By James EIK
Staff Reporter
Situated on a vast 600 acres in Airway Heights is the Busy Bee Ranch, run by Larry Beeler and his family. True to its name, the ranch seems to always have a full schedule.
Although the recent outbreak of the equine horse herpes virus slowed the number of events, the ranch's availability is quickly filling up. Up next for the ranch is a Northwest Pattern Racing Association event July 2 and 3. Nearly 40 people attend the racing events.
None of the horses at the ranch were affected by the virus.
Beeler purchased the land in the winter of 1967, and now houses 80 horses. The land initially just had a house, but has now expanded to contain two outdoor courts and one indoor court. Each horse has its own pen and its own feeder, all located outdoors.
“It's expensive to have horses in the barn,” Beeler said.
An inert landfill is also on the property, which takes wood, stone brick and other materials. Beeler separates the wood from the accepted materials to create hog fuel, which consists of chopped and ground wood.
The 80-foot-by-120-foot arena's floor is made up of tire sides. Beeler said that the material is easier on a horse's feet, and only requires some occasional watering to control dust.
Now 70 years old, Beeler has been riding horses since he was 6 years old. Even when he was stationed in Turkey with the U.S. Air Force, he rode horses in the countryside.
Beeler and his wife raised eight children, the youngest of whom graduated from Cheney High School earlier this month. Some of his children live on the property surrounding the ranch, and help with the operation.
The ranch offers riding lessons for all levels of experience, and operates daily. An initial lesson typically includes finding the right horse, and varies in length, depending on each rider.
Costs related to horse maintenance have increased over time, but the ranch has its own ways to cut costs. One way, according to Beeler, is to make their own hog fuel. The ranch also grows its own hay and creates its own soil mix made from manure.
Veterinarian fees, housing, food and shoeing costs all factor into the upkeep of a horse.
For 30 years, Beeler has been involved in the Spokane County 4-H Club. He said that 12 to 14 children are active. Participating in the program can often come at a cost for the parents of participating children, but the benefits are worth it.
“In all the years I've been doing this, the kids that have stayed in contact with their horses have never gotten in serious trouble,” he said. “The horse teaches them everything. It teaches them discipline; it teaches them a work ethic. It gives them something to be compassionate with, and the horse gives back to them.”
Between the 4-H Club and lessons, horses see an incredible amount of people. A summer youth college held at the ranch saw 40 children each day, five days a week. Beeler noted that it is no easy task for the horses.
“It takes a pretty special horse to do this,” he said. “We've raised most of them ourselves.”
Although there is competition involved, it isn't stressed.
“Our emphasis is not on winning, it's on doing,” he said.
After watching horses for his entire life, Beeler has learned the unique qualities of each breed and how to best handle them.
“There is nothing inherently evil in a horse,” he said. “If they do something, it's instinctual.”
James Eik can be reached at [email protected].
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