Wrapping up 2024

Welcome to My Blog – Where Chaos, Beefalo, and Big Dreams Meet

Hi, I’m Dana—servant to my horses and cows, aspiring equine bodyworker, dance instructor, mounted shooter, barrel racer, wife to the most amazing man, and, as of now, an accidental blogger. Starting a blog has been one of my many goals for 2024, and with only eight days left in the year, I’m just barely squeezing it in under the wire, but I am still counting it as a win!!  

Why a Blog?
I have so many thoughts swirling around in my neurodivergent brain that need to go somewhere, I love to write (although I am not great at it-this blog is an attempt to get better at it),  and I get lots of questions from both friends and strangers that deserve more than a quick reply. This space will be where I share, reflect, and hopefully connect with all of you. Plus, it’ll save me from repeatedly answering questions like:
“What is beefalo, and why is it so amazing?”
“How do I cook beefalo?”
“What is Mounted Shooting?”
“How do you decide which heifers should be replacements?”
“Isn’t ranching something you have to be born into?” (Spoiler alert: It’s not.)
 
Who We Are
Crea Ranch began in 1952 when my grandparents, Earl and Alice, built a life in the stunning mountains of Ferry County, Washington. Today, we’re continuing their legacy—with a twist. We raise beefalo, the incredible love child of domestic cattle and bison. It’s a hearty, beautiful breed, and just plain cool.  And while we are blessed to have the opportunity to graze the herd up there 1/2  of the year, we actually live 5 hrs away from the ranch and the program we have developed is way different (and smaller) than what my grandparents did.
But this blog isn’t only about beefalo. It’s about the journey of figuring out ranching when you weren’t born into it. I wasn’t raised with cattle—I grew up with horses, not herds—so I’m tackling what I lovingly call “adult-onset ranching problems.” It’s been a steep learning curve, filled with a shit-ton of work, lots of laughs, lots of tears, feelings of both accomplishment and defeat,  and the unwavering support of my husband, who grew up far from this life yet encourages my wild dreams.
Beyond raising cattle, I’m raising my own barrel racing and mounted shooting prospects, training to be an equine bodyworker, and constantly working to improve my horsemanship, herdsmanship, and stockmanship.
 
What You’ll Find Here
Insights for New Ranchers: Especially for women stepping into this world, I’ll share what I’ve learned—like battling imposter syndrome, mistakes I’ve made (and survived), and why starting small is more than okay.
Beefalo, wild game, & Gluten Free Recipes: I promise not to share recipes that take 21 ingredients and a culinary degree
Horse Adventures: From training and care tips to breeding and raising performance horses, you’ll get a peek into the highs, lows, and everything in between as I work to be the best partner for my horses.
Cow Talk: Expect hilarious mishaps, hard lessons, and glimpses into the everyday chaos of raising cattle.
​Equine Wellness: As I dive into equine massage therapy and postural work, I’ll share how it’s transforming how I care for and connect with my horses.
Sustainability and Stockmanship: Thoughts on raising animals responsibly and finding harmony between livestock, land, and people.

​What is the purpose?
Because raising livestock of any kind is a wild ride, and I want to take you along for the journey. Whether you’re here for recipes, ranching tips, or just a good laugh, I hope you’ll find something valuable. Rural living has always been close to my heart.  It's not just a way of life-it's a deep connection to the land, the animals, and the community around me.  If I can help someone else start or grow their own journey into this world, that would be a blessing. 
I also believe there is a long-needed paradigm shift happening in the horse world right now,  The internet is flooded with so much information that it can be overwhelming. After years of navigating this information overload, I understand what it's like to feel something is out of balance or missing in your program, yet not know where to turn for answers.  I am learning on a daily basis and want to share both my mistakes-so you don't repeat them-and my wins, to help you succeed.  I'm passionate about offering resources and inspiration to help fellow equestrians cut through the noise, find their path, and ultimately create a better experience for themselves and their equine partners.  
And if you’re new to this world, know this: You belong here. Imposter syndrome is a liar—if you have the passion and the willingness to learn, you’re already on the right path.
 
Let’s Do This
This blog will be a little messy, a lot honest, and (hopefully) full of moments that make you laugh, think, and maybe even say, “Hey, I can do that,” or, “I’ve never thought of it that way.” So grab your drink of choice, pull up a seat, and join me for the ride.

Cheers,
Dana

---