The
horses make an irreplaceable contribution to the unique qualities
of the Mountain View Ranch. They're simply
wonderful animals—willing, responsive, gentle, and kind.
Many guests ask us for "the gentle one," and our honest
response is that they're all gentle. We take great pride
in the quality and care of our horses. Their health and
happiness are our priority, and it shows. Our horses treat
us and our guests with the same respect that we give them.
Poco:
a handsome black and white registered paint gelding
is an absolute sweetheart with a kind and mellow soul.
His temperment makes him a pleasure on the trail. He
usually takes the nervous rider, because he's so laid
back.
Tuffy:
A cute pure black registered paint gelding is a Ranch
favorite, because of his adorable face and sweet disposition.
Cheyenne
is a handsome sorrel Quarter Horse gelding. He's very
friendly and responsive and great with kids and grownups.
He's also talented at untying knots and at freeing other
horses from bridles and halters by pulling them right
off their heads.
Dallas
is a regal-looking chestnut Quarter Horse gelding who
joined our family in June, 1999. He'd been badly treated
and was very shy and frightened when he first arrived.
All the wranglers love to ride him because he's so responsive,
and we've all given him extra gentling.
Dream
Bar: A sorrel registered paint mare is a joy to ride
as her trot is as smooth as glass. She has a real personality
that will warm your heart as you ride together.
Ginger,
a sweet-natured registered spotted jenny donkey, is a
trail-ride favorite of many children. She's the sister
of Jazz, another talented Long-Ear at the Ranch. Letitia's
first ride was on a donkey, and Sun Bowl Ranch stays with
tradition.
Happy
is a gray jenny donkey who, like Ginger, is a perfect
trail-ride mount for young 'uns. Happy is famous for
her braying, and she likes to express her opinions during
the instructional session before each ride.
Honey,
a pretty little chestnut Morab mare, is a true jewel.
She was Letitia's lead horse for nearly two years. She's
a delight for the experienced rider, but so gentle that
most of the time she takes care of the youngest children.
And, boy, can she go forever.
Hoochie
is a striking brown-and-white leopard Appaloosa mare.
She's a great little trooper and a pleasure for riders
of all levels. She sure does like her food, though, and
she's plump enough for two.
Jazz,
Ginger's brother, is a chocolate-brown spotted gelding
donkey. He's another gentle soul who loves to put his
head in your lap or on your shoulder. He would be quite
content to be scratched all day long.
Saqaua:
A striking and dainty registered bay paint mare is gentle
and willing to please with a kindly eye and gentle heart.
Responsive and willing she is a joy to ride.
Just
call her Leo: is a colorful registered buckskin paint
mare that's strong build allows her to carry large riders,
yet her sweet disposition often warms her to the small
riders too.
Cherokee,
a beautiful black-and-white blanket Appaloosa, has been
John's boy for over eleven years. When he first joined
us, he was skin and bones and sick with pneumonia. Now
he's a healthy and happy herd boss who enjoys getting
the others fired up in the pasture.
Smoky
and Bandit are inseparable, so we introduce them together.
Our two big boys are brothers and very devoted to each
other. Both are magnificent chestnut Belgian geldings.
Bandit weighs about 1700 pounds, and Smokey is close to
a ton. They're so talented that they not only pull the
sleigh and the wagon as a team, but often trail-ride as
well.
Sparky
is a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding with a white mane
and tail that make him awfully cute. He's truly wonderful
with kids and grownups alike. He works hard and never
complains.
Splash
is an unusually handsome white, brown, and gray Appaloosa
gelding. And what a sweetheart. We couldn't ask for better.
Salsa:
A big registered appendix chestnut mare is great on the
trail and in the ring. She has a get up and go spirit,
but is always willing to listen and please.
Fenix:
Is a big grey thouroghbred gelding who's tall stature
makes him a striking mount. He's spirited and eager to
go, but gentle and responsive - with a canter to die for.
Bikini:
is a grey registered arabian mare who is so responsive
she wears only a hackamore. She is a pleasure in the ring
and on the trail and is usually mounted by children because
of her gentle way with them.
My
Boy: is a registered sorrel paint gelding who is a sweet
and loveable mount.
Mina:
is a registered paint white mare with striking blue eyes
that will entrance all that meet her. Sweet and extroidinarily
mellow she is a joy to work with.
Big
Bob: A gorgeous registered black percheron gelding, he
pulls the sleigh in the winter and impresses riders under
saddle during the summer.
Spurs:
This handsome chestnut quarterhorse gelding is now Letitia's
sweetheart. Although older, his spirit shines and and
impresses all that watch him - especially when running
the barrels, which he does with athletic grace.
Comanche:
a chestnut blanket appaloosa gelding is always ready to
go, but his responsiveness make him a good mount for adult
or child.
Lady:
A big gorgeous bay quarterhorse mare is loved by all that
ride her. She's a pleasure on the trail and
in the ring.
Tiny and Tiny's baby Blue Eyes:: She's a big chestnut
belgian mare who got half the fall off last year when
she popped out a big paint colt with blue eyes. But
she'll be welcomed back to the trail this summer.
