Everafter Ranch was founded in California in 2000. While a Paint stallion named Dymond came first, the focus quickly shifted to Quarter Horses because of one horse, Pete. Ranch History
An elderly buckskin gelding and former breeding stallion, Pete was purchased as a riding horse for the family's beginners. Once Pam rode him in an impromptu show and won the daily high Point, things started to happen. Pedigree research led Pam to a ritzy Buckskin auction in Arizona at Horsebreakers Unlimited. Always keeping an open mind at auctions, surprises happened that shaped the future of Everafter Ranch and eventually made it what it is today. The two mares who ended up forming the basis of the original herd were a red dun High Brow Hickory daughter named Donnas Hickory and a big grullo mare named Wheeling Minnie. It was Minnie who got Pam hooked on the difficult-to-produce grullo color. Over time, the herd expanded to a total of around 40 Quarter Horses, including two breeding stallions.
The Shetlands began in a roundabout way. Shetland stallion Hootie was originally purchasd as a teaser. Then we needed a mare to keep him happy. Before long, the ranch had approximately 25 Shetlands, including one of the greatest ASPC stallions of all time, Scotch Label.
In 2004, circumstances forced a move across the country to Pennsylvania. A drastic herd reduction occurred, bringing the herd down from 65 to 15 horses and ponies. Horses were leased to ranches in California while others went directly to the new ranch. In 2005, more horses made the move, including senior AQHA stallion, "Dundee" (How D Sliver). As of September, 2005, a few horses remain in California, slated for sale or a 2006 transport to the new ranch.
Going from a forty acre horse estate to 17.5, largely wooded, acres not designed for show and breeding horses presented many challenges. Fencing and other facilty upgrades are underway to convert the current ranch to a show and breeding facility.
"Leaner and meaner", Everafter Ranch now consists of a premium quality herd of young Quarter Horses and Classic Shetlands. The game plan calls for intensive showing in 2006 and 2007, networking and establishing the two remaining stallions, and the continued production of high quality, good tempered, colorful horses and ponies. We will have only a few select animals for sale in the next couple of years ans we regroup and our fine young stock matures. Stick around, it should be fun!
Our Philosophy
Welcome from your web mistress, Pam Tepperman, owner and dreamer! My background includes extensive training and showing experience, working in the horse industry on race tracks, breeding farms, and public stables, and coaching children to high levels of competition in the show ring, including multiple POA World (Reining, Stock Seat Equitation, Hunt Seat Equitation) and Reserve World Championships (Gymkhana), Arizona State All Around and Gymkhana High Points, and special Sportmanship awards. I have a minor in Equestrian studies and a Riding Master I certificate from Meredith Manor in Waverly, West Virginia, with an emphasis on breeding and stallion management. I also hold a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters degree in Social Work, an education which helps me understand animal behavior , though humans still baffle me at times! Thank you for taking the time to allow me to share my dreams and goals with you!
As a horse crazy young girl with very limited means, I rode whatever I could. Through the years I rode Quarter horses, Paints, Arabians, Pony of the Americas, Thoroughbreds, Morgans, and every kind of grade horse and pony imaginable. I rode bays and chestnuts, blacks and grays, buckskins and roans - the kalaidescope of the equine world. I learned something.... Good horses come in every breed, size, shape, and color imaginable.
That said, I must admit that I have developed a fascination with the genetics involved with dun factor and cremello dilute Quarter Horses - buckskins, duns, palominos and grullos. ESPECIALLY GRULLOS! (Grullo, or grulla, is a rare color, extremely difficult to breed for as it requires both black and dun factor genetics expressed in the foal for the color to be grullo, plus the absence of certain other color genes that would mask or gray out the grullo coat.) Our broodmare herd consists of well conformed, attractive mares with champion caliber pedigrees. We look for mares with the bloodlines and individual characteristics to produce good looking foals which can not only look good in halter classes, but which also have the ability to make good riding and show performance horses. Balanced conformation, good legs with substantial bone and adequate hoof size, quality of movement, and a willing, honest disposition are what we seek in our broodmares. It is our belief and practice that horses should be raised in a healthy, safe environment that promotes their physical, psychological, and social development and health. Our horses spend the majority of their time outdoors, in pasture groups or in large paddocks with a "neighbor" to socialize with. They receive excellent nutrition, vaccinations, regular worming, and hoof trimming. Horses are shod only if there is a valid reason for doing so - regular riding or an old injury that needs shoeing to help keep the hoof in optimal balance. Our horses are taught to respect and also to trust their human partners. Individual temperaments, the horse's past history of interactions with humans, its response pattern, its physical talents and abilities - all are considered when deciding what sort of approach the animal needs to reach its maximum potential.
Our broodmares are handled extensively to promote trust, bonding, and good relationships with people - qualities they will teach their babies. Our goal is to produce mounts that are not only athletic and attractive, but that are also safe and good-minded. I have rehabilitated many horses (including that World Champion POA mare!) that had behavioral problems due to excessive stalling, inadequate socialization (isolation), poor handling, and/or outright abuse. While helping a horse like this has its rewards, that is not the kind of horse I want to sell. The extra time spent massaging, grooming, and exercising our mares and their foals should provide you with a young horse that is ready to excel in whatever activites you enjoy. Horse ownership be FUN, not a hassle! I want to sell you a horse that you will ENJOY!
Thanks for visiting.
Pam Tepperman