Slight Detour: A Visit to Ravenwood

Twelve years ago, I visited Ravenwood Arabians in Ronan, Mont., for the first time.

I'll never forget the outdoor mall-like setting that day.

Owner Jane Bohn had arranged to have what must have been a couple of dozen Egyptian Arabian mares and foals lined up in individual stock pens for us to view.

Twas just like walking past several display windows alive with active little noses with fuzzy whiskers reaching through the railings while moms stood watching over them.

In one case, a little soft brown nose kept attracting my attention, introducing itself, extending itself right into my hands, seemingly announcing, "I'm yours."

I kept coming back to that display window.

Each time I got the same message: this little guy had chosen me as his person.

So, by the end of the visit, I chose him, made a downpayment and, later, went back with my sisters to pick him up and bring him home.

While Ravenwood Mokadot aka Lefty had chosen me that day, Ravenwood DuninStyle aka Dusty chose my sister Barbara.

The two little babies came home together with Lefty screaming all the way down HWY 200.

Twelve years later, Lefty is still a screamer!

In Dusty's case, need I say "the rest is history"?

With years of TLC and training, he has gone on to be a National Champion trail horse with his beloved Barbara aboard.

Lefty has pretty much hung around the Lovestead, but he has had his moments in the local spotlight, thanks to a young lady down the road named Terra.

Over the past three years, she and Lefty have teamed up for some great successes in 4-H and even an open horse show.

I kinda think that when I'm not looking, Lefty occasionally sticks his pretty little nostrils into Terra's ear and whispers, "I'm yours too!"

He does love Terra!

Well, since the days of little Dusty and his sidekick Lefty, several Ravenwood horses have come west to their new homes and to loving peeps here in the area.

Four of our six siblings also own their own Ravenwood beloveds.

Also, I've made several trips with sisters and friends to Ravenwood and have even succumbed once more to an "I'm yours moment," with the purchase of CB two years ago.

We've all had lots of fun with our pretty horses from Ronan, and, after yet another trip over that way yesterday with my sister Barbara, one more baby will be coming this way once he's old enough to be weaned.

Little Vinny aka Ravenwood Invincible was born over the weekend. This little solid buckskin is a full brother to Dusty and to my brother Kevin's horse Lucky.

Before leaving for Ronan yesterday, Bill warned me not to take my purse. I assured him that there were no worries this time as we have "no more room at the inn" here at the Lovestead.

While others talked horses, I walked around looking at horses and at the myriad of other animals which pop up when you least suspect it on Jane's ranch.

It's always fun. Yesterday was no exception.

Plus, I kept my checkbook intact, settling for just bringing home photos of the sights around Ravenwood.

Hope you enjoy.