Cocoa:
is a handsome buckskin pony gelding who works on the trail
and in the ring with kids and even small adults.
Trigger
is a pretty chestnut mare pony who likes to work on the
trail. She's got lot's of energy and is good with children.
Mama
is almost identical to Trigger and is named for her adorable
colt. She loves being a mom and even tried to kidnap Tiny's
baby right after she had him!
Blackie
is a small black pony that is super gentle and good on
the trail and in the ring. Because of his small size he's
a favorite for pony rides.
Baby
Pony was named by Shayla and is Mama's adorable baby.
He is very sweet and gentle and lets 3 year old Shayla
lead him around. In a couple of years he will be riding
at the Ranch too.
Although
Sunny isn't a horse, he's an important member of the family.
When he's not greeting or entertaining our guests, he
often keeps the horses in line, patrols the property,
offers advice to John and Letitia, makes sure that meals
are fit for human consumption, sleeps on important furnishings
to prevent them from floating away, or otherwise makes
himself useful.
In Memory
One of
the best parts of having a Ranch is being able to
share our lives with so many wonderful horses. However,
one of the hardest parts is when they inevitably pass
on. Our horses are like family and we remember them
all with heartfelt gratitude for all the good times
and wonderful rides. So, we remember you all here
and in our hearts.
Thank you
Indian
Nixon
Woody
Aztec
Magic
Mystic
Zuni
Goldie
Kiana
Moving On
There comes a time when our
faithful horses need to retire from their strenuous summer
schedule. When that time comes we sadly, yet gladly, place
them in a special loving home - usually with a child. So,
another special Thank You to our horses that have moved on.
About
the Horses
Poco:
a handsome black and white registered paint gelding
is an absolute sweetheart with a kind and mellow soul.
His temperment makes him a pleasure on the trail. He
usually takes the nervous rider, because he's so laid
back.
Tuffy:
A cute pure black registered paint gelding is a Ranch
favorite, because of his adorable face and sweet disposition.
Dream
Bar: A sorrel registered paint mare is a joy to ride
as her trot is as smooth as glass. She has a real personality
that will warm your heart as you ride together.
Ginger,
a sweet-natured registered spotted jenny donkey, is a
trail-ride favorite of many children. She's the sister
of Jazz, another talented Long-Ear at the Ranch. Letitia's
first ride was on a donkey, and Sun Bowl Ranch stays with
tradition.
Saqaua:
A striking and dainty registered bay paint mare is gentle
and willing to please with a kindly eye and gentle heart.
Responsive and willing she is a joy to ride.
Just
call her Leo: is a colorful registered buckskin paint
mare that's strong build allows her to carry large riders,
yet her sweet disposition often warms her to the small
riders too.
Cherokee,
a beautiful black-and-white blanket Appaloosa, has been
John's boy for over eleven years. When he first joined
us, he was skin and bones and sick with pneumonia. Now
he's a healthy and happy herd boss who enjoys getting
the others fired up in the pasture.
Salsa:
A big registered appendix chestnut mare is great on the
trail and in the ring. She has a get up and go spirit,
but is always willing to listen and please.
Fenix:
Is a big grey thouroghbred gelding who's tall stature
makes him a striking mount. He's spirited and eager to
go, but gentle and responsive - with a canter to die for.
Bikini:
is a grey registered arabian mare who is so responsive
she wears only a hackamore. She is a pleasure in the ring
and on the trail and is usually mounted by children because
of her gentle way with them.
My
Boy: is a registered sorrel paint gelding who is a sweet
and loveable mount.
Mina:
is a registered paint white mare with striking blue eyes
that will entrance all that meet her. Sweet and extroidinarily
mellow she is a joy to work with.
Big
Bob: A gorgeous registered black percheron gelding, he
pulls the sleigh in the winter and impresses riders under
saddle during the summer.
Spurs:
This handsome chestnut quarterhorse gelding is now Letitia's
sweetheart. Although older, his spirit shines and and
impresses all that watch him - especially when running
the barrels, which he does with athletic grace.
Comanche:
a chestnut blanket appaloosa gelding is always ready to
go, but his responsiveness make him a good mount for adult
or child. 
Lady:
A big gorgeous bay quarterhorse mare is loved by all that
ride her. She's a pleasure on the trail and 
Cocoa:
is a handsome buckskin pony gelding who works on the trail
and in the ring with kids and even small adults.
Trigger
is a pretty chestnut mare pony who likes to work on the
trail. She's got lot's of energy and is good with children.
Mama
is almost identical to Trigger and is named for her adorable
colt. She loves being a mom and even tried to kidnap Tiny's
baby right after she had him!
Blackie
is a small black pony that is super gentle and good on
the trail and in the ring. Because of his small size he's
a favorite for pony rides.
Baby
Pony was named by Shayla and is Mama's adorable baby.
He is very sweet and gentle and lets 3 year old Shayla
lead him around. In a couple of years he will be riding
at the Ranch too.
