Paddock Paradise Horse Boarding

The Ruby Ranch is a horse-centric boarding facility. Our systems, pasture layout, care and handling puts the horse first. At Ruby Ranch, we look to nature for inspiration and as a guide for all of the work we do. With our horse systems, we follow the Paddock Paradise Track model. When wild horses were observed in their natural environment over the course of years, it was noticed that they move in a sort of track, noting the best places for rest, finding minerals, finding forage and more. When we mimic this pattern in a domestic setting, we set up a Paddock Paradise, or track system. This encourages horses to move more, eat less grass (which is better for most horses in our lush ecosystem) and have more mental stimulation. This pasture design encourages more movement in a horse’s daily life.  Any horse can benefit from a Paddock Paradise, however, horses with cushions, hoof rehab, or metabolic challenges especially benefit. Horses that at one time needed to be in a dry lot now have a safe place to move and run. We had such great success with the horses on our first track that we decided to turn our remaining pasture into a second track. Through this track system, horses find freedom, forage and friends.

Freedom

Our horses are not kept in stalls. They are outside on the track 24/7, with access to shelter. They are free to move about the track, spend time in the woods or hang out in the loafing shed with members of their herd.

Forage

Our horses have access to hay 24/7. They are served round bales inside of netted hay bonnets. With constant access to food, they can better regulate their gut biome. When horses go more than 3 hours without forage, the excess build up of acid on an empty stomach can lead to different physical and emotional ailments. When they always have access to forage, they don’t feel as much scarcity around feeding.

Friends

When horses are allowed to be in a herd setting, they form different bonds and roles. Being herd animals, they can gain confidence and calm when they are together in this type of environment.

We also practice slow, horse led integrations when new horses come to our facility.

  • Saber Resting

  • Laneway

  • Feeding Station

  • Hillside Track Expansion

  • Looking East

  • Saber & Fizz

  • Riding Lessons

Interested in boarding your horse with us?

We have a few spots available for our Paddock Paradise track system board. Please be in touch for more information and to schedule a visit to see if our facility is a good fit for you and your horse. We do not offer pasture board at this time, but owners can turn their horses out into the inner pastures of the tracks under supervision.

In addition to our Paddock Paradise, we have a 125’ x 90’ outdoor arena. We also have a 40’ x 80’ pavilion adjacent to the outdoor arena for use during hot summer days and rainy days. We have a hacking trail around our 21 acre property. There are also miles of gravel roads that lead to a developing trail system that is accessed from our Ranch. We plan to connect to Pisgah State Forest (formerly Pisgah View Ranch) once it opens (hopefully in 2027).

In addition to 24/7 access to netted hay, our horses are fed once a day. Every horse at the Ranch eats something different. We believe that owners should be able to craft exactly what they want their horse to eat. Horses are fed in feeding pens or with feeding bags. We pride ourself in our calm and peaceful daily feeding sessions.

Each pasture has an automatic heated waterer.

We are almost full, so please be in touch if you are interested in boarding with us.

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