Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace
March 1998
This series of posts on each Friday during 2015 continues the
stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction
families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the
Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Here is a peek at ‘Life in Oak Springs,’
and the surrounding valley, in March of 1998.
[Image Source: Wikimedia Commons]
Following are excerpts from an interview published in the Oak
Springs Enterprise between reporter, Rachel (Nixon) Gates, and Diane Bevins,
General Manager of Bevins Stables and Trail Rides in the east valley. The
subject was their horse-breeding operations and the interview also included horse-breeding
partners, Heather Gates and Dr. Jennifer Bevins.
Diane said: “Yes, we take great pride in the strides we have made in
our horse-breeding program here at the Stables in the last couple of years.
Heather Gates, although still only a junior in High School, has taken the lead
for us and it has been an award winning process, to date. I see much more of
the same in the future. We each get strong technical guidance from our
veterinary partner, Dr. Bevins, of course. We breed both purebred Palominos and
high-quality non-purebreds as well. We have two birthing stalls, and now try to
have two births in January and two in March, if all goes as planned. And things
usually go as planned.
“I should also mention that we highly value our association with a
number of the other members of the Palomino Horse Breeders of America in the
region. We have had many interactions that have been mutually beneficial over a
number of years. We couldn’t have done what we do without those colleagues and
friends.”
Rachel asked: “What mix of purebred to non-purebred to you use in
your breeding?” To which Diane replied: “One or two purebreds a year is our current
goal. We don’t want to expand the lines too quickly. Quality over quantity is
our current strategy. We also desire to slowly grow our trail ride options,
which requires more non-purebred horses. And, we need to sell some horses each
year, in each category, to help finance the whole operation.”
What are your primary responsibilities, Heather? Rachel asked.
Heather replied: “I would say I have two primary responsibilities right now.
First, because I am still in school, getting that done right is a high priority.
The horses are my FFA project, so that meshes nicely. Second, I am responsible
for all the ‘grunt work’ with the breeding process, directing and helped out by
the other stable employees. The care and comfort of the brood mares and their
foal are my responsibility. All the record keeping for the breeding stock and
their offspring are my responsibility.”
Rachel turned to Jennifer,
“And Dr. Bevins, how do you fit in the equation?” To which she replied,
“My responsibilities are general health of the animals and technical advice and
assistance to the horse-breeding process. We use all artificial insemination,
so I’m responsible for having both materials and equipment available, and I
assist and supervise the operations, along with Heather, and others as may be
required. I regularly monitor the reports Heather prepares on the condition of
all the animals, and recommend and treat as needed. It is a real pleasure to be
involved in this first-class operation and process. Our outcomes have been
outstanding.”
Turning back to Diane, Rachel said: “Dr. Bevins may have answered my
final question. Do you consider the horse-breeding operation here at your
Stables to be a success?”
Diane replied: “Very much a success, for all involved. My first
purebred Palomino was Marilyn, way back, many years ago. Sunshine, Heather’s
principle Palomino mare, is an offspring of Marilyn. We have developed other
excellent mares and have been able to sell a number of male and female
offspring for premium prices. On the other side, we have continued to upgrade
our trail horse herd, while selling a regular number of horses both old and
young to help support the stables and the breeding. We also do some breeding
for other horses that we board. For example, Christopher Ogden owns Shadow over
there in the second birthing stall. This is her second foal in the last two
years. We are all very pleased with how our program is succeeding.”
Locals:
The Sullivan End-‘O-the-Road Livestock Auction announced that the
first “Cow-Calf” Auction of the season would be held on Friday, March 27, 1998.
A find selection of locally raised stock was expected at the sale event.
Refreshments would be available from vendors at the Auction House.
Social Notes:
Travis and Inman, and their children, Zach and Kayla, spent Spring
Break week in Branson. They enjoyed Silver Dollar City and many of the other
local attractions.
Peter, Sheila and Jeremy Bevins spent Spring Break at the Lake of
the Ozarks, boating and fishing, they said.
Cop Shop:
There were no incidents reported this month.
"May
everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."
Dr.
Bill ;-)
