Apprentices from many countries have come to our farm over the past fifty years to gain experience. These apprentices observe all aspects of the management of the farm, and experience first-hand, the myriad of activities on a full-service facility.
BACKGROUND
Our farm and breeding program is known as Om El Arab which began in Germany in 1970. During the early 1980's most of the breeding program was relocated to Santa Ynez, California, and became known as "Om El Arab International." Since the early '70s this breeding program has produced many of the world's most successful show and breeding stock. Om El Arab bloodlines are found in prominent breeding programs in every country where Arabian horses are bred.
The farm is located on 72 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, which is often referred to as the "Valley of the Arabian Horse." We manage about 150 Arabian horses throughout the year. Each winter we farm about 45 acres in forage hay. The land is used for this crop for half of the year, and then horses are turned out onto the fields for the other half of the year.
Due to the long-term success of our breeding program we regularly receive visitors from all corners of the globe, approximately 1000 per year. We host functions on the farm, such as the well-received "Arabian Breeders Celebration."
SUMMARY
We feel that our farm provides an enriching experience for serious minded equine enthusiasts considering a career in the horse world. They get to observe the daily tasks on a farm well known around the world for world-class Arabian horses, and first class professionalism. Because this is a family business, they too become "family" and are a source of enrichment to our lives as well.
