FEBRUARY 1995 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 2/1/95; 10:00:00 AM.
Facility Spotlight: REINBEAU RANCH
For this month's Spotlight Horse Previews visited Janet Franklin at Reinbeau Ranch in the Spokane Valley. This ranch is the largest breeding facility that I have visited and one of the most prolific in the area, delivering 112 foals in 1994 sired by their three stallions. The Franklins own 22 acres and lease another 135 acres.The Franklin's stallions will breed to about 20 of their own mares and 80-100 outside mares this year. With this many horses on the ranch, they go through about 4-1/2 tons of hay per week! They have already sold six foals for this year that aren't even born yet. "We're real busy during breeding season." Janet said. "Delivering over a hundred foals means you're going to have some long nights at times. We've had as many as six foals arrive in one day!" Janet's five stallions for 1995 include Merry Go Rambler, a 28 years old Tennesse Walker; Hot Spot, a tovero Tennessee Walker from Illinois; Blackhills Gold, a buckskin Tennessee Walker; Quinto Joe, a black and white Appaloosa; and Makin Whoopie, a black and white Paint stallion and a strong black and white producer.
Reinbeau Ranch specializes in "color and comfort" Janet said. "Color" refers to the strong color producers of their black and white stallions. "Comfort" refers to the gaited trot of the Tennessee Walker. The horses don't bounce along like other horses; they shuffle. Most of her foals go on to become "somebody's best friend."
Janet's ranch is one of the first facilities in the area that is specializing in artificial insemination (AI). Their new 40x96x20' barn was still under construction when I visited. This big new barn will house their new AI lab once it is completed in a few months. The lab will allow their stallions to service many more mares than would otherwise be possible. One of the main goals of horse breeding is to bring in outside blood. Reinbeau Ranch ships semen from their stallions all over the country. While it may not be practical to transport a stallion all the way to Florida, it is very economical to send semen that far. It is usually sent live-cooled, not frozen, since horse semen does not freeze as well as bull semen. The live-cooled semen is only viable for 48 hours. It is usually transported via Federal Express or shipped counter-to-counter on commercial airlines. Janet attended a two week course at Colorado State University, one of the leading institutions in AI research for horses, to learn all about artificial insemination. Colorado State has hundreds of horses available for students to practice their techniques.
Many breeds still do not recognize horses bred through artificial insemination. The Internation Arabian Horse Association (IAHA) was the first club to allow AI and contributed grants to Colorado State University for AI research on Arabians. The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) has just started to allow transported semen in 1995 for Appaloosas.
Reinbeau Ranch also provides a feed and tack store for their customers. They carry English and Western saddles and Totem feeds. With the store in the barn, they can provide good value due to their low overhead.
For more information, call Janet Franklin at 509-921-1345 or visit Reinbeau Ranch, located at 3815 N. Campbell Rd., Otis Orchards, Washington, 99207. Horses are always available for sale and inquiries are welcome.
Scott Larson, Exchange Publishing
