My name is Tammy. I own and live at Canyon Creek Farm, a ranch that I built from the ground up. I am pleased to say that I personally take care of the ranch and all it's animals. It has been a long term dream of mine to be able to have this option. Animal care and farming, are very hard work, heartbreaking at times - but also very rewarding.
I guess you could say that I am now getting back to my "roots". I moved to California from Kentucky in 1984, and was happy to be able to work in Burbank (TV/Film Industry) go to school, and keep my horses at the Equestrian Center nearby. It was good because I could go by on my lunch break or after work and see my horses. It was bad, because if I couldn't make it, I felt guilty and my horses stood in a 12 x 12 stall all day with their heads in the corner. Turnout time was limited and I was always rushed.
Having been in the saddle and around horses since I was 2, I knew that this was not a great place for my horses to be, but it was convenient for me. I moved from one boarding stable to the next looking for THE place but no matter how much extra I payed, my horses were never cared for in the manor that I expected. I have to tell you I have never seen or heard of a "pipe coral" or a "hay cube", and in Kentucky we do not feed straight alfalfa. I have experienced first hand and through my friends, all types of colic ranging from sand to stones and a multitude of other unexplainable illness, that I might attribute to improper feeding, improper feeding techniques and confined animals.
My background
Where I was raised, horses were a lifestyle for many. Growing up, I worked on many thoroughbred breeding farms, and assisted with raising babies from the weanling to yearling stage to be sold at the Keeneland Sales each year. As a teenager, I spent my summers working at the Big 10 Quarter Horse Farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky. My job was caring for the famous 5 time world champion AQHA cutting horse, Cutter Bill and son Bill's Cutter during the heavy breeding season. I trained with Helen Crabtree in my younger days of Saddlebreds. I raced my horse in the Oxmoor Steeplechase as a nine year old and won two years in a row - flat races only but we won! I lived and breathed horses -and I stlll do! I have many fond memories growing up in Kentucky. I miss the Bluegrass State, but I have made a life as close as I could to that, here in Southern California. Yes, mind you, there are differences, like the average rainfall and the abundance of natural grass and trees, to name a few... but we have nicer weather and lots of sunshine, and some real cowboys, I saw one at the market last week!
My Philosophy
In Kentucky our horses always have a place to roam. It is natural for horses to be in a herd. I bought 5 acres and put in acre pastures with shelters so that my horses could have that freedom. I built a big barn with stalls so that they can have a safe place from the weather, but at no time are they ever confined to the stall for any more than necessary. Even daily turnout in the rain is good for a stretch and a buck.
My feeding has changed over the years, as a result of what I have seen and studied. For years, I fed grain hays but now have moved to grass mixes. The first choice being orchard, then timothy, or a mixture of grass (not bermuda) supplemented with a tad of alfalfa. I was pleased to read that studies conducted at UC Davis now prove that orchard/alfalfa (70/30 or 60/40) blends are the best hays for horses. When feeding this blend, I have noticed that my horses drink more water, need less supplements and keep their weight nicely. When my hay is able to be purchased in large quantities, I have it analyzed. The calcium/phosphorus/magnisium levels are very important to monitor and I can adjust my feeding program accordingly. I feed a very high quality base feed, and supplement with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as digestive enzymes and oils, but unless necessary, that is all. I believe in feeding psyllium one week per month. Now that I am involved in herd management, I believe in preventative medicines and will supplement with herbs and homeopathic treatments as opposed to harsh antibiotics or drugs when I have that option.
It is necessary to monitor the water intake, therefore I do not use automatic waters. I use plain salt blocks and mineral salt blocks so that horses have a choice of what they need. I have had good success with my program. My clients always notice the good condition of their animals and I take pride in keeping the animals in my care healthy with preventative maintenance and constant monitoring. You will find that the horses here, are well cared for, calm and happy. You can also trust that I will care for your animals as if they were my own. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me anytime. Since starting the rescue I have made the commitment to feed all the horses in my care the very same high end diet. It sounds crazy to a lot of people when the costs are considered, but I feel that my continued education in nutrition is one of the advantages that I have and therefore something that I will not deny to any animal here at Canyon Creek. It is preventative maintenance as well as preventative medicine.
Orchard Grass Hay
Orchard grass & the Orchard grass/alfalfa mixes were developed by the U.C.Davis university in their feeds & feeding program, strictly for the horse industry.
These are products that have both a mixture of protein & good fiber, which proves to be very palatable for horses. This is a more natural feed for the horse's digestive system. This hay has excellent characteristics for storage because it does not invite rodent damage. Unfortunately Orchard Grass is an expensive and hard to locate hay. I have often times had to import truck loads from as far away as Oregon, as most of the hay produced in California is straight alfalfa. Currently Canyon Creek Farm buys hay by the truck load every 6-8 weeks.
Tammy and Kelly Pony
One of my greatest memories was the time, I spent riding each and every weekend with my father who took me to the riding stables. This is a photo of me on Kelly Pony that I leased at Indian Hills Riding Club as a child of 7. I learned a lot on that pony and my father was soon talked into buying me a horse of my own shortly afterwards. The good stable manager had a long talk with Dad about how I could own several horses after adding up all the expenses we had invested in our weekend rides and lessons. Soon afterwards I was the proud owner of a Apple Jack, a quarter arab cross. Thank you Dad, you are no longer with me, but I think you are still helping me in someway continue to achieve my horsey dreams!
Horse #2 an American Saddlebred Filly!
After many years spent riding and showing AppleJack in Western pleasure, barrels, pole bending, and English classes, Dad was talked into buying horse property and horse number 2. Jay's Commander Girl, aka "JJ" was a Wing Commander Grand daughter. I was now 12 and JJ was purchased as a yearling. After all my saddle seat lessons my father thought that I was ready to own and train another horse. This is a photo of me and JJ at our home in Kentucky. We had many successful years and I did train my horse. We rode in Saddle Seat Pleasure classes. It was my dream to bring JJ to California when I moved to Los Angeles go to school in 1984. Unfortunately my parents did not think I was able to afford her hauling and board so they decided to sell her. I was heartbroken and horseless, but only for two weeks. I took a job and purchased another horse. A weanling Arab colt that I could board close to my apartment and train when he had grown. His name was Razz and owing him was part of the reason that Canyon Creek Farm came to be.
Horse #2 an American Saddlebred Filly!
