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Horses
The
program's greatest asset....the four legged therapists. The
horses of
B.O.K.
are considered service animals, such as a seeing-eye dog,
police horse, or police dog. Unlike a typical riding barn
which is centered and focused on the horses, the B.O.K.
Ranch is centered and focused on the people it serves. The
very special horses that live here are extremely powerful
tools to reach so many individual lives on a daily basis. It
is the belief and philosophy of The B.O.K. Ranch that if the
horses receive great care that they will in turn take great
care of the riders.
To become a BOK Ranch riding horse is no easy feat. Every
horse that is fully accepted into the program must first go
through a rigorous testing process. This involves
temperament testing, movement and soundness checks, barn
visits, interviews with people who know the horse, and
veterinary checks.
Every horse that lives in the B.O.K. Ranch barn has an
individual owner. Every owner is ultimately responsible for
the wellbeing and overall care of their horse(s). While in
the care of the BOK Ranch, the program maintains all of the
day to day care and upkeep of the horses.
Do you have a horse that you are interested in selling or
donating to the BOK Ranch? Click
here
to view an equine criteria test put out by the American
Hippotherapy Association. If your horse scores well on this
test, we would love to talk to you! Please contact the
office at (650) 366-2265.
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Idgie
Threadgoode,
"Idgie", is by far one of the most trustworthy horses
that has crossed B.O.K. Ranch’s path. Her resume in the
therapeutic riding world is very impressive. Idgie is a
18 year old Quarter Horse Mare who has a unique blue
eye. Although Idgie protests being put away in her
paddock she couldn’t possibly enjoy going out for rides
any more than she already does. If given the choice Miss
Idgie would be walking around the horse park day and
night. Idgie spent many years as a therapeutic riding
horse for an East Bay riding center before becoming the
carriage driving horse for the Fremont school for the
blind. Since Idgie’s drivers had visual impairments she
relied on the instructors voice commands to navigate her
way. Idgie will be the center of the B.O.K. Ranch
therapeutic driving program as well as a riding horse. |
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Idgie needs a sponsor -
click here to learn how to sponsor her! |
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What
a CUTIE! B.O.K. Ranch couldn’t be happier about once
again owning a Fjord. Nellik is a 10 year old Norwegian
Fjord mare, who is proudly owned by B.O.K.’s founder,
Ann Kulchin. Nellik’s mother was used as a therapeutic
riding horse and her disposition was so good, her owners
decided to breed her. The result…Nellik. In Norwegian,
the name Nellik means Pink Carnation. Miss Nellik now
has a brand new bright pink halter and lead rope to go
along with her name and her bubbly personality. Nellik
has a very broad base, sturdy frame, tremendous
strength, and fluid movements, this makes her an ideal
mount for many of B.O.K.’s children and adult riders
alike. Nellik’s favorite past times are eating and
hanging out with friends. She can easily fit into any
herd situation, adapting easily to any new situation
that is put in front of her. |
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To learn more about Fjords,
visit the
NFHR
website.
Nellik
is sponsored by Ann Kulchin. |
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Stanley is a 13 year old Welsh and Quarter
Horse cross. He is a sweet guy who loves to be loved. Stanley is always
first in line when it’s time to pass out carrots and cookies. Stanley
was born in Petaluma and begun his training in a jumpers show barn. His
next move was to Gilroy where he had a very best friend, a miniature
donkey named Casey. He was eventually purchased by his current owner,
Melissa. During his time with Melissa they would visit the Horse Park at
Woodside for hunter pace and cross country events. Stanley has spent the
last several years of his life as a pet and trail horse. He enjoys
romping around out in the cross country field and taking long naps
during the day. Stanley is a great addition to the BOK Ranch line up,
his specialty is teaching young riders to post the trot. He is very
patient and very willing to help his riders in any way he can. |
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Stanley needs
a sponsor - click here to learn how to
sponsor him! |
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Ribbons
‘n Bows,
aka “Pinto”, is one of the newest members of the BOK team. Pinto is a 9
year old Oldenburg Mare (German Warmblood). She’s a big girl at 16’2
with pinto coloring. She was born in California, but came to us from
Missouri, where she was living on a farm with her father, Rainbow, a
famous German stallion, and her mom and siblings. She excels at three
day eventing and is currently competing at Training level, with plans to
go Prelim next show season. She is also working on her fourth level
dressage moves. Pinto is super sensitive to her riders and tries hard
to take good care of them. Pinto is always happiest eating . If she
can’t be eating then she’s happy to take you out in cross country field
or on a trail ride, especially if she can go fast. She adores being
loved on by children. |
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Pinto is
sponsored by
Maurisa Sommersfield. |
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Montana is an 18 year old, half Quarter Horse, half
Clydesdale gelding. He was born at the Running M Ranch
in Montana. He has an “M” brand on his right shoulder
from his birth place. Montana was originally bred to be
a carriage horse, but his breeders decided he was to
colorful and trained him to be a riding horse instead.
He has had experiences in many different genres of
riding, including: roping, dressage, hunting, jumping,
driving, vaulting, and is Parelli trained. Montana loves
hugs and kisses and his best friend is Chase. |
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Montana is
sponsored by
Boardwark Chevrolet, Nissan, Volkswagen, Lotus, Mazda &
Bayport Plaza LLC. |
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Chase is a 15 year old, half Thoroughbred, half
Clydesdale gelding. Chase is not an American native, he
moved to the states from his birth place in Canada as a
youngster, where he was known as the Gentle Giant. Chase
is a big horse with a lot of heart who is always very
eager to please his riders. Chase is Parelli trained,
played in the Los Altos Hunt, and has worked through his
1st level dressage tests. Chase is always first in line
when it’s time to pass out treats, his favorite food is
carrots and his best friend is Montana. |
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Chase is
sponsored by
Boardwark Chevrolet, Nissan, Volkswagen, Lotus, Mazda &
Bayport Plaza LLC. |
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Little Buck is a 14 year old Shetland Pony. He is
currently the smallest horse in the BOK barn, at 11.2
hands. Although Buck is originally from the Mendocino
area he moved to the La Honda area three years ago when
he was purchased as a gift for his owners 8th birthday.
With his owner, Karlie, he has done several parades and
run barrels in 2 rodeos. His favorite season is summer
because he gets to spend extra time with Karlie and he
gets to have his favorite treat, watermelon! |
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Little Buck needs a sponsor -
click here to learn how to
sponsor him! |
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‘Over the Moon’ otherwise known as Megan and known as
Sweet Megan to those who know and love her is a 23 year
old New Zealand Warmblood. Megan moved from New Zealand
to the United States as a young horse and has spent much
of her life jumping. Megan is known for being very smart
and having a very kind heart. She can always be counted
on to know how her rider is feeling and she always does
her best to take care of her passengers. Megan seems to
also be able to tell time, she never lets her owner
forget when it is lunch time. She also gives kisses to
her human friends who she has bonded with. |
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Megan needs a sponsor -
click here to learn how to sponsor her! |
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Twilight was born in a pasture in Oroville, Ca. on April
29, 2004. She is half Arab and half Appaloosa. She has
had just one owner her entire life and has been trained
for dressage, trail and pleasure. Twilight was named for
her spots, because when she was born a little girl who
came to see the new baby horse said she looked like the
stars! She loves treats and grazing!! She is very
friendly and sweet and will always do her best. She is
loved very much. These days, when Twilight isn't
munching on treats, she is helping riders learn to steer
and stop and practice the posting trot. Twilight's
sturdy frame makes her a very versatile horse, since she
is short enough for children to feel comfortable on, yet
still plenty strong enough to carry adults. |
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Twilight needs a sponsor -
click here to learn how to sponsor her! |
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Introducing
Atti and Harvey, the latest additions to the BOK Ranch
family. These rescued miniature horses were named after
two influential “right fighters” Atticus Finch and
Harvey Milk.
Not a lot is known about Atti and Harvey except that
they came from an abandoned breeding farm in the North
Bay, they were stallions up until this month, they are
probably in their mid-twenties, they have had virtually
no veterinary or farrier care, and they are both really
lucky to be getting a second chance at life at the BOK
Ranch.
It
isn’t going to be all fun and games for them, since all
the BOK Ranch horses have jobs; these two will be no
exception. BOK is starting 2 new programs this winter.
One is for seniors who live in assisted living and
nursing care facilities and the other is a Mommy and Me
class for tiny tots with additional needs. Atti and
Harvey will be important parts of these two programs.
For people who may be very small or for people who are
limited in their mobility, a really large horse can be
intimidating. For these groups of people these two Minis
are going to be magical. |
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Harvey and Atti are
sponsored by Loretta Walter and Jasmine Haas. |
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In memoriam...
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The
end of an era.

The Norwegian Fjords Zeke and P.J. were
the founding horses of the B.O.K. Ranch
"The Boys" arrived
at B.O.K. from the same farm in Illinois in 1984. Though often
confused for brothers (all Fjords share the same markings, though their
coloring can vary), they were actually not closely related. P.J., born on
February 8, 1980, was then known as "Ryvar". Zeke, born on May 17,
1981, was "Vilar".
P.J., often considered the
more stubborn of the two,
was a good mount for "active" riders, as he had smooth gaits and ignored
unintentional leg and hand movements. Zeke, "the gentleman", was
more sensitive, with animated gaits ideal for riders needing more
stimulation.
Even as new horses joined the herd
P.J. and Zeke remained the backbone
of the program, slowing down only
slightly as they got older. It was only after over twenty years of
loyal service with B.O.K. that they retired;
P.J. traveled to Jamie's
farm in Colorado in July of 2006, and
Zeke retired a year
later to sunny Paso Robles with Leslie, rejoining Shale.
After a year and a half of
happy retirement, P.J. was sadly
put
down on December 1st, 2007, after he was
unable to recover from a sudden, severe colic.
Zeke joined
him on January 31, 2008, when he was put down following a brave battle
with a rare cancer.
They are
deeply missed. |
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