The facility that my Clients had leased was 2.5 miles down the road from my ranch.  Although they are close in distance they are worlds apart, our ranch is on the low land down by the  Colorado River that is open pastures ( mostly dirt now due to the drought ) that is surrounded by other large pasture ranches and two big pecan groves to the north and east that are always under irrigation.

When my Clients got off the Comal River and heard about the fire they came racing back and could not get in, just like us when we got back that day, Sheriff’s had the road closed.  We drove around the barricades hours earlier and had about seven minutes to get our property in order before the Sheriff’s escorted us out ( none to happy we had driven around them…..).   My Clients and my husband and I caught up at one of the staging areas where we stayed, facinated and horrified by the fire.  We  could see that the fire was raging through that property and we all thought the worst.

A number of hours later once the fire had moved all the way past the property my Clients were able to sneak in.  They found that their friends car along with the house, the barn, the outbuildings, their vehicles and trailers had all been lost, but all seven of their horses were untouched in the arena!

Below are some pictures I took of the arena and the property after the fire.   As I learn more about the triumphs and tragedies of the fire I will share what I learn but one thing that is ingrained in my head is that a large enough arena may be one of the safest places to put your animals in the face of a wild fire when you have no time to get them out.

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Here is what they had to say “”We had only five days to find a house with room for four dogs and four horses. We searched from Austin to San Antonio for several days but could not find anything suitable. Just when we lost hope, Deb came through with an innovative idea that located the perfect house for all of us. Without her help, I don’t know what we would have done. We will definitely partner with her when we’re ready to purchase!”

I was very glad I could help them. Welcome to Texas Toni and Kevin

This is a lovely horse property in Southwest Austin.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to see it please contact me, Deb, the Horse Property Specialist, 512-743-0516 – I will be happy to show it to you.

If you are looking to Buy, Lease, or Sell a property in Bastrop County please contact me I would love to help you.

I just added a five more nice and moderately priced properties to the developed horse property list and two new additions to the horse friendly property list. These lists are by no means the complete list of properties available, they are just a small sampling. If you are looking for horse related property call me 512-743-0516 so that we can discuss what you are looking for specifically.  I will search for the best matches just for you and your horses!

Big or small, modest or “Austin-tatious” , if you are looking to buy  or sell a  horse property or horse friendly property in the greater Austin area and looking for a career Realtor and Horse Property Specialist to work for you and represent your best interests look no further. Pick up the phone and call me at 512-743-0516! Let me help you meet your horse related real estate goals!

Thanksgiving Turkey in Smithville Texas

On my way to my beautiful ranch/horse property  listing in Ledbetter I drove up 2104 from Smithville.  Lots of the ranches in the area put up holiday decorations and one of them was this wonderful Thanksgiving Turkey made out of a round bale of hay.

On this day of giving Thanks I thought I would take a minute to share this fun image, and  to acknowledge how grateful I am to have been successful all these years as a Realtor and Paint Horse Breeder.  I love my job working for  so many wonderful people buying and selling homes, ranch land, and horse properties in the southwest and now in the  Greater Austin area.

I would like to take  a moment to  thank all of my friends, family, fellow Realtors,  current  real estate clients and my future clients!  Your trust in me and the business you give me and refer to me is something I am always thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a nice supriese! Some of the great information on the Trailriders Journal is the Equestrain Trails page  that has a list of over  40  trails  systems in Texas and the southwest, and maps!  Trails that I have heard of in Big Bend and the Brazos and Trails I haven’t that sound like fun in Flower Mound, and some that are pretty close in the Government Canyon State National Area by San Antonio.

There is a list of overnight boarding facilities in the Southwest (AZ, CA,NM, TX, KS).  pages for  upcoming trail rides listed and overviews of trail rides gone by.  There is a page you can submit items to buy/sell/trade and even a link to weather information.

Here in Bastrop County there are a couple of places to ride trails.  One in the Cedar Creek area at the LCRA McKinney Roughs, and the other at a private facility in the same area called Walnut Creek.  But this is a great website to refer to if you are looking to trailer out for a big day or overnight/camping ride.

Happy Trails!  Oh and keep me in mind if you, or anyone you know is looking to purchase or sell an equestrian or horse property  in and around  Austin and surrounding towns and counties!  As a horse property specialist I would love to help you!  Just contact me!

Deb Dahlberg Rowland and her horse Jigsaws Debut