About Us

Hello,

 I began riding horses at about 40. After a long search, I found what I thought for sure was my dream horse. I drove for hundreds of miles to pick her up, returned home and stood staring at this beautiful creature. I could already picture us riding off into the sunset together, I was sure of it!

Not having any previous riding experience or knowing how to pick the right horse for myself, I went strictly on how she looked. Given that she was lovely to look at, I thought she would be perfect. I could not have been more wrong.

After hours of reading, listening and practicing every natural horsemanship training lesson I could find, my life and my horse’s life completely changed. 

I now had a plan and some amazing tools to build a foundation and grow the relationship between us. I had no idea what an amazing connection that can be had with a horse, especially when a horse begins to look to you for direction. To have their trust and respect is truly incredible.

Living on a farm, I was able to ride in the arena or around the fields to get lots of practice under my belt. Soon I was brave enough to ride away from home by taking a trip to a local riding park. I loaded her up and away we went. It wasn't too far, a 30-minute trailer ride and we were there. As I prefer to ride bareback, I hopped on an away we went. 

Not too long into the ride, I had to hop off and visit the little girls’ room in the forest. As I did so, staring at my horse holding her reins, it was just then I realized I had no way to get back on. 

I looked around, walked a little while, sadly it wasn't as easy as I thought. To find a stump tall and close enough to my horse was nearly impossible. This was something I had not practiced or even thought of before I left. 

 I did eventually find one! Up I went and as the log was wet, I went down just as fast.  I could not believe what had just happened. Crying seemed to be the only natural thing to do. So, I did just that. 

My horse stood and stared at me like I had lost my marbles. After a few minutes, I stopped crying and pulled myself together. “I will walk for a while” I told myself and will find another stump or something I can use to get back on. 

Unfortunately, we ended up walking ALL the way back to the truck, which was a 5km walk. We did pass one man, but for the life of me, I was not about to ask a stranger (that weighed less than me) to help lift me back on my 16hh horse. Back to the trailer, home we went.

As we pulled into the driveway, I began to cry again as I saw my husband waving at me. (a bit like when kids cry when they see their mom after they fall). After a welcome home hug and a "How was your ride?" I explained to him what had happened. He then said “Hmm, you should figure something out to help you back on your horse”

That night, lying in bed, I had an epiphany! How can my horse help me get back on?  Horses are so strong. Perhaps the horse could be used somehow as a counterbalance to me. I immediately went to her stall. Running back and forth from my sewing machine testing my creations, within about a week I had created what I call Solo-Ride!

And that's about it, I never ride without my Solo-Ride. I have tossed my Solo-Ride to complete strangers on the trail, and they were thrilled at how it worked for them. 

I truly believe Solo-Ride can help any rider to get back on their horse. It may take some practice as everything with horses does, but there is nothing like the freedom of being able to get on and off anywhere!

Whether you ride bareback or with a saddle ...Solo-Ride may be your answer.

Have a great ride, Randell 💛

P.S. People ask me all the time how and why I chose the name Hairy Back Ranch…It occurred to me that almost all creatures, great and small, have hair on them, some of my dearest friends are covered in it, even if it is just stuck to their barn sweater.