• If you believe in doing what is best for your horse rather than what is more convenient for you...then this website will interest you.
• If you are not afraid to think outside the box ...then this website will assist you.
• If you are interested in equine nutrition... this website will get you started in the right direction.
• If you have a horse with Navicular, Insulin Resistance (IR), Cushing's disease (PPID) or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) our experiences may assist you in better management of these conditions.

Shotgun Ranch is a two-acre ranchette located in Waddell, Arizona, approximately 20 miles west of Phoenix.  While I know that two acres may not seem like much,  when you have had to board your horses for over 18 years, your very own two acres seems like a little slice of heaven. In our two little acres we have managed to squeeze in two irrigated pastures, a lighted riding arena and a mare motel equipped with misters for the hot Arizona summers.

All our equids have issues, so our feeding & care practices may seem complicated to most horseowners. And I have to admit sometimes I feel like we are running an equine nursing care center but I'm grateful that we have the facilities & resources to provide these beautiful animals with the individualized treatment & care they deserve.
 In over 30 years of horsekeeping we have learned that the care of our equine friends is a never-ending learning process and we are constantly learning & improving our horsekeeping practices.

While I am a natural horse care advocate, I also know that at times there is no substitute for  modern medicine and technology. Not to utilize the benefits of progress and modern technology in my opinion is closed minded. There is no reason why eastern and western medicine can't be used concurrently. We can try and provide our horses with a natural environment, but bottom line is that we are still dealing with domesticated horses; more often than not, horses that come from a long line of domesticated horses. Our horses don't have the instincts, the genetic immunity and natural hardiness that their wild ancestors did. Furthermore, wild horses aren't exposed to the man made diseases that our horses are exposed to; diseases and conditions that come from lack of movement, overcrowding and over-exposure to parasites. "Natural" is the buzz word of these times...but natural doesn't mean it's safe.  One needs to develop the wisdom to know when to stay natural, with herbs and natural remedies and when to turn to modern medicine or use a combination of both.

The importance of equine nutrition is vastly overlooked by most horseowners and sadly many conditions are caused and/or exacerbated by inadequate nutrition. Needless to say, equine nutrition has become one of my passions, or as my husband calls it, my "obsession".

I sincerely hope your visit to our website is of some benefit to you and your four-legged friends.