Long before it was fashionable, Modesto Milling began taking organic feed production seriously. The company gained its first organic certification from Oregon Tilth of Corvallis, Ore., in 1998, becoming the first organic grain processor in Central California. Ninety-nine percent of the ingredients the company uses are organic or naturally-mined products, and its horse feeds contain only the best organic oats, barley and alfalfa, as well as organic coconut meal that are high in digestible fiber and healthy fats to promote healthy coats. What are other difference-making ingredients? Well, they include organic peas for high-quality protein; flax seeds and sunflower seeds for the omega 3 and omega 6 fats; organic stabilized rice bran for its fat and low-starch content; supplements like natural vitamin E and biotin for healthy coats and hooves; plus additional quality ingredients like diatomaceous earth, zeolite, yeast, sea kelp and other essential nutrients. The essential oils and herbs give the products a unique flavor that horses enjoy.

There is more to being organic than simply “non-GMO,” and Modesto Milling knows that. Genetic modification is done to the plant itself, but has no bearing on what kind of soil the plant may have been grown in, or how the plant is treated during its growth. Certified Organic means that the plants from which grains and other ingredients used in the horse feeds were not treated with any synthetic fertilizers, toxic herbicides, or pesticides — as well as being non-GMO.  With every purchase of a certified organic feed, you are not only feeding a pure product that is free of synthetic toxins, pesticides, or medications for improved health of your horse, but you are also helping to support the care of the land — with forethought to the future. Visit www.ModestoMilling.com or call 209-523-9167 for more information

A favorite Well-Horse success story is from Ashley, the daughter of Well Horse partner Tim Demma. Her horse’s leg wound lead to the launch of the Well-Horse Company. “Ashley’s horse gashed his leg on a piece of cement at the bottom of a fence post,” says Tim. “The gash sliced open the skin on the outside of the right-front leg, from the bottom of the knee to the top of the fetlock. This location is particularly challenging because of the low blood flow to the lower extremities. Coco Fernandez (Well-Horse founder) applied the Well-Horse product and wrapped the leg. Three days later the wound had shrunk in size by half, and it was clean. For the remainder of the treatment, the wound was left open, as the Well-Horse product forms a protective shield over the treated area. On Day 17, the wound was minor, and by Day 30, all of the hair had grown back with no white scarring and no proud flesh. We were amazed and realized that we needed to create a formula and bottle it!” Nine years later, the Well-Horse product line has revolutionized the wound care industry around the world. Learn more at Well-Horse.com.

Last year, producers of Equestrian Nation were on a group trail ride where they met a guy who had ridden with President Reagan as a secret service agent. His name was King Davis, and he had fascinating stories of what it was like to ride with President Reagan and provide the level of protection that was needed when his security detail was also on horseback. No matter where he was, President Reagan would try to ride every Wednesday during his presidency, and the Secret Service, of course, had to be ready to ride. So, it all started on this trail ride a year ago — the idea to feature Ronald Reagan and his love for horses on a special series of shows on Equestrian Nation. From there, the producers found lost footage of Reagan riding horses, and then shot interviews with his son Michael Reagan, other Secret Service agents, including John Barletta, and even Reagan’s veterinarian, Dr. Doug Herthel, who took care of his horses. They also shot at his California ranch, at his Ranch Center, and at his library in Simi Valley. This special three-part series is called “Sometimes the World Needs a Cowboy” and will premiere Oct. 19 on RFD-TV.

Equestrian Nation received unprecedented access to bring their cameras to The Reagan Ranch, Rancho del Cielo, just north of Santa Barbara.  On their last day at the ranch, the Reagans literally walked out and left behind all of their personal belongings, exactly as they were. You’ll see the President’s jellybean jar that’s still half-empty beside the kitchen sink.  The blue Scrambler Jeep that he used to get around the property was still parked in the garage. Used bars of soap in the shower, worn toothbrushes, family photographs, and various riding clothes were all exactly as Ron and Nancy had left them.

The ranch played host to world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Margaret Thatcher. It was a simple, down-to-earth place
President Reagan had an incredible respect for animals and did all his own grooming and hoof-picking. He adored his horses and often shared his jellybeans with them right from his hand. His favorite horse —- the one with which he is often seen in photographs —- was a white Arabian stallion named El Alamein.

Don’t miss “Sometimes the World Needs a Cowboy” President Ronald Reagan and his love for horses only on Equestrian Nation. Check your provider for show times.