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| Our Breeding Philosophy |
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We are a small family owned and operated Morgan horse ranch with approximately 25 head of Morgans in our breeding program and 140 acres located in the California foothills to raise them on. Although we are relatively new to Morgans, we are neither new to raising horses nor to this rigorously challenging California ranch life. For five generations spanning over nearly a century, the Bossert family has owned and worked hard on this old ranch. Throughout the generations, our family has striven to live by simple principles demanding of us our best effort at everything we do. To the Bossert family, our best always means integrity, honesty, and fairness in all we do- in short having our priorities straight -- centered on caring human relationships. |
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Having our priorities straight means to us that people are ALWAYS more important than money or horses. Consequently, we strive to treat others the way we want to be treated. Since great grandma and grandpa Bossert founded this ranch nearly 100 years ago however, most of us know things have changed and not all for the better. It seems everywhere we turn someone is trying to sell us something without any consideration for whether what they're promoting to us is the best quality or for that matter is what we need or even want. Consequently, the golden rule seems to have been lost in a sea of "good" salesmanship. Bill and I know there are many who still remember the golden rule and no matter how trite the idea of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us may now seem, we here at Bossert Ranch still try our best to live up to this "antiquated" ideal. |
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Anyone who cares for horses knows there are times when horse owning seems to be one of the most thankless and expensive hobbies known to human kind -- Bill and I are right in there with that thought! We have found however, that Morgans are one of the few horse breeds that makes all this effort worth it. So, thankless as it may seem at times, we will continue to raise Morgans because we know they make great family horses and we have great family fun caring for our Morgans. That's why we are focusing primarily on Remount Government and Working Western Morgan lines not because they are fastest-selling-profit-makers, but because in our opinion these lines tend to produce great family and sport horses. We select our mares and stallions for quiet dispositions, sound athletic minds, and strong healthy bodies all the characteristics that made Justin Morgan an American legend. |
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Since we're committed to raising family horses, we know we've got to keep our costs down while endeavoring to keep the quality of our horses up. Based on current prices, we find it costs us approximately $2,500 - $3,500 to raise a Morgan foal from conception to weaning. These costs involve quality: nutrition, veterinary, farrier and stallion fees. If all goes well, we add about $50.00 per month for a total cost of $2,500-4,500 for weanlings which amounts to a "profit' of $600.00 - 800.00 for nearly two years work per weanling! With these rather dismal "profit" figures, its evident that raising family horses is no get rich quick and easy plan! So, when it comes to living on a tight budget all we can say is . . . we've been there and ARE doing that! We know what its like to live on a modest budget so if coming up with a big lump sum for a horse is all that's preventing you from buying a horse please don't hesitate to propose a payment schedule affordable to you. We have made payments many times on horses ourselves - its do-able! |
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Finally, wherever and whenever you do decide to buy your horse, Bill and I hope you give Morgans very serious consideration. Morgans are a great breed of horse so if you'd like to contact us even to just "talk Morgans" for a while please do! Thanks for stopping by Bossert Ranch! You're welcome back anytime!
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| Our Training Philosophy |
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Being a small, family operated business, we treat each horse as we would a member of our family. Our family believes in “keeping the priorities straight – being centered on caring human relationships.” We believe in the same with horses. I’m Jacqueline Hofer, the trainer and manager here on my family’s Morgan Horse Ranch. |
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Unlike larger horse facilities where a single horse may simply become part of a collective, my horses remain as individuals to me. I tailor each program to each horse, depending on their talents, desires and their owner’s ambitions for them. I believe in a close bond between horse and rider, and I very much like to have each owner or rider involved in their horse’s training. So much more can be learned when horse and rider go through the levels together. |
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My horses enjoy the life of being horses too. My best of show horses get turned out to pasture weekly, so they are free to be how they naturally are. I believe this not only creates a working body physically; coordination and usability, but also a well working mind; the ability to figure out problems through exposure to the natural world. |
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Between the ages of 2-4, depending on each horse’s level of development, breaking begins. Within two weeks of being on the horse, I ride them out. I get them out on the ranch, on trail, on the road and anywhere else I can take them. This develops control, trust between horse and rider and ensures the horse can carry the rider well and use himself at the same time. My younger sister, Natalie Bates, spends time with the horses also. Children are the best bomb-proofers! |
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Arena work begins thereafter, where I work on collection from the ground up. Being able to collect the horse while on the ground is equally important as being able to collect the horse on his back. My horses, when finished, move in every way. Teaching movements isn’t nearly as important as teaching the horse the fundamentals. The fundamentals make the movements happen, for example, if a horse knows to move off the leg well and collectively, the pirouette or turnaround can be asked for. Rather than teaching the straight movement, they learn the basics of every movement. My goal with horses is to have a horse fully under the control of the rider, a confident pair (horse and rider) and overall, a fun, dependable and pleasant riding horse. Sincerely, Jacqueline Hofer |
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