ABOUT PIIHOLO HORSES
From quarter horses and thoroughbreds to draft-crosses, Piiholo Ranch has a variety of horses and many of them have had competitive careers. The wranglers will first match a horse to each guest’s height, weight and ability, and then give a briefing about the horses along with basic horseback riding instruction at the beginning of the ride. Rides are limited to six people, ensuring that guests have a quality adventure and can easily talk one-on-one with wranglers.

HORSEMANSHIP
Natural Horsemanship embodies certain philosophical and spiritual beliefs. Our work with the horse is based on mutual respect rather than dominance; it’s a dance in which we are a trusted partner who leads the dance, rather than viewing ourselves as the dominant alpha horse.

Horses are by nature willing creatures who want to get along with us. What we perceive as “misbehavior” is actually the horse making a logical decision either for self-preservation or to obey what humans have previously, unwittingly taught him. Rather than confine or restrain the horse to the correct action only, using natural horsemanship methods enables the horse to choose between multiple options, in which the right choice is easy and the wrong choice is difficult, without using force. The rider should be sensitive to the horse, use the lightest possible signals, set it up for him to figure out, and then give him a chance to work through it. The reward is the release of pressure as soon as the horse shows a “try” in the right direction.

Horses are highly sensitive animals, their ability to hear and see are far more superior to humans. They can feel a fly land anywhere on their body and are able to shake it off using the muscles under their skin. Their eyesight is monocular so they can focus on two different scenes at one time. Horses can also see well in the dark.

Horses, by nature, are prey animals that fear humans, considered predators. It is important for us all to learn how horses “speak” with one another, and learn how to communicate with them. Only then can the horse be free to offer its highest compliment: giving itself without fear.

There are a number of gifted horseman and woman who work with horses in this natural way. Two of the founding fathers of Natural Horsemanship are the late Bill and Tom Dorrance – many of the top clinicians today have learned from them: Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Curt Pate and Julie Goodnight are all top hands.

	HORSE OF THE MONTH - "GRIZZ" This here is Grizz, he’s a Belgian/Quarter cross. If you’re a football player or just look like one chances are you’ll probably ride Grizz. Grizz came to us from Canada in 2003. He’s now 6 years old. His beautiful blonde mane wilL turn strawberry blonde from the red dirt if we don’t keep it clean. We sometimes call him “Fabio”. He has a smooth trot and a thundering lope, you can feel the ground shake when he goes by. He’s also very crafty at untying himself and has been know to steal a bite of his neighbors food. Grizz knows his size and can sometimes be a bully with the other horses. He’s a gentle giant though. Little girls fall in love with his teddy bear looks and often request to ride him. Grizz’s pasture mates are Clyde, Muffin and sometimes the smallest horse in our herd Dino.