About Us

Ruff’s Ranch is a 15 acre, 22 – stall,  horse boarding and training facility in Poulsbo, WA. Owners of Ruff’s Ranch, Don & Patricia Ruff live on- site with their 3 dogs & 4 personally owned horses and they have great a team around them who contribute to their success on a daily bases.

Don was born in Oakdale -’cowboy capitol of the world’- CA. He practically grew up on horseback with special interest in team-roping and trail riding in the Sierra Nevada mountains. At age 18, he joined the military and served for 11 years, of which many years overseas. With his growing interest in horse shoeing, Don changed careers and attended Mission Farrier School , graduated in March 2005 and started his own business ‘Don’s Shoeing Shack’ and has been very successful ever since. Don participates in clinics all over the nation and is so far the only Certified Natural Balance Farriers in WA state.

Patricia was born in Gouda (famous for it’s cheese), The Netherlands. Growing up a ‘city girl’ she took weekly riding lessons since age 7. She never gave up on the passion of her life: HORSES! She dreamed about making it her profession one day, but that didn’t happen overnight. Her first career was a hairdresser (!!!) and her income went straight to buying her first own horse - exploring ‘western style’ riding, which was a very uncommon and head turning riding discipline back then in Europe-  and went to school to become a certified English riding instructor. She taught dressage and jumping lessons at a  facility in her hometown. At age 27 she took on a position to train Friesian horses in hand (coach driving) and under saddle for a Dutch theme park - ‘Huis Ten Bosch’- in Japan. She also worked briefly as a trail guide in Australia.

Don & Patricia met each other in Japan and made plans for a future together. Don got transferred back to the USA, Patricia followed him, they married and  settled in WA. Patricia had to restart her career and worked for 2 other barns until she began a business of their own.

Ruff’s Ranch opened it’s doors in January 2002. In January of 2007, they were given the opportunity to relocate the business to one of the most beautiful properties on the other side of town.

The Ruff’s continue their education by self study and participating in many clinics, seminars and lectures. Their professional specialties are: Natural Balance horse shoeing & trimming, HorseBoarding, Training and Instruction, Clinics and personal  Coaching in Reining,  Natural Horsemanship and regaining confidence in the saddle/overcoming fear.

For pleasure we do Team roping, working cowhorse, driving, 2-man ranch sorting,trail riding and classical dressage. Well, I guess I knew how to jump 3′6″, but it’s been a while….