Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Kegan is a solid western rider from Texas. She grew up around horses and cattle and has been Barrel Racing and Roping since she was young. She competed in the US and Canada - with the occasional rodeo show-up if she had the time.
class objectives
Kegan's teaching style is as structured as she is. She's a strong believer in nailing down the basics before proceeding, similar to learning the rules before bending them. Kegan also believes in applying practice and lessons in real life - especially as someone who works in the ranching business. Classes are often during late afternoon or early evening but she can do mornings if asked.
Kegan is a solid western rider from Texas. She grew up around horses and cattle and has been Barrel Racing and Roping since she was young. She competed in the US and Canada - with the occasional rodeo show-up if she had the time.
class objectives
Kegan's teaching style is as structured as she is. She's a strong believer in nailing down the basics before proceeding, similar to learning the rules before bending them. Kegan also believes in applying practice and lessons in real life - especially as someone who works in the ranching business. Classes are often during late afternoon or early evening but she can do mornings if asked.
April was about to begin and Kegan felt a bit caught off guard. It wasn't a bad thing, but it just made her realize how much time had passed. It also meant there were a few birthdays that were coming up if she was remembering correctly.
Birthdays were always celebrated while she was in Texas. There were no shared month celebrations, always on the day for someone - or close to it. It meant a lot of cake and fun- but it made the staff smile. She unfortunately hadn't done too much the first year, mainly from business and Kegan didn't know how people felt about it yet. But she did write small cards with a gift card.
As she mulled over her options, a knock at her office door reverberated through the room. Which meant that she didn't have enough decor in it yet.
“Come in,” Kegan said out loud as she gave a small glance at her calendar. No meetings so it was most likely a question from someone. None of her staff had become comfortable enough with her yet to just come say hi. Unless today was the start.
Kegan didn’t make it into town for too much, but she had an appointment for a commission contract. Mainly to chat with a few local business owners that catered to leather goods and tack. Seeing their thoughts on being equipment providers, like an equal trades kind of thing. There weren’t any concrete decisions yet, but Kegan was happy to get the bug out.
She looked at her watch and nodded to herself as she walked down High Street. It was quaint, almost like a small downtown of a Texas town. All it was missing was a mercantile and a large hay silo.
Kegan found the Starbucks easily enough and saw Tenaya waiting for her. The poor girl was probably scared shitless, something Kegan didn’t think would be an issue amongst her staff. But Kegan knew that she brought a lot of change, and a lot of it in a short amount of time. So far, no one has left because of it.
She ordered her coffee and when it was received, she walked over. “Afternoon, Tenaya,” she smiled – hoping to ease the nervous energy Tenaya was most likely feeling. “I’m surprised you wanted to meet at Starbucks, but I guess we all need to leave the ranch sometimes, don’t we?” Kegan took a sip of her coffee before continuing. “I figured I would check in with you. See how you are fairing with everything going on. And be honest. I don’t like when people sugarcoat things.” It wasn’t a threat, as Kegan was truly interested in the feedback. But it also had the tone that Kegan didn’t tolerate liars, and the actual truth would eventually get to her.
It didn’t take long for Sam to show up and when he did, it was evident that he was about to be distracted through the whole process. Kegan didn’t blame him though. Dogs were always a welcome sight, working or not. “You are correct. It took me a few months, but I believe they will make the process more streamlined. They’re all well trained, but they will need some hands-on training with their new people,” she smiled. Her words were straightforward as Kegan wasn’t a person to beat around the bush.
“I’m guessing the former owner never had you work with them before?” Kegan had a good answer already, but she didn’t want to make it seem like the former owner was a piece of shit. Things were different. But there also felt like a difference between English ranching and Texas ranching. Kegan didn’t want to come across as demanding, but she liked things to be more efficient than her workers were used to.
The Cattle Kegan kept the forty of the original cattle but added a herd of ten English Longhorns, and ten Highland.
English Longhorn English Longhorns are large lean beef cattle with an impressive sweep of horns that curve down to around the nose. These impressive horns are valued in the pedigree. The body may be any one of a wide range of brindle colors (including colors from red to grey) but they all have the characteristic white line or "finching" along the back and down the tail, which is passed onto their crossbred progeny. Cows range in height from 130 to 140cm and weigh 500 to 600kg. Males average 150 cm in height and 1000 kg in weight.
Uses: Meat, Dairy
Highland Highland cows are a hardy breed with a double coat of hair that makes it easier for them to withstand harsh conditions. They have a thick undercoat that insulates them from cold temperatures and an oily outer coat that gives them their cute, furry appearance.
