March 1, 2011
Rush Ranch Comments Off
One of my favorite places that we visited on our trip to California this time around was Rush Ranch outside of Fairfield. My mother has a friend who volunteers every evening feeding the horses. She invited us to bring the kids to help her with the feedings. Little did I know that I would be completely be blown away by the experience. This wasn’t my first experience with feeding horses or hanging out on a ranch, I live in Texas for goodness sake, but every aspect of this beautiful place just made we wish we could have spend the entire day exploring. John has been harping about living on a ranch for our entire marriage, and this city-slicker has never been too keen on the idea. Houston is close enough to the prairie for me. I told him that if he wanted me living on a ranch, it would have to be one that is located in Point Reyes. He laughed at me of course but this time I have upped the ante and told him that if he could get Rush Ranch, then I would be in for some pioneer living. He laughed at me again, although I am think he is starting to think that he is wearing me down.
Anyway, other than the breathtaking views and the beautiful rolling hills, the Friesian horses just blew me away. Catherine, who is a horse junkie, was in complete awe and just stared at them. I think it’s the quietest I have ever seen her in her whole life. I can’t blame her. The complete majesty of this breed of horse was awe inspiring, and to be able to help feed them just added a whole level of awesomeness to the experience.
They have one particular stud horse, Apollo, that all of the lady horses just love. I fell in love with him too, I can certainly understand why a mare would want to have his baby. Many horses are brought to the ranch to be mated with him. When we were watching him in his pen, the ranch hands were bringing out to pregnant mares, and Apollo went crazy. He was galloping and bucking around. There were several times he would run full speed across his pen and I could see my life pass before my eyes because there was going to be no fence stopping him. Had I not pulled Catherine off the fence, she would have stayed there. She has no fear.
We were blessed to feed many of the horses but the best experience there was when they allowed Catherine to feel a pregnant mare’s baby horse kick in her belly. I am guessing they don’t let too many visitors do that, but being that she is super cute, she thinks she is Jessie from Toy Story, and of course our volunteer friend, they allowed her into the stall to feel the baby kick. I’m not sure she completely understood but she loved it nonetheless. We all had a chance to feel the baby kick, and I loved it too.
If you are ever out and about in Northern California, this is a little gem of a place that is absolutely worth the visit. I can’t say enough about it and I am just thrilled beyond words that we were able to see the ranch with a wonderful guide.
I have added a bunch more photos to my Flickr page.
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