Since the 1870's it was important to the Ybarra family to preserve their history. It was clear to Luis & Sinopa that their heritage was being threatened. Luis already experienced it as a child, when their family left Texas. And now he was seeing it again with the Native American tribes he considered family.
While Ybarra Ranch is a cattle ranch, they would be nothing without their horses. As horses were being seized by the US Military, the Ybarra family began to buy as many as they could, and provide shelter to a number of others.
Many horses went unclaimed, others eventually found their family again. Those that did not, remained on the ranch and were added to their breeding operation. The cross breeding to other Tribal Ponies diluted the bloodline, but reinforced the desired characteristics, as well as added a variety of colors.
Mare pulled off of BLM property due to drought and starvation
As ranching change, so did the horse, and the Colonial Spanish Horse began to dwindle for one reason or another. In the last 30 years it has almost entirely been due to removal.
Recognizing the important history and unique bloodlines in these horses, the Ybarra Ranch began taking on small family bands that were faced with removal. Some of the horses would stay the rest of their lives to continue their bloodline, while others would be trained and used as part of the education program. It was at this time the business split, and the Ybarra Ranch would manage the crops and cattle, while the newly formed Big Sky Ranch would manage the Colonial Horse Program.
Typically the ranch takes in horses with high Spanish origin, or a unique trait that is at risk of being diluted. But on several occasions Big Sky Ranch and the BLM have worked together to remove and care for Mustangs that would not survive on their own.
Providing for the horses
Big Sky Guest Ranch
While traditionally a cattle opperation, they were not as large as they used to be. Ther is currently a small herd of historic spanish cattle residing on the property, along with some steers being raised for beef and a couple of dairy cows. The cattle have their own pasture during winter time, so they are not competing for food with the horses. The large area of land that was once used for feeding over 1,000 head of cattle during winter, has been sectioned off and leased to other farmers, with a small portion of the land being used to provide additional food for our animals.
The horses are rather hardy and need little vetinary attention, with the occasional farrier to look at thei hooves. That largest expense is the purchasing of these horses from the BLM and the expensies that come with travling and educating. To help off-set the monthly cost, Big Sky Ranch began building a Guest Ranch for people to come and have a vacation. The Guest Ranch has been such a success Big Sky Ranch has been able to donate to other conservation programs around the US and Canada.