Kids benefit from retired horses

Vickie Herring has a passion for horses.

"I grew up in Philomath, Oregon, and was riding horses since I could walk," she recalled. "My dad was a bull rider and my mom a rodeo queen," Herring said. I really enjoyed Gymkhana, like barrel racing and being in rodeos when I was younger."

Her passion for horses developed from a hobby into a livelihood - and eventually to a commitment to protect them. She once rescued 265 horses bound for slaughter in Canada.

Herring is the livestock manager for R&B Ranch. The ranch began operations on the site of the former Lazy Z Ranch, southeast of Sisters, in 2006. R&B Ranch owners Rick and Barbara Morrow built a horse facility to entertain family and friends, as well as train horses, all inspired by their grandchildren. They own more than 30 horses.

Herring enjoys describing each of their unique personalities, as though they are more like family than livestock. Herring especially likes to boast about four exceptionally special horses.

Doc, an American Paint; Jordan and Gator, American Quarter Horses; and Clem, a Mustang, are all over 25, retired - and love working with kids. These horses had wonderful jobs during their lives: cutting horse; working ranch horse; search-and-rescue horse; show horse.

"They are all true champions that have retired, and now they get to work with children. Mostly with the Morrow's grandchildren," said Herring.

"I brought Jordan with me and retired him to the R&B Ranch for the Morrow's grandchildren and their friends," Herring said. "He has taught several of the kids here how to hang on when working cattle. Madison Murphy, one of the grandchildren and a Sisters High School student, has learned how to work cows and run barrels with him.

"Jordan is happy with his days spent as a lead pony for the grandkids, and a safe trail horse for all the youngsters that are friends of the family."

Paint Me Dadee, aka Doc, is 25 years old and was retired to the ranch a few years ago by his owner, TK NoBear.

Doc spent a lot of years in the show world and then went on to his next career as a schooling horse and working cattle. Then he was hired on as a trail horse, while volunteering for Central Oregon Search and Rescue Team.

"Doc became the personal riding horse for Ethan Vogt, one of the Morrow's grandchildren. He has enjoyed him on trail rides, and moving cattle around," said Herring. "Doc has also been used as a backup horse when needed by the Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) to fill in for in-hand trail, barrel racing, pole bending and other events, when someone on the team needs a safe mount."

Gator, also called Peppy, was a great team-penning horse in his younger days, as well as a mountain pack horse. He also starred in an L.L Bean commercial - the very first time they had ever used horses in a photo shoot.

"Gator came to us in need of a retirement home, and since he was well-trained and really sweet, we were glad to give him a home here at the ranch," Herring said. "He has been doing really well with the kids as a lesson horse."

Clem is a retired ranch horse. He was a hard worker for many years as a true working ranch horse doing everything from gathering to roping and branding.

"Clem was given to Austin Vogt, another grandchild of the Morrow's, to restore his confidence as a horseback rider. Not only did he restore his confidence, Austin went on to compete in youth rodeos in barrel racing, goat tying and flag races," Herring said, as Clem walked over by her side.

Clem also chases calves from the roping chute and helps bring the cows into sort and change pastures.

"These four horses are doing what they love best, taking care of children in any way they can be handy, like showing the kids how to rope, ride and work cattle. They are all champions in more than one way," Herring said.