Welcome to the Ranch!
Doug, the ranch owner, got into the horse business in an odd way. His wife Elaine talked him into going to a horse show outside of Houston, and, unbeknownst to Doug, picked up a bidding paddle. When a lovely white Arabian came up for bid she handed the paddle to Doug and said, “I want that one!” With a horse now part of the household, they decided to buy a few acres and build a barn. Maybe this was not the traditional way to go into the ranch business, but it worked for them.
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One day Doug was at the feed store to pick up some treats for his new horse when he saw a package with a drawing of a magnificent horse with a long flowing mane and tail. “What kind of horse is that?” he asked the owner of the store. “I don’t know,” was the answer. “But he sure is pretty!” The image of the horse stayed with Doug, and when he got home, he called the company that manufactured the horse treat and asked them about that horse on the box.
“It’s called a Gypsy Vanner,” the representative told him, “and there are a few in America, but mostly the Gypsies of Europe have ‘em.” From that moment on, Doug Kneis pretty much gave up his day job in the oil patch and became a horseman.
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Doug and Elaine imported and bred Gypsy Vanner for many years. You can still find pictures and videos of the many amazing horses they owned on GypsyMVP's website and Facebook. Unfortunately, they stopped their breeding business in 2016 and kept only a few of their favorite horses.
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In 2021, Doug decided it was time to allow others to use the amazing facility they built so many years ago. That sparked the new vision for Magnolia Ranch. We now offer elite boarding care, beginner riding lessons, training, and sales. Gypsies, Friesians, Andalusians, and Arabians have always held a special place in Doug and Elaine's heart. They now have a variety of all these breeds and quite a few phenomenal crosses. Our horses are in training programs to prepare them for their forever homes and used for lessons.
Here at Magnolia Ranch, we strive to assist you with all things horse. Our staff works hard 7 days a week to ensure all horses here at the ranch are given 5 star quality care. If you have any questions or wonder if we are able to assist you, please contact us by phone or email.