Spring Break
Denton residents meet horses, ranchers on tour
Anastasia Jakse
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
They've tasted the blood, sweat and tears of battles won and battles lost.
A symbol of freedom through their agility and strength, horses have played a role in the development of society through their role in communication, farming and transportation.
According to statistics on the county Web site, Denton is home to more than 300 working horse ranches, making it one of the largest horse counties in the U.S.
Many of the ranches are used as breeding and training facilities for horses while others specialize in offering therapeutic riding resources to people with disabilities.
Horsecountrytours.com lists the horse industry in Denton County as "the No. 1 economic impact in agriculture."
The sandy loam soil and mild winters of Denton County attracted horsemen to the area in the 1970s, and the found the soil conditions to be good for working horses, according Web site.
Today, there are an estimated 25,000 horses in Denton County, giving it the name "Horse Country USA."
To showcase the area's horse country, a guided tour has been arranged for the first Saturday of every month.
Members of the tour have the opportunity to interact with the horses and tour the facilities.
Bill Lanning, the owner of the Edgewood Lanning Ranch in Pilot Point, said, "We take some horses out of stalls for people to see - some studs, some of the young horses, so people can see 'em and be up close and personal."
Many of the county's farms, including Valor Farm, a breeding facility for thoroughbred horses, are only open to individuals on the guided bus tour.
"We don't actually do tours here," said Deborah Goin, the office manager at Valor farm. "If people want tours, they call the convention visitors bureau, and they schedule several tours a year."
The next tour will meet at the historic park in Denton on Oct. 4. Tickets are $25 with advance reservations and $30 without.
For those who prefer visiting the ranches on their own time, a few farms offer the option of self-guided tours to people who call ahead.
For more information on horse ranches in Denton County, contact the Denton Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 940-382-7895 or visit the Web site at Discoverdenton.com.
A symbol of freedom through their agility and strength, horses have played a role in the development of society through their role in communication, farming and transportation.
According to statistics on the county Web site, Denton is home to more than 300 working horse ranches, making it one of the largest horse counties in the U.S.
Many of the ranches are used as breeding and training facilities for horses while others specialize in offering therapeutic riding resources to people with disabilities.
Horsecountrytours.com lists the horse industry in Denton County as "the No. 1 economic impact in agriculture."
The sandy loam soil and mild winters of Denton County attracted horsemen to the area in the 1970s, and the found the soil conditions to be good for working horses, according Web site.
Today, there are an estimated 25,000 horses in Denton County, giving it the name "Horse Country USA."
To showcase the area's horse country, a guided tour has been arranged for the first Saturday of every month.
Members of the tour have the opportunity to interact with the horses and tour the facilities.
Bill Lanning, the owner of the Edgewood Lanning Ranch in Pilot Point, said, "We take some horses out of stalls for people to see - some studs, some of the young horses, so people can see 'em and be up close and personal."
Many of the county's farms, including Valor Farm, a breeding facility for thoroughbred horses, are only open to individuals on the guided bus tour.
"We don't actually do tours here," said Deborah Goin, the office manager at Valor farm. "If people want tours, they call the convention visitors bureau, and they schedule several tours a year."
The next tour will meet at the historic park in Denton on Oct. 4. Tickets are $25 with advance reservations and $30 without.
For those who prefer visiting the ranches on their own time, a few farms offer the option of self-guided tours to people who call ahead.
For more information on horse ranches in Denton County, contact the Denton Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 940-382-7895 or visit the Web site at Discoverdenton.com.
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