I am so happy you have found us. Allow me to introduce myself … Sue Olson, the founder of Ranch Life Naturals, and “The Cowgirl behind the dream.” Born and raised with horses and cattle in the Midwest, I have had a passion for horses my whole life. Growing up on a dairy farm with my parents and my sister, we were always racing around the farm bareback on a horse. I have lived and breathed horses for 47 years. Later in life I met and married my soul mate and love of my life, Derrick. Blended we have 3 children and together we developed a Morgan horse breeding program known as Rafter Bar D Morgans. We stand 3 breeding stallions, 15 mares, and we raise foals every year here at the ranch. Our foals that carry the RBD prefix span the globe with foals throughout the United States, France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Puerto Rico, and Australia.
Our ranch life of raising foals, making all our own hay crops, and working with young stock training, combined with my experience in the beauty industry for 15 years lends a hand in the development of the product line. Hair and skin that is out in the elements requires extra care to prevent dryness, cracking, and breaking. Many of the grooming products used for horses, dogs and people contain harsh chemicals that are not healthy for us or the environment. I have used many different products over the years for our horses, dogs and myself. Finding products to fit my needs for our lifestyle at the ranch has challenged me for years.
The inspiration to develop Ranch Life Naturals has been growing in my heart for a number of years, and because of our own needs here at the ranch and the limited products available, our journey began.
Our product line is crafted with natural and organic ingredients designed especially for the needs of horses, dogs and the people who love and work with them. Working and living out in the elements in the northern Midwest of Wisconsin, we understand how harsh the weather can be on hair and skin of horses, dogs and people. The country ranch life in extreme weather conditions along with wood ticks and a variety of biting flies has led to the development of hair and skin products that has been formulated for those who work hard, play hard and live a blessed life in the presence of the beautiful elements of nature.
We are pproud to offer the Ranch Life Naturals product line that is made right here in the USA. Our products are developed especially for the folks just like you and I in our communities who work hard and have an interest in natural healthy alternatives that are environmentally friendly.
Our only product that is not made in the USA is our brushes and combs. To our knowledge, quality wooden horse brushes are not made in the USA, so in search of brushes that fit our needs and compliment our product line, we found the quality hand crafted Borstiq brushes, hand made in Sweden, and Widu combs and brushes hand crafted in Italy, to be beautifully finished and of highest quality.
Our product line reflects the quality and style of ranch life and people who work with their hands, love and live outdoors. Our products harken back to a western ranch lifestyle where ways are simple and natural. Derrick and I both aspire to the nastalgia of the old west and although we are located in northern WI, tending our little ranch nestled in the great north woods, a part of our hearts will always be claimed by the big sky country out west.
We take pride in creating and developing products that are all natural, cruelty free, environmentally friendly and hand made in small batches right here in the USA.
The seed that germinated Ranch Life Naturals lies in a chapter of the journey that Derrick and I share together.
In 2006 Derrick survived an aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection after being air lifted to Abbot Northwest in MN for a 7 hour surgery. Less than 1% survive, and half of the survivors live about 2 weeks and from there half can live up to 10 years. Today the doctors tell us Derrick is a medical anomaly. He has been part of a study since 2006 to help doctors learn more about aortic dissection to be able to help others, as only a few survive from such a severe dissection. He has an artificial St. Judes heart value and a dacron aortic arch. After open heart surgery, recovering from a stroke and 1 liter of fluid around his heart, just 3 short months later, we discovered that Derrick also had colon cancer. After a resection to remove the cancer and a lot of prayer, with the life challenges that we were given, we know for sure that God wasn’t ready for him. Derrick is the strongest man I know with with the will and strength to live like no other. I am so blessed to walk this journey holding the hand of a gift from God.
When survival comes against all odds, so does change and research. What we put in and on our bodies and the animals we love became more important than ever. We still enjoy treats, live our life to the fullest and make each day count. We do our small part to make a difference in this world by developing all natural safe products that will help you on your journey through life. Thank you for taking time to find out about us. We hope you find some of our products will suite your needs, help you or inspire you.
