to both the wild-horse and domesticated-horse
models. I believe that life would be very sad indeed without the horse-human
relationship, and not just for the human! Anyone who has ever seen a horse
gently put its head, with eyes closed, to a person’s chest and seen the
smile on that person’s face knows what I’m talking about.
Melody Oaks Protocols—The Best of Both Worlds
This desire to provide the best possible environment and lifestyle for her own
horses (and eventually for those horses in her care) led Tanii to explore and
study all aspects of horse care—including complementary equine practices—the
culmination of which have come to be known as the Melody Oaks Protocols now
practiced at the Ranch.
...Non-Toxic Environment
Every effort is made to purchase and use materials and substances that are not
toxic to people, horses, or the environment in general. For example, our
fly-deterrant system consists of a combination of products and methods that are
effective, yet non-hazardous.
Additionally, all hoses are fitted with water filters to help lessen contaminents
and the taste of chlorine. If chlorine is not good for human bodies, it
certainly can't be good for the body of a horse.
When shavings are used, they are only used in outside , ventilated areas—away
from food— to encourage horses to relieve themselves where fresh air can
dissipate the ammonia that is a byproduct of urine.
...Feed
Much has been said about this subject. From my personal experience, horses do
better on grass hays than they do on alfalfa. My horses are rarely sick, so
infrequently that I cannot remember the last time I had the vet out. They've
been on various grass hays for many years and I believe that this has greatly
contnributed to their overall health and well-being.
Grass hays are typically much more expensive than alfalfa. However, we do not
feed anything but various grass hays at Melody Oaks Ranch, to our own horses or
those entrusted to our care.
...Barefoot
This can be a very emotional subject for some people! To shoe or not to shoe?! I
suppose the primary reason I went to barefoot was the illogic that horses have
existed and thived on this planet for millions of years, in all kinds of weather
and over every conceivable terrain, WITHOUT SHOES! And yet the vast majority of
horses are shod.
Over the years, I've studied various methods of barefoot trimming, I've attended
clinics and workshops, read books and watched videos. I've even trimmed and
dissected cadavre hooves. When I was convinced that there were compelling
reasons to remove my horse's shoes, I did so and never went back.
Though it is not a requirement of board that one's horse be barefoot, a
knowlewdge of this subject is recommended, especially since most if not all of
the horses at the Ranch are without shoes, many of which have been barefoot for
years. (Please see the various links to barefoot websites on the Links
page.)
...Complimentary Health Care
There is no question but that horses from time to time need the care and
treatment of a licensed veterinarian. There is much good science available to
conscientious horsepeople these days, that they should take advantage of as
needed.
However, just as the demand for complementary human health care has increased in
recent years, so has the demand and need for complementary animal health and
wellness modalities: chiropractic, acupuncture, cold-laser, massage,
homeopathic, Chinese herbs, equine dentistry, etc. (See the links on this
website.)
We advocate the use of non-invasive, effective, humane, proven and ethical
practices that, along with standard veterinary care, may be able to improve the
quality of life of our beloved horse companions. It is important for horse
owners to know and acknowledge that certain alternative practices require the
presence and/or direct participation of a licensed vet. Here at the Ranch, we
use the services of several licensed veterminarians.
...Spiritual and Emotional Well-Being—a Drama-Free Zone
Life can be challening. But I doln't think most horsepeople want to bring those
challenges and problems with them to the barn. So, long ago we declared Melody
Oaks Ranch a "drama-free zone." No arguments, no emotional outbursts, no crazed
behavior, no back-stabbing, harsh criticisms, or making people and animals
wrong.
Just peace and calm in a friendly environment filled with people of like
mind who are passionate about their horses and who want to help each other to
realize their respective goals and dreams. Simple.
And here's the best part: Everyone wins! Horses are calmer and more focused.
Training is much more productive. People are smiling and laughing a lot.
Impossible goals are being realized almost daily. Some boarders have even said
that their marriages have improved and work is going much better since they
brought their horses here!
Wow!
...Education and Training
There is no questions but that knowledge allows one to make better choices. We do
not believe that there is any benefit to withholding information. We also don't
believe that people are stupid or can't understand what's presented to them. We
therefore encourse a habit of continuing education. Toward that end, we make
information available to our boarders and their friends through books, videos,
DVDs, seminars, workshops, clinics, on-site training, and through the many
websites that are available.
We are not afraid that if our boarders become more aware, they will want to
leave. On the contrary, we believe they will better understand and appreciate
the services and lifestyle we provide to them and their horses.
On the matter of training horses, there are many excellent educators out there.
However, our personal favorite are the methods advocated by Pat Parelli. Our
Ranch trainer, Paco Vela, practices natural horsemanship and works as well with
horses as he does with people—a rare combination. We encourage you to check out
his page on this website and attend his workshops and clinics.