Feeling down? Saddle up." That quote has an unknown author, but horse lovers know it well. Just ask the residents of a 5-acre property at the edge of Thousand Oaks, where their equine companions roam hillside pastures and greet people with friendly snorts, happy hooves, alert ears and swishing tails.

"I love sitting on my horse riding to music over the arena stereo with the pine trees around us," said Jennifer Crandall, co-owner of Flying Heart Ranch. She rides and trains in dressage; co-owner Chris Hansing rides western and is a team roper. Since settling into some of the most beautiful and open countryside in Southern California in 2001, they have sure enjoyed this special site with custom amenities for exquisite entertaining, versatile spaces for everyday living and peaceful surroundings for simply relaxing.

Signs up front point the way to the barn area and service entrance (with easy turnaround for deliveries). A wagon wheel supports the mailbox, flowers grow from pottery shaped like cowboy boots and coiled lassoes rest on the mantel of a river-rock fireplace in the master bedroom. A similar fireplace highlights the step-down family room, featuring a wet bar with sink and fridge. Other welcome retreats are the master suite's balcony overlooking part of the property, past French doors; or the master bath's spa tub and roomy shower. The master bedroom even has a spacious walk-in closet.

Icing on the cake is having every provision imaginable for their equestrian passion. Fully functional facilities include an eight-stall breezeway barn, six-stall Malibu barn (mare motel), locking tack room, hot/cold covered and lighted wash rack, a 100-by-200-foot arena and a 60-foot round pen.

It's been said that "for the cost of feed and hay, horses will be great listeners any day." Of course, that's not to say time spent with two-legged friends isn't valued, too. True enough, another pastime that makes the ranch owners smile — both are dentists by the way — is regularly hosting guests: "once a month, from 10 to 50 people."

Visitors like to gather on shaded patios, in the backyard's inviting gazebo, at its pond-like Pebble Tec pool/spa, the long front porch where good conversations are shared, or the island kitchen with wine racks, big windows, recessed lights, alder cabinets and stainless appliances (stove, sink, oven, refrigerator). It also has an eating area fireplace and soft yellow walls.

The same color suits the exterior of the four-bedroom, three and one-half bath residence, framed by meandering walkways, large lawns, roses and mature trees; as well as the guest cottage nearby. Boasting very enviable weather year-round, these picturesque places are "off the beaten path," behind Tierra Rejada Farms, beyond security gates and near freeway access but a world away because quietness or sounds of Mother Nature prevail. Some fruit trees bear apricots, peaches, plums, lemons, limes, peaches, avocadoes and figs.

"The grounds are spectacular. The setting is meticulously maintained and magical," said agent Nicki LaPorta of Sotheby's International Realty, who is marketing the treasured listing. "And it's zoned for up to about 20-plus horses."

Case in point: "We hosted a two-day dressage clinic by level S judge Donna Richardson," Chris said. "She stayed in the guest house and we had up to 20 horses here as well as several large horse trailers. Riders could warm up and lunge in the round pen then go up to the arena for their clinic time with Donna. It went very smoothly."

Professional horse trainer Jackie Stoutenburg has rented the 600 square-foot guest house. With a kitchen, one bedroom, one bath and washer/dryer, it also could be an artists' studio, office setup or a handy haven for in-laws, overnight stays, staff, etc.

The guest home's river-rock fireplace matches those in the main home; one in the living room offsets a wood-beamed ceiling for stylish rustic appeal. Floors throughout are oak plank, slate or carpeted.

"More than 3,600 square feet, this ultimate oasis captures the warmth and comfort unique to sophisticated country living," LaPorta said. "It's splendid in both construction and design, weaving understated elegance throughout."

Tranquil beauty of the surroundings enters via many paned windows and French doorways. "I love the kitchen's floor to ceiling windows — lots of light and you feel like you're looking out at a park," Jennifer said. "Or sitting on the bedroom balcony watching the horses socialize in the pastures; or on the side or front porch, watching sunsets over farm fields across the road."

For as much as the property has fit the sellers' ideals, they were initially reluctant to even take a tour — especially after they were told of everything it has, not just horse facilities but also the stone pool, gazebo, dog kennels/ chicken coops, turnouts and an "extremely tall" maintenance barn about 40 by 80 feet to store hay stacks, machinery, equipment, etc.

"You'd imagine a hodge-podge mess," they said. "But unlike many horse properties, this one is industrially built, carries one theme, has incredible drainage, quality and each area is private from the other the way it's terraced."

Extensive landscaping includes multiple rock gardens with succulents plus hundreds of flowering plants like jasmine, morning glories, scented geraniums, day lilies and lantana.

Other site upgrades are snake/rabbit fencing, and new footing for the sand/ fiber arena which is "close to dustless and doesn't need to be watered." Across the access road from the mare motel are four covered kennels with concrete floors with drains and two large semi-covered pens. "We call it a pet barn; it not only houses dogs but the larger covered pens are perfect for 4H projects like goats, pigs, sheep, turkeys " Jennifer said.

The pet pens and 14 barn stalls have decomposed granite bases (optimum drainage, doesn't get muddy, gives a hard surface that can be added to in the future). Both the arena and round pen have complete welded fencing and perimeter water; pipe fencing around the property (hand-sodered oil pipe) has water running in the top pipe that can be for those locales as well as the three hillside pastures.

Standout memories include foaling two fillies on the premises. "We got to be present for both," Jennifer recalls. "We have a (veterinarian area) palpation chute here which helps with breeding; and we have two extra large foaling stalls."

Chris remembers a hands-on workshop for Vet-Tech. "They make Equithaine, a hoof repair material. We had 25 worldwide sales representatives, the company's ferrier, owner and top executives. They used the barn and mare motel for working demos as well as some of our horses for live demos. A cowboy BBQ provided lunch and we all ate at tables set up in the main barn breezeway. It was a lot of fun."

Likewise enjoyable are playing bocce ball or croquet on the lawns and wine-tasting events in summer. "It's an entertainment paradise — private, complete, quality, nicely laid out," the owners say. "The home is tastefully, simply stated with solid finishes. The horses also are very lucky to live here and it's a dog's heaven as well. This property truly has heart."

For more information on Flying Heart Ranch in Thousand Oaks, for sale for $2,995,000, call LaPorta at 390-6592 or 446-1873; or Karen Crystal (Sotheby's International Realty/Ewing & Associates) at 625-0304.

FOR SALE

$2,995,000

Flying Heart Ranch

Thousand Oaks

"The best of two worlds"

Nicki LaPorta 390-6592 / 446-1873

Sotheby's International Realty

Karen Krystal 625-0304

Sotheby's International Realty/ Ewing & Associates

See at www.4956ReadRoad.com

On 5 acres: pool/spa, gazebo, main house about 3,600 sq. ft. w/4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 fireplaces, 2-car garage, family room w/entertainer's bar, stainless appliances and wine cabinet in island kitchen, alder cabinets. Guest house about 600 sq. ft. w/ 1 bedroom, 1 bath, fireplace, kitchen, washer/dryer. Equestrian facilities: 8-stall breezeway barn inc. 2 foaling stalls, 6-stall Malibu barn, vet area w/palpation chute, laundry