Rusty Bar Ranch

I put 1 star only because I had to. These people are the most dishonest people you will EVER meet. Beware if your boarding your horse as they feed terrible hay, and the boarded horses are always getting out onto the road because all the fences are crap. The horses are put out with no shelter from the elements. There is so much rusty CRAP laying around that the animals can get hurt on. Kathy is part of a obstacle course association that she judges for. She is unfair in the judging if she doesn't like you.... I know as a judge she tried to get me to change my scores. Just BEWARE, and stay completely clear of these thieves!

Kathy and Ray hosted our Girl Scout troop for a day of amazing horse education and riding. I grew up riding horses and personally learned a ton that I never knew previously!

They did an amazing job of making the girls (ages 4th grade thru 6th grade) feel comfortable around the horses with demonstrations, discussions and best of all repetitive exercises that each girl did. The girls understood why their actions were important and how they had to respect the horses as much as the horses should respect them. Kathy and Ray clearly love all their horses and hearing stories about earlier abuse prior to coming to Rusty Bar backed up with pictures just made you want to weep for their beautiful horses.

All of our girls had a great time, and even the ones most terrified at first were comfortable at the end of day and were saying their good byes to their new horse friends. What most impressed me, was the completeness of the education. It wasn't just learn how to approach a horse, saddle it up and ride it. The girls learned about horse health care for their mind and body. An amazing experience that I highly recommend!

I love Rusty Bar Ranch! The ranch is clean and we'll taken care of. The staff is super friendly and kind. Cathy's teaching methods are easy to follow and brings handling horses into perspective. She is truly fair and firm so nobody gets hurt. I had a previous bad experience with a different barn and Cathy works well with me and my own hang ups.

Sandy and Angel are the lesson horses I work with and they are so sweet and healthy. Cathy really goes above and beyond for her horses and students. I don't have enough good things to say about Cathy or the Rusty Bar Ranch!

AS a person who has had horses for several decades, and has run her own professional facility, I was super hesitant to put my horses back into boarding. When I heard we were moving to WA, I began to scour locations to bring my horses. I came upon Rusty Bar, and after speaking with Kathy (the owner), I knew I was making an excellent decision. I sent my horses to her facility (sight unseen) and have been thrilled with them ever since ( year and a half ago).

The facility boasts both indoor and outdoor arenas of a generous size. They also have a round pen, a trail obstacle course, and a small series of trails on the property. Horses are turned out daily -- and all day. Stalls consist of individualized paddocks with small runs for the night.

Horses are well fed, and on a farrier, vet and deworming schedule. Proper fly maintenance is followed, and horses are rarely bothered by flies.

Other amenities include a heated viewing room, individual tack lockers and a bathroom.

I have been impressed with everything at Rusty Bar Ranch and have no complaints. For those of you in the military who might be shipping horses without being present, Kathy and Ray do an amazing job of making sure horses are set up for delivery.

FABULOUS PLACE!!!!

UPDATE (12/13/15)
We have been in TX a year and a half and my horses remain in WA. TX is not a good location for my babies. I receive updates every other week (sometimes more -- along with photos). If I feel the horses need anything, Kathy and Ray make sure it happens. The only downer -- both are complete pasture pets right now and lack muscle tone. Can't blame anyone but me for that one! Kathy and Ray will continue to keep them until our return to WA in 2 1/2 years. I trust them with keeping both my retired endurance horse and my national-level hunter show mare.

UPDATE 2/2/18
Horses are still in WA while I'm still in TX. I was in mid-September 2017 and did an unplanned pop in. Horses are still splendidly in good weight and handling. I still get updates good and bad (haven't had a bad in a long time, but one of my horses was apparently suicidal at the time). I never worry. Still recommending them.

I've been a lesson student at Rusty Bar for a few years now and I just adore her teaching methods! I had rode English hunter/jumper but was looking for a western instructor. I was excited to hear Kathy (the horse trainer / riding instructor) grew up riding hunt seat and that she sometimes shows. (I wanted to learn to Barrel race!)
She is certified both English and Western and teaches from the ground up. (First trainer I've ever met who dose that!) So all her students learn ground work, equine saftey, and how to tack up.
All her schooling horses are bombproff and are the most well trained horses in all of Washington. I've seen car alarms go off and her horse (Ally) was the only one to NOT spook! Haha!!! She has gaming horses, dressage, hunter/jumpers, pretty much anything. She also teaches how to ride with YOUR SET AND LEG!!!!!!!!
She can teach you (or your horse) anything from ground manners to trail riding to show etiquette. She's an amazing trainer and instructor who really is passionate about her horses and bettering the bond between horse and rider.
Also her husband, Ray and her hoast Birthday Parties and Girl/Boy Scout events. I've worked both and I can 100 testify that they're a blast for horse- crazy kids!


Birthday parties includ: rodeo races (with stick horses), shake hands with Ghost the mini, cart ride, and pony rides.
Scout Events: barn tour, horse anatomy gane, safety walking behind a horse (Non of Kathy's horses have EVER kicked ANYONE!!!), horse safety and learning about different breeds and colors, tacking up and leading horses, grooming, stall cleaning, cart ride, and pony rides.