Uses: Dairy, Fiber
Limousin The Limousin is large, fine and has a strong boned frame. Mature Limousin females should average 650 kilos and mature males 1000 kilos. The head is small and short with a broad forehead, and the neck is short with a broad muzzle.An early-maturing breed, Limousins naturally produce young, but mature, lean beef in the medium weight range demanded by supermarkets and for intervention supply.
It had been almost a year since Kegan took over. There have been a lot of changes she has made so far, mostly with the property. She was still updating her home, but that was last on her mind. Kegan had made sure the barns and anything about her staff were up to date. One barn needed a lot of attention, to the point Kegan had to accept it most likely needed to be rebuilt. Money wasn't an issue. At the moment, it was the horses that were in the care of the barn. Thankfully, a few places could house those horses until the third barn was rebuilt.
Now, Kegan's goal was to start training herders. Most, if not all, were talented in their own right. But it was evident some were lacking in the way they worked. Nothing awful, but she witnessed a bit of disconnect. She was hoping they would answer some questions for her. But she also wanted to meet with them to meet their companion.
Kegan and her family always insisted on having a dog by their side. Some people found it an odd practice, to have such a small animal help herd. But it was a necessity. There was so much a person on a horse could do. So, to up production and a stronger sense of purpose - Kegan got some dogs that were well trained from a neighbor. They were downsizing and didn't need more dogs for their livestock. After an exchange of meat and dairy, Kegan got the dogs. Now, it was the time to match those dogs with their herder.
A few picked theirs out, leaving Violet and Sam. Sam seemed easier to pair with out of the two, so she called him first. Kegan asked him to meet her at the vet's office, where the dogs rested and received checkups.
Dogs and Cats Kegan believes in having a solid connection between herder and their dog. She has implemented a training system where they can bond and learn together. There are also livestock protection dogs for the cows, and a few barn cats to help keep pests away.
Herding Dogs These dogs live with their handler, or in a kennel if their handler lives off-site.
Kegan looked at her watch as she sat at her desk. The weather was sunny but quickly turned cloudy. Her father, the ever-super fan of the weather, had told her that a thunderstorm was rolling. For once, maybe the news was right. Or was it her knees? She didn't quite know anymore. Kegan was used to understanding Texas weather. England was still on a learning curve, but at least the animal care was the same as always.
Deciding she was over with the paperwork, for today at least - Kegan grabbed her raincoat. She didn't think she would need it right away, but it was better to have it.
As she stepped outside, the clouds seemed to sense her presence. Her action offended them, making the clouds turn a darker color. Any ounce of light was pretty much gone, and a whistle of a strong wind could be heard through the trees.
Well, shit, Kegan thought. So much for getting her horse groomed. If anything, tomorrow would be a solid grooming day for almost everyone.
Kegan scurried as fast as she could to the offices. She cursed herself for making such a reasonable-sized parking area. As she was about to open the door, Kegan heard the sounds of wet tires. Thankfully, the vehicle didn't have those awful blue LED headlights. But her curiosity kept her at the door - under the protection of the awning. Rain hit the metal roof as Kegan waited to see who this mysterious person was that pulled up. They had a good enough reason to be let past the gate.
To be added to the staff housing list, please DM Aofie on Discord or PM! Character name: Job: i.e. herder, ranch hand Location: i.e dorm, cabin, onsite
Staff Dorms: There are two buildings, one for men and one for women, if they choose to live on site. Each building has ten rooms for singles, but each room is big enough to accommodate doubles or couples. A communal bathroom has five showers and five stalls. There's also a lounge area and a kitchen.
CABINS Cabins are reserved for the herders (if they choose to live on-site). Each cabin has a bathroom, kitchen, and bed. There is enough size to cater to a herder, a partner, and an assigned herding dog. There are three locations of cabins. Two near the cow barn, two near the horse barn, and two deeper into a pasture behind the cow barn.
Communal areas: Where the Diesel family and the staff of the ranch can have some down time. There is a pool with a spa and a firepit, for those who don't want to take a trek to the pond. A secondary fire pit seating area by the pond is also available.
A large sunroom kitchen and dining area attached to Kegan's home is open for family-style meals. It is where breakfast is provided (i.e. premade breakfast burritos, or a buffet). It is also where Kegan treats her staff to a family-style dinner on Fridays and Sundays.
An entertainment room is also tucked away for the staff to enjoy. Both communal spaces can be accessed without having to pass through Kegan's personal space - allowing staff to go to and from as they please. The pond has a dock to jump off of, or to fish. There are also boats for those who want them. Entertaining at the pond is accessible via the boat house.