Saguaro Cactus

I'm always asking the guests I ride with how much they know about the alien looking Saguaro cactus. And the answer is often "nothing" which I think is sad because they are a wonderful, interesting plant.

Their Latin name is Carnegiea Gigantica.

Their average life span is 150-175 years.

They typically grow between seal level and 4000 feet in the areas of the Sonoran Desert where freezing temperatures are minimal.

They are very slow growing - only about 1 -1.5 inches in the first 8 years of their life. They begin growing under what is know as a "nurse tree" (Ironwoods, Palo Verdes, Mesquites).
Branches/Arms do not begin to grow on a Saguaro until it is 50-75 years old. this does, however, depend on the amount of water the Saguaro is receiving.

The roots of a Saguaro are very shallow to allow it to absorb as much water as possible. After a period of rain the Saguaro will expand and look fatter - the pleats that make up its body store the water and swell. After a dry spell the Saguaro will look thinner having used up a lot of its water stores.

Sometimes there are holes in the Saguaros typically created by the Gila Woodpecker. When the Woodpecker moves out of its nest hole other birds such as Sparrows and Elf Owls will move in. Larger birds such as Harris Hawks and Red Tails will build their nests on the outside when the arm meets the trunk of the Saguaro.

We think they are amazing.

Always exciting times

It has been a while since this blog went out. And this is just a quick update one some of the happenings here at the ranch. We had a fabulous Easter, lots of guests, new and repeat, lots of fun. Michael and Kristin have adopted a new dog. His name is Ned and he is a part lab, part Shepard all the way from Kuwait. At 5 years old Ned spent nearly all of his life in a kennel. His mother was a U.S. military service dog who was denied the right to come home because she was pregnant by another service dog. shortly after Ned was born his mother died unexpectedly and he was the sole survivor of the litter. Ned was hand raised by a facility in Kuwait but they could not get him adopted out because traditionally Kuwaitis do not adopt large dogs (Ned weighs in at 75lbs). After a long journey home with flight delays and weather he made into the ranch with his handler for the journey, Phil. Phil spent about 4 days with us and Ned helping him adjust to all the sights and sounds of the ranch which we can imagine must have been pretty overwhelming for him at first. Now Phil has gone and Ned is home with all of M+K's other dogs and is settling in well.

Kristin has also found the horse she has always wanted... A Norwegian Fjord horse. A gelding named Lasse and he is from New Hampshire

Dude Ranchers Convention 2012.

It is the greatest gathering of Dude Ranching minds! For 86 years the convention has been held annually. Typically it moves locations year to year, this year it is being in Cody WY. It is a wonderful opportunity for learning, growth and discovery and also to share experiences and new ideas.



We also use the time to honor our members who have contributed to the association. This year Russell presented Bob Cote from Tanque Verde Ranch a trophy belt buckle as an award for him being entered into the Dude Rancher's hall of fame. His name now resides there with Russell and Michael's parent's names.



The Dude Rancher's Association was founded in 1926 when Ranchers, railroad officials and national park officials attended a two-day event to discuss the five objectives set forth:

1. Establish cooperation among ranchers and railroad officials
2. Discuss the transportation and proper care of guests
3. Create advertising and publicity for the association.
4. Standardize practices
5. Create an efficient sales organization

Having agreed to all five objectives, the ranchers then added a sixth - the organized protection of fish and game.

The Dude Rancher's Association is the governing body of the West's Dude Ranch industry. Created in 1926, it provides an organized structure for members, in which they are able to exchange ideas and experiences in an effort to uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. The Association promotes the western ranch vacation, while continuing to build a strong working relationship with Federal and State land agencies in order to preserve and protect parks, forests and wildlife.

White Stallion Ranch has been a member of the association since 1990 and Russell has elected as President of the Association two different times. His one of only two people to have achieved this and we are very proud of him, his service to our ranch and also to the Association.

Horse Profile, Coyote.

Coyote is Michael and Kristin's retired Rodeo horse.

He is approxamately 30 years old, and has been at White Stallion Ranch for at least 13 years.

Coyote has such an amazing history I wanted to share it with anyone who was interested. We do not often know a horse's full history so when we do, we find it pretty exciting.

He was born and raised on a Cattle Ranch on an Indian Reservation in Montana, originally raised to be a Rodeo Bucking Horse, He was so good at it he made champion in Montana for 4+ years and also for 3+ years in the All Indian Association in Montana.

They also taught him to Rope - heading/heeling/calf roping and also to be a hazing horse for Bulldogging. (see top picture)

In 1991/2 a friend of the True family, Jeff Frizzell, bought Coyote from the boy that owned him to be his personal rodeo horse. He was told "this horse will do anything but bulldog. When you jump off him he kicks and he never misses!" Jeff hauled Coyote all over the U.S. rodeoing and his wife Virginia also won a 4D barrel race on him.

Jeff and Coyote also starred in movies together; Blue Moon with Kris Kristofferson being the most renowned.

In 1999, Jeff sold Coyote to Michael as a roping horse for Kristin and he has been here ever since.

As amazing as he is (it is not often we come across a horse that displays so much talent and versitility), Coyote has earned his retirement here at the ranch and is living out the rest of his life with his best buddy Wildcat in peace and quiet.

Favourite Photo

I just wanted to share one of my latest and favourite photos taken on the Ranch. I think it captures the fun that can be had on vacation especially one where you can meet others and share your experience.

Special thanks to the Longe, Lovins and Pagett teens for starring in this moment.

Half Day Rides

In answer to a question we received...

We do still do Half Day Rides, typically on a Wednesday we go into Javelina Canyon in the Saguaro National Park. This is a fast ride, the majority of the loping is done on the ranch and then the ride passes though Lazy K and into the National Park. The canyon itself is not steep but it is rocky, the horses pick their way through boulders. It is a beautiful ride with many Saguaros and occasionally some Javelina are spotted.

The other Half Day Ride is the Perimeter Ride typically done on a Friday afternoon. This also is a fast ride. The trail stays as close as we can to the perimeter of the ranch but all the time staying on property, we go close to the Mine, close to the Saguaro National Park, and take a quick break at the wine and cheese ride site before riding home.

Both rides take approx 3 1/2 hours and are for comfortable riders.