Rocking T Ranch is a family owned horse facility located 10 minutes from Orange, and 30 minutes from Charlottesville. We offer board, lessons (on and off our ranch), start and re-start horses under saddle, and help resolve issues of concern. John also enjoys teaching his principles of horsemanship at clinics, (please see our clinic page for more information on hosting). He would also like to expand his teaching to the corporate world and help them with leadership development. On the ranch there is an rock dust arena (230 X 160) and a 70' round corral. There are miles of trails here, both open and wooded. Lots of hills, creeks and cattle. This year we have gained access to more land and we now have over 3,000 acres (about 8 sq miles) to cover while educating the horse. We occasionally have horses or ponies for sale. . John's teaching applies to English and Western as well as any breed of horse. Over the years, John has started Thorough Bred's for the track and restarted many off the track. He has started Quarter Horses and Paints for trail and for the show ring. There has been Arabs for competitive trail riding, and Warmbloods for jumping and dressage. John has worked with gaited horses and mustangs and even a cute little mule. If you need some one to help you with your equine partner, John is the one to call. (see our teaching page for more information) Visit our mercantile page for flags, bosal shaping blocks, art work, rope halters, mecate reins, and John's books on ground work and riding. We are currently working on a cross country course. Right now it consists of an 18" deep water crossing, a few logs, a log pile, a coop, an ascending oxer, and a novice level key hole jump. Just completed is a small bank complex. We are looking forward to finishing the installation of lights in the arena and round corral this spring. Occasionally Bull Run Hunt passes through while fox hunting, you may even see John or Tawny in the hunt field.
You can contact us any time at 540-672-2986 or email rockingt@hughes.net
Feel free to stop by when you're in the area. Happy Trails!
"BRANDY"
??- April 02
In memory of Brandy Girl. We will always love you and miss you
Rocking T Ranch
Preserving True Horsemanship
John Sanford
This page was last updated: April 2, 2008
"STREAK"
March 13 1973~January 28 2005
On January 28,2005 we said good-bye to one of our dearest friends. Streak was one of those "one in a million" horses. He safely carried our children through Pony Club, trail rides,lessons and was happy to "just hang out." He always took his job seriously and could be trusted without a doubt. Rest easy now dear friend. Your work here is done.
A very special and heart felt "Thank You" to Nicole Villers for entrusting us with this wonderful gentleman.
"Cody"
This is his first ride in John's two-rein bridle.
Holding onto the traditions of old vaqueros,
this is a path less taken.
It takes feel, timing, balance, and alot of patience.
It is done with out the use of gimmicks such as draw reins or tie downs. It is through education and refinement that you have this relaxed head position. It takes the time that it takes to get to this point in the horse's education.
We're happy to have you leave your thoughts in our guest book., and feel free to email us with your questions.
For the fella who has never seen the sun, the moon seems pretty bright
540~672~2986
Hollywood is a 5yr old TB ex-race horse. After having spent a year with a trainer, the owners were told the horse needed to be euthanized because he was dangerous undersaddle. After giving him a new home here at the ranch, John spent about 30 min doing some basic ground work with him before turning him over to Tawny. Tawny did about another half hour of groundwork both free and with the halter and he was ready for her to ride. By adjusting to fit the horse and working from where the horse is, he has done fine for Tawny. Currently, she is alternating with teaching him to jump in the arena and riding out on the trails. Look for them next year at the shows. What a great horse!
Be Humble
I would like to thank those folks who have been kind enough to send us their horses for monthly training over the last 10 yrs. As of Spring '08 I will be taking horses in for monthly training on a limited basis. I am still available for hourly work with client and horse both here and on the road. I would be happy to share what I have learned from the horse with folks in a clinic setting as well. I am going to work as a vet tech and will be starting on a 2 yr degree in Veteranary Technology.
Gracias,
John
"Lucy", a Selle Francais that John started, jumping at the HITS show in Culpeper, VA
You've got to give something you've never given, to get something you've never had
The horse is always honest.
He knows when you know, and he knows when you don't know.
Feel free to email us with your training questions, and we'll try to answer them for you.
Mistakes are part of learning.
John's first try a making chaps. These are based on an old California style.
The zippers are laced in with rawhide. The top closure has a latigo string that wraps around and ties in the front. The fringe is then folded over.
All stitching is hand stitched and fringe was cut by hand as well..
