I joined Facebook in Jan 2013, but didn't really get active with this page until Sept. 2013. Thanks to all the great customers, mare owners, and horse friends who have Liked my page. At our ranch, we stand several nice AQHA, APHA, and ApHC stallions, offer prospects to barrel racers and performance homes, and love what we do. We strive to produce the best foals we can with great bloodlines, lots of eye appeal, and athletic ability. See our website at www.bedonna.com for lots of information. And... the Rest of the Story...
As a little girl, I grew up around horses, and was completely consumed by All Things related to horses. I eventually had my own horse (in the 2nd grade) but my Mom had no extra money to feed and care for the horse... So.. it was MY responsibility (at age 8) to work and earn money to buy Hay, Feed, and pay for Vet care, Hoof trims, etc.... and somehow I did it. After school, and weekends, I did odd jobs, mowed yards, swept roof-tops, babysat, washed windows, ... anything for a buck... and earned money to take care of my horse. My horse was my number one priority. We didn't own a horse trailer for a long time, but for Christmas one year... my grandmother bought me a small, 2-horse WW trailer. This allowed us to attend a few playdays, and horse events, and when I learned to drive... I used my Trailer to be a "Horse Taxi" for hire. During High-School... I was very active in FFA and showed lambs and turkeys, and even had the Res. Grand Champ. Turkey one year. Lots of hard work can pay off in the end. As time went by, I got another horse, and even raised a foal. I saved money, I learned how to do my own farrier work, and do basic vaccinations and worming myself. I commuted to college and continued with the horses. During college... with just 5 semesters left... I set a goal to graduate with 'Honors' which meant I had to get all A's (with a max. of 1 B) for the rest of my classes (2 1/2 years)! I had some tough classes, and somehow... I did it. I was the only one in the Agriculture Dept. who graduated with Honors that year. But, all that studying made me get tired of school, and I chose not to go to Vet School at that time, despite wanting to be a Vet. Finances were an issue too... so I went to work. After college, I got a seasonal job at Granada Equine Services (1991). There I worked my tail off, and helped at the breeding facility where they ultrasounded mares, Collected Stallions, bred A.I., did reproductive work, and even a few Embryo Transfers. I think we bred over 700 mares on the ranch that season. I worked directly under Steve Vogulsane there. He invented the non-surgical embryo transfer that was just in its early years at the time. Steve was brilliant with reproduction, and I became fascinated with the A.I. breeding process, and the benefits of A.I. , along with Ultrasounding and seeing that tiny little heartbeat on the screen! How Amazing! I loved working with the stallions too. Some of them were: Docs Oak, Sig Hanson, Shorty Lena, Runnaway Winner, Easy Dozen, This Jets Leavin, Windy Ryon, and Ronas Ryon... and more. I knew then that I would love to stand stallions and do breeding in the future. I then wanted to work for an Equine Vet, and the only one I knew of at the time was in Conroe, TX.... so I went there and applied for a job, and got it. I was a veterinary assistant there, and worked at the clinic, but also went on farm calls with the vets and Loved being a vet tech for horses. It added to my knowledge of Equine medicine, treatment of injuries, wound care, dental care, and preventative medicine... along with knowledge of conformation, lameness, and genetic disorders..... and I loved it. I would probably still be there today if I hadn't moved. Next, I worked for a Small Animal vet, and that was also very rewarding... but my passion was the horses. I trained horses on the side, and bought and sold some family/riding horses too. That was a taste of what was to come... because I was my own boss then. I moved back to Oklahoma, and worked for a Halter Horse breeding/show barn. I liked it, and learned a lot about the halter world. At this point, I was also raising a few litters of dogs to supplement my income. I really liked the dogs, and puppies, and the reward of placing them in good homes, and seeing the happiness it brought the families. This chapter in my life got bigger, and I raised dogs and horses full time for a little while. I saved every dollar I could to put toward my new property, and building a barn, and building fences, and improving my horse herd. I would save and save and save until I could make improvements, and additions. I bought my land in 2001 and started building. Gradually more has been built, and I still have plans for more improvements. Currently we have facilities to Collect stallions on a Phantom, and do our own breeding work, shipped semen, etc. on the farm. .. We are still a work in progress, but I try to stay focused, stay positive, and keep setting more goals, and hopefully inspiring young women to do the same.... Set your Goals High... and Go For It!
