We are Rowdy & Casey!
We are Rowdy & Casey... We both grew up riding horses and have enjoyed having them apart of our lives. We met in 4-H and have known each other for practically our entire lives and in fact our parents have known each other for more than four decades. We are married with a daughter named Cydnee; we call her Cyd. Cyd, being only 2 years old is already experiencing the joys of having her own horse and riding with her dad daily on our adopted horse Hopper (the horse no one could ride.... now being ridden by a 2 year old). We all grew up in Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River where we loved to ride the horses 6 miles down the highway to the river to ride in the sand along the water.
Now this colorless and paperless horse is loved by most because at just 2 years old we would ride her bareback with no hesitation down the highway with cars, trucks, and motorcycles zipping by. She loves anyone and everyone and anyone and everyone can ride her. At 2 years old she was a one of a kind horse that is safe for all riders no matter what age or experience level.This horse changed our family and our lives forever. Since we adopted Cadence who became Casey's horse we needed a horse for Rowdy. So we adopted Hopper who was to say the least a handful. But now Hopper is a lap horse. Since then we have rescued over 125 horses that have all been trained,rehabilitated, and adopted to wonderful homes with wonderful owners.
Meet Cadence...
She was unwanted.
Meet Hopper...
He was rescued from slaughter.
Every horse that we have rescued from the sad ending of slaughter will be adopted into a home for a lifetime. We love what we do and we knew from the day we rescued 3 babies from a slaughter pen and sadly watched their mothers be sold to the meat man that this was our calling... Our Mission.
Our main goal is to train our rescued horses so that they have a chance at life. Our second important goal is to fit the right horse with the right owner; that way they will stay a matched pair for a lifetime. Our third goal is to have fun doing it!!!
UPDATE: Blue Ridge has several new permanent residents. Besides Hopper and Cadence we now have Doc, Jeannie, Yuma, Ginger and Red.
We have witnessed some really sad stories but we our so thankful for the equines that we have and will continue to save that we hope to have continued support doing what we love and saving lives one horse at a time!
Having fun at Cydnee's first show.
WE BELIEVE: A GRADE HORSE IS AS TRAINABLE AS A PAPERED HORSE...
If you are looking for a good horse check out your local rescue organizations first!!!
Adopt... Rather than Breed.
Help Save A Life By Adopting, Donating... Or Both.
We believe that a horse that is grade can live just as long, be just as healthy and be just as trainable as a horse that is bred for specific registration papers or bred for specific characteristics. We believe that a "Perfect" horse is one that is healthy, trained, and safe... Not because of expensive papers and pretty color.
Rowdy Smith & Jackie
She was rescued from slaughter.
We also believe that all horses can be trained and trained well... ALL BREEDS HAVE THEIR OWN PURPOSE! Each and every breed has been bred for a purpose and no breed is better than another... however many horse owners have a preference. It all depends on what the horse will be used for and how it is trained.
& Shelby Mine
(Shelby Is Blind)
She was unwanted.
We believe "THERE IS NO BAD HORSE" and it is 90% of the time either THE HANDLER'S/RIDER'S FAULT... Too many horses are blamed for something that is 90% of the time The Handler's/Rider's ERROR.
Cydnee Smith & Jackie
She was rescued from slaughter.