Big Star Ranch, Inc.





Meet Our Horses



SONDANCE



Quarterhorse - Palomino



The leader of of herd, Sondance is the most recent member of our horse family. Sondance is a 14-year old palomino Quarterhorse gelding.


It is amazing to watch Sondance lead the herd. He "counts noses" and is constantly watching to ensure all horses are safe and within eyesight.


Sondance has a playful nature and has lots of energy. He is a favorite for our more experienced students. Our three long-term students (9+ years), really enjoy working with him.



SIERRA



Quarterhorse - Liver Chestnut



Sierra was donated to Big Star late in 2009. Born in 1994, she is a Quarterhorse mare with liver chestnut coloring. In the sun she looks like she's been sprinkled with gold flecks.


Sierra loves to have her tummy rubbed and will position herself to enable her student to give her a quick scratch at every opportunity.


Sierra is small, sweet and is a ranch favorite. Her patience and kind disposition make her a great beginner’s horse.



MAY SURPRISE



Quarterhorse - Chestnut & White



The youngest of our herd is May Surprise. Born May 1, 2010 we thought we were dreaming when we found her in Sierra’s stall! We didn't realize Sierra was pregnant when she came to us. May is a Quarterhorse mare, with beautiful chestnut and white coloring.


May is 12 years old and we have had the amazing experience of watching her grow and learn the ways of natural horsemanship.


May has grown up to be a sweet horse who is curious, yet patient like her mom.



JASMINE



Paint - Black & White



Jasmine is a registered Paint mare, born in 1993. Christina Knudsen purchased Jasmine in 1999 when Jasmine was six years old. We have really enjoyed her beauty and grace.


Jasmine is a non-riding horse, but excels in her ground skills training, responding to both words and body language.


She is patient and kind with beginners and is very intuitive. She seems to know exactly when a student is needing time with her!



BUDDY



Unknown - Palomino



Buddy is a Palomino gelding, approximately 33 years old. He became a part of our herd in 2011 when he was gifted to us from another program.


He is small in stature, but a big man on campus here at the ranch.


Buddy has won the hearts of several of our students. He is our dependable guy who knows his commands well. Due to his size and temperament, Buddy is easily approachable and is often the first "big" horse a new student gets to know.




MOLLY'S CARTOON



Mini - Brown



This is our cartoon version of our little Molly.


We love our Miss Molly.




BOBO



Mini - Brown & White



Bobo is a mini horse who joined our family in September of 2021.


He is 24 years old and has fit right in with the herd!


He loves to play with his big horse friend Sondance, and occasionally likes to flirt with Jasmine or Sierra.


Bobo is easy to spend time with. He likes taking walks and stands quietly to have his halter put on. Molly is especially happy to have someone her size to snuggle with!




MOLLY



Mini - Brown



Kind and sweet, our Mini Molly is dependable and gentle. If anyone is afraid of horses, it is Molly who can ease their fears. She is very content to stand quietly while you brush and pet her and may go to sleep while you are grooming her.


Molly also loves to kick up her heels and run with the big horses when they play in the arena together.


Molly has her place in the line-up, teaching her students that there are many options and always another choice.



Horse Angel - ZENA



Wild Mustang - Appaloosa



Our gentle giant Zena came to us in 2011 with her pal Buddy. Zena was an Appaloosa that was captured on BLM land in Oregon. She had a mustang brand underneath her mane. During her time with us, Zena transitioned from a mare who tried to hide to one who sought out affection and belly rubs from students and volunteers.


Zena had a wonderfully curious disposition, loved to have her tummy scratched and was a ranch favorite for those who wanted a quiet and dependable mount. She was often the first big horse for new students.


Our sweet girl Zena went to gallop in heaven's pastures on June 3, 2020.



Horse Angel - LANCE



Pony - Dappled Grey



Lance was a very special pony. He and Molly were best friends.


Lance worked well with our young students and got them prepared to work with the big horses. Lance thought he was a big horse and he had the personality and stubborn nature to go along with it!


We nicknamed Lance Kirby and Houdini for his knack for opening gates to get to food. He was known for going through stalls looking for any grain that may have been left behind.


Lance went to frolic in heaven's pastures on November 27, 2018.



Horse Angel - JAKE



Quarterhorse - Black with White Star



Jake was Barb's horse and was the inspiration for Big Star Ranch, Inc., as well as the model for our logo. Jake could be both playful and intuitive when giving young children special attention. He lowered his head so they could easily put on his halter and stood calmly. He was special and he won and healed many hearts.


Jake was dearly loved by grown-ups as well. He loved to hang out with them and give warm hugs. Being hugged by a horse is an experience like no other. We miss Jake's hugs!


Jake was the herd leader and it was amazing to watch him keep track of each horse, making sure they were safely in the barn at night.


Our inspirational patriarch Jake went to frolic with the angel horses in heaven's pastures on November 2, 2013.



bigstarranch@gmail.com
(503)913-8680



Big Star Ranch, Inc.