Robynn Ranch

I had the opportunity to visit this museum several years ago. This is a great example of a farmhouse in the Black Forest.

Standing on this spot since 1612, a Black Forest single-roof farmhouse, with living quarters, stable and barn under a single steeply pitched hipped roof, is now part of a "living" museum. The Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof.

Home to 600 years of the Black Forest's homes, work and lifestyle.

Farms and houses, their origins in 16th to 17th century Schwarzwald, with around 15 outbuildings - mills, sawmills and granaries, brought here and bringing the past alive. Surrounded with farm animals from old domestic breeds, a working herb garden filled with over 130 medicinal herbs used in those days, and typical farmer's garden of the time.

While farmhouses furnished in period are home to permanent exhibitions, ranging from the types of work, tools used by travelling craftsmen and the region's crafts, to clocks, lifestyles and customs.

Including life as a child in the Schwarzwald of those days.

And from spring until late autumn, live demonstrations, courses and temporary exhibitions, open even more windows onto the life and traditions of former times in the Black Forest.

In Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany, the museum in Gutach is one of those "can't miss" places and experiences if you are ever in the area.

Photo credit: https://www.vogtsbauernhof.de/, Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof.jpg, Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I missed these beautiful sunset rainbows at the ranch yesterday because I am with Dark Star down south to be part of a clinical study at UC Davis, thank you Taylor for capturing this golden moment!

Ranch dog at work. I suppose this may freak out some people, but these squirrels are really hard on the land & livestock. Making holes for horses to step in, eating my baby chicks, undermining our road and house foundations. I’m always happy when the dogs have a successful “hunt”.

I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful headshot that Diane Keith took at our schooling show on Sunday. I’m excited to order photographs of both Star and Dario, soon! She does excellent work. [email protected]

Our Black Forest Draft stallion, Dario, participated in his first ever schooling show and scored an amazing score of 71 on his first WDAA test and the highest score of the day of all participants at 72 for his second test, a big shoutout to Stacy Sutton as his dressage trainer and rider! Star and I also rode two tests on her birthday eve, putting more miles and experience on her. Her first tests as well…a “not too shabby” 65 and 3rd place on her first ride and an “I am distracted and done” 60 on her second test. We have our work cut out for us, I am thankful for the feedback to help us have some goals to focus on for the summer.