It has long been known that the bond between a man and his horse is nearly unbreakable, but until recently that bond has not been explored to find the core, the true essence.
Jim and Karen, owners of J bar K ranch, have found that ‘essence’ and offer to teach others how to develop an understanding, create an open communication and find unconditional love with their horse.
Some may say that the horse is merely an animal to be tamed, worked and ridden. However, the use of horses in horse therapy for children and adults with spectrum autism, physical handicaps and at risk youth has proven an effective tool. Learning more of what your horse, or a horse, can offer to you personally through training and working with them is J bar K ranch’s specialty.
Karen comes to the table with a plethora of horse know-how. A published author and horse trainer, Karen has spent many years in the horse industry teaching horsemanship, training horses, showing and educating. “What you use, what you say, how you use it and how you say it, is a good foundation” for beginning to understand your horse and yourself. “There is no need, ever, to break a horses spirit” when training. She applies that same principle to the owners of the horses. Pointing out that it can be overwhelming for the new horse owner if too much information is thrown at them, leaving them confused and eventually disappointed. Karen takes great steps to ease that tension, create a bond, and open the paths of communication between her, the client, and the horse.
Jim also has a history rich in equine education. Where Karen came to the equine industry with college and time in the saddle, Jim came to it by pure love of the animal. Early on Jim found himself drawn to the wilderness and the animals within. By ’77 he had moved to Kirkwood and soon thereafter became a member of the ski patrol during the winter months. Summer brought on a new delight, helping friends work with range cattle. Combining the two loves, he began a back country guide service…on horseback, bringing interest from students around the world who aspired or dreamed of being part of this horsemanship wilderness adventure. Jim has had students from as far away as Nepal and Switzerland to Argentina and Sweden.
Combining their passion, their education and their know-how, Jim and Karen have created J bar K Ranch, an equestrian facility that will teach you the finer aspects of horsemanship through education, orientation, and insight into how a horse thinks and responds to sights, sounds, feelings, and human emotions. Learn to understand what your horse is telling you; feel, timing, balance, and essence “in the moment of now.” This is not a facility that will put you on a horse’s back and say “giddy-up!” Time is an important ingredient to the success of your relationship with your horse.
Offering lessons to a variety of levels, from 10 to 12 years-old on up, the lessons are tailored to each client, to best fit their needs. Horses can be boarded at the facility making lessons and ‘joy riding’ easier and more accessible. However, horse ownership is not a requirement, as Jim and Karen have many horses from which to choose to train any level of rider. Add in over 100 hundred acres of rolling foothills at their disposal, riding through the foothills from the J bar K Ranch is an adventure just waiting. With additional trails and permits to wilderness lands in the Sierra’s, the adventure you have been seeking for you and your horse are just around the corner.
When utilizing the option to ride the backcountry (a multi day event), clients, who quickly become family, stay at Jim and Karens western outfitted home in a bed and breakfast type setting. Embracing the history of the foothills and the motherlode, their home is similar to a walk through a museum. Portraits of mentors, long since gone, hand woven native american baskets, collections of carved stones and native american artifacts adorn every wall and fill every glass enclosed shelves. Each room is themed and welcoming. The food that is served is their homegrown beef or lamb and fresh vegetables from Karen's organic garden. Jim and Karen are proud members of Calaveras Grown, raising beef and lamb...the Calaveras way.
Jim's wish ... “We want to have people come to us that want to have a true horse experience.”
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