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A horse of a different color
  
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LEE JUILLERAT
DAVIS CREEK — Chincoteague ponies and American Bashkir Curly and Gypsy horses aren’t well-known horse breeds, but the unusual is the norm for Gretchen Stribling.
Stribling is raising what might be termed boutique horses at her family’s historic 50-acre ranch south of Lakeview near Modoc County’s Davis Creek. The unusual breeds reflect her desire to ride and work with horses that claim unique heritages, are pretty to look at and gentle to ride.
The Chincoteagues are a historic mustang breed that lived on Assateague, a remote island off Maryland and Virginia, since Spanish galleons crashed in the 17th century or earlier.
Curly horses were considered sacred by Sioux and Crow Indians, and, because they are hypoallergenic, are suitable for horse lovers allergic to horses.
Gypsy horses are the small SUVs of working horses, draft horses smaller than Belgiums, colored like large pintos and regarded as a sign of pride and wealth among gypsies in the United Kingdom.
“I’m into draft horses but they’re so big,” explained Stribling, who stands a bit more than 5-feet tall. “I needed something shorter that would be a good driving and riding horse. These are hardy, strong horses and you can ride the stew off them.”
Breeding and raising horses is a part-time job for Stribling, who with her husband, Ken, owns and operates Gretch-Ken Industries in Lakeview. Their business manufactures sound isolation booths and acoustic products. Evenings and days off are spent at the ranch working horses.
The ranch, originally homesteaded in the mid- to late-1800s, is known as the Stribling Ranch but the horse business is called Lucky Charm Ranch.
“I think we’re probably one of the last homesteaded ranches that’s still in the same family,” Ken said.
Stribling’s interest in horses and specialty breeds started in Alabama. She was born and raised in Dothan, a town in the southeast corner of Alabama — “We call it LA, lower Alabama,” she quipped.
She grew up with horses, and with an entrepreneurial spirit. That evidenced when she and Ken lived in the Bend area, where she helped create the acoustical booths. The couple relocated to the ranch last year to assist his recently widowed father, Ed. Since then, Ken has spent his off-work hours rebuilding barns and corrals while Gretchen focuses on the horses.
Helping hands
At Lakeview and at the ranch, the Striblings are assisted by Rachel Thompson. Thompson is office manager at the Lakeview business, and she and her daughter, Hannah, train and ride horses at the ranch.
The herd size, which fluctuates as horses are sold or born, includes 15 gypsy horses, a single Curly and a lone Chincoteague.
Residents in Lake and Modoc counties have seen Stribling and her horses at parades. So far, they’ve collected a set of trophies, including first place honors for the bareback and carriage divisions at the Irish Days Parade in Lakeview.
The parades give her a chance to show off her horses and, she hopes, increase regional interest in her business. But Stribling admits the horses are a “labor of love,” and her love for horses is obvious, whether talking excitedly about her different breeds or cuddling up for hugs and kisses.
And she thrives in her environment.
“I love the mountains so much, and I love riding and driving our surrey. How often do I ride— Stribling asked rhetorically. “Any day I want to.”
DAVIS CREEK — Chincoteague ponies and American Bashkir Curly and Gypsy horses aren’t well-known horse breeds, but the unusual is the norm for Gretchen Stribling.
Stribling is raising what might be termed boutique horses at her family’s historic 50-acre ranch south of Lakeview near Modoc County’s Davis Creek. The unusual breeds reflect her desire to ride and work with horses that claim unique heritages, are pretty to look at and gentle to ride.
The Chincoteagues are a historic mustang breed that lived on Assateague, a remote island off Maryland and Virginia, since Spanish galleons crashed in the 17th century or earlier.
Curly horses were considered sacred by Sioux and Crow Indians, and, because they are hypoallergenic, are suitable for horse lovers allergic to horses.
Gypsy horses are the small SUVs of working horses, draft horses smaller than Belgiums, colored like large pintos and regarded as a sign of pride and wealth among gypsies in the United Kingdom.
“I’m into draft horses but they’re so big,” explained Stribling, who stands a bit more than 5-feet tall. “I needed something shorter that would be a good driving and riding horse. These are hardy, strong horses and you can ride the stew off them.”
Breeding and raising horses is a part-time job for Stribling, who with her husband, Ken, owns and operates Gretch-Ken Industries in Lakeview. Their business manufactures sound isolation booths and acoustic products. Evenings and days off are spent at the ranch working horses.
The ranch, originally homesteaded in the mid- to late-1800s, is known as the Stribling Ranch but the horse business is called Lucky Charm Ranch.
“I think we’re probably one of the last homesteaded ranches that’s still in the same family,” Ken said.
Stribling’s interest in horses and specialty breeds started in Alabama. She was born and raised in Dothan, a town in the southeast corner of Alabama — “We call it LA, lower Alabama,” she quipped.
She grew up with horses, and with an entrepreneurial spirit. That evidenced when she and Ken lived in the Bend area, where she helped create the acoustical booths. The couple relocated to the ranch last year to assist his recently widowed father, Ed. Since then, Ken has spent his off-work hours rebuilding barns and corrals while Gretchen focuses on the horses.
Helping hands
At Lakeview and at the ranch, the Striblings are assisted by Rachel Thompson. Thompson is office manager at the Lakeview business, and she and her daughter, Hannah, train and ride horses at the ranch.
The herd size, which fluctuates as horses are sold or born, includes 15 gypsy horses, a single Curly and a lone Chincoteague.
Residents in Lake and Modoc counties have seen Stribling and her horses at parades. So far, they’ve collected a set of trophies, including first place honors for the bareback and carriage divisions at the Irish Days Parade in Lakeview.
The parades give her a chance to show off her horses and, she hopes, increase regional interest in her business. But Stribling admits the horses are a “labor of love,” and her love for horses is obvious, whether talking excitedly about her different breeds or cuddling up for hugs and kisses.
And she thrives in her environment.
“I love the mountains so much, and I love riding and driving our surrey. How often do I ride— Stribling asked rhetorically. “Any day I want to.”
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Carla wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:25 AM: