Horses

Dez

Dez is a 2008 appaloosa gelding with a kind soul who came to us from Camp War Eagle in the fall of 2024. As one of the taller horses in our herd, he can be intimidating at first, but students figure out quickly that he is a gentle giant. Since joining our herd, Dez has carried students to multiple shows and behaved like a polite gentleman. He is attentive to his rider, has beautiful gaits, and is so willing to please. He is easily a student favorite.

Marvelous

Affectionately known as “Marv,” Marvelous is a 2000 gelding that the Murrys adopted from Pine Cove Camps in the fall of 2024. Marv is a pony trapped inside a horse-sized body. He is intelligent, audacious, and asserts himself as a leader in the herd. He is the one who figures out how to open gates and will break into the barn and help himself to the feed if you’re not careful. He has helped many students earn their level 2 CHA certificates. He’s a great confidence builder and a treat to ride!

Rambler

The Murrys adopted Rambler from Pine Cove Camps in the fall of 2024. At the ripe age of 28, Rambler has decades of carrying middle-school campers at Pine Cove under his belt and is now enjoying a job as a light-duty lesson horse at 180 Ranch. Being a senior horse, he requires a bit more care and maintenance, but it’s worth the effort to make sure he feels his best. He has brought so much joy to thousands of people in his lifetime. It is a privilege to care for him now as he continues to bring joy to our students.

Tater

Tater is a 2016 red dun gelding who joined the 180 Ranch herd in April 2025. He is the biggest horse in the herd and also the most laid-back. He enjoys spending time with his herd mates, begging for snacks, and playing horse soccer. He has carried sponsor flags at Rodeo of the Ozarks and also competes in intro level dressage. He is friendly and kind with a puppy dog personality and looks to boot! Tater is a true joy.

Augie

Augie is a 2018 grade pony gelding who arrived at 180 Ranch in March 2025 as a project pony who knew next to nothing. He has quickly learned to accept the saddle and rider on his back, can stop on a dime, sidepass, leg yield, drag a sled and more. He may be a grade pony, but he’s turning out to be as fancy broke as any horse with a show pedigree. He is a great step-up horse for students as they progress through the CHA levels.

Treasure

Formerly known as “Junk,” Treasure is a 2004 grade sorrel mare who came to us from Camp War Eagle in the fall of 2025. After just one ride, Christy knew this mare wasn’t junk and started brainstorming a name that suited her better. While watching a student ride her in a lesson, Christy thought to herself, “This horse is such a treasure.” At the end of the lesson, she asked the student what she thought the horse’s new name should be, and without knowing what Christy was thinking, the student said, “I think she’s a Treasure!” And that was that.

A former playday/rodeo horse, she has been exposed to lots of sights and sounds, making her a cool, calm, collected mount for our students. She neck reins, will easily walk/trot/lope, and can stop on a dime. She has truly been an asset to our lesson program, and we are grateful to our friends at Camp War Eagle for the opportunity to add her to our herd.

Waylon and Willie

Waylon and Willie came from a thoroughbred rescue in Oklahoma. Estimated to have been born in 2022, these boys were born into a herd of abandoned, feral thoroughbreds and were thankfully rescued from a kill pen. Never raced, they were started by an experienced trainer in Oklahoma and have a solid foundation. Their training is continuing here at 180 Ranch, and they are progressing quickly. They are proving themselves to be intelligent and willing students. We don’t think it will be long before students can enjoy riding these two.

TQ

TQ was a trained cutter turned lesson horse in her retirement. The Murrys adopted her in summer 2022 and were honored to care for her in her twilight years. She had the biggest heart, best work ethic, and the most try of any horse we’ve ever owned. She was a once-in-a-lifetime horse. She was loved dearly and is missed sorely.

Yahtzee

Yahtzee was a fleabitten gray thoroughbred gelding the Murrys adopted from Pine Cove Camps in 2024. Yahtzee was among the herd under Christy’s care when she worked at Pine Cove as a barn manager, and he was a favorite of hers. Yahtzee was kind, gentle, and so willing. In the short time he was at 180 Ranch, he quickly stole the hearts of students.