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A horse strolling out the gate should be simple to fix. On our Colorado mountain ranch at 9,300 feet, it turns into a full cast production: screaming herd mates, nervous humans, and one very calm pony proving he has all the time in the world. We talk through our real off-grid morning routine, including the unglamorous details that keep horses healthy and the day moving, from early feedings and fly masks to the little choices that prevent bigger problems later.

We also break down how we feed a herd without spending the entire day throwing hay. You’ll hear why we do grain bowls (even for horses that do not “need” them), how slow feeder hay nets like hay bonnets reduce labor and support steady intake, and what we do to prevent mold with simple platforms built from pallets and plywood. We get honest about the tradeoffs too, like how the feeder design can still let rain and snow in during hard weather.

Then we shift to the week’s adventures: Marty escaping by casually walking out the gate, Fern doing her own repeat performance, and the kind of improvisation you only see on a working ranch (yes, someone used a belt to help catch a pony while also trying to keep their pants up). We close with an update on Merlin, our senior horse, including slipping in muddy conditions, using wood shavings for traction, and planning careful hoof work to keep him as comfortable and stable as possible.

If you like grounded stories about off-grid living, horse care, and the reality behind “simple” ranch days, subscribe, share this with a horse friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.