We are a small family owned and operated Paint Quarter Horse ranch. Our breeding program is carried out on 160 acres located on Sidley Mountain in British Columbia. We are glad to live in Canada’s only desert. There is definitely a warm welcome for you here. Although we are new to breeding Paint Quarter Horse, we are not new to raising horses. There are three generations living on this old ranch .
Our family has worked hard to live by simple principles demanding of us our best effort at everything we do. To the Brouwer family, our best always means integrity, honesty and fairness in all we do- in short having our priorities straight -- centered on caring human relationships.
To us having our priorities straight means that people are ALWAYS more important than money or horses. Consequently, we strive to treat others the way we want to be treated. It seems the golden rule seems to have been lost in a sea of "good" salesmanship. We are surrounded by what the old timers use to call “Snake Oil” salesmen.
Our family still believes 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 Brouwer Ranch still try our best to live up to this perhaps "antiquated" ideal.
It has been said, “To ride a horse is to borrow freedom”. How true that is. Yet anyone who cares for horses knows there are freedoms found in grooming your horse or even in mucking out the stalls.
Although there are times when horse owning seems to be one of the most thankless and expensive hobbies known to man, you can’t beat the rush you feel when your horse runs to meet you. There is nothing quite like looking out across the pasture to see a herd of paint horses grazing in the summer sun. Or the sound of rolling thunder as the herd races to the water hole.
We will endeavor to raise quality Paint Quarter Horses because we know they make great ranch/family horses. We are focusing primarily on Foundation blood lines, because in our opinion these lines tend to produce great ranch/family horses. We select our mares and stallions for quiet dispositions, sound athletic minds, and strong healthy bodies all the characteristics that made the Foundation line an American legend.
Unlike larger horse facilities where a single horse may simply become part of a collective, our horses remain as individuals to us. Each one has there own unique personality. I tailor each program to each horse, depending on their personality and talents. I believe in a close bond between horse and rider, and therefore I would be more than happy to you involved in your horse’s training. So much more can be learned when horse and rider go through the levels together.
Our horses get turned out to pasture weekly, so they are free to be how they naturally are. 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.
We attempt to work with our foals early on (no imprint training) just the basics; ferrier, tying, brushing. Our babies are then let to roam our 160 acre ranch, where they are schooled by the older horses. As yearlings we begin the ground work and if we keep them to the ages of 2-4, breaking begins. Each horse's breaking program is dependant on its level of development.
Since we're committed to raising ranch/family horses in this time of economic uncertainty, we know that our costs need to be kept down at the same time endeavoring to keep the quality of our horses up. Based on current prices, (quality feed, veterinary, farrier and stallion fees) plus about 50.00 per month for our labor there is a hopeful "profit' of $300.00 per yearling! With these rather dismal "profit" figures, its evident that raising ranch/family horses is no get rich quick scheme! Our horses will sell from $800.00 and up.
So, we can honestly say 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 - it is certainly do-able! Finally, whenever you do decide to buy your horse, we here at Eagles Nest Ranch hope you give our Quarter Horse Paints a serious consideration. Even if you just want to stop in and sit a spell, have a coffee and "talk horses, please do!
We have several horse that no longer fit our program. We are looking to place some in good homes others are for sale or trade. Please call us if you have any interest in one or all of the following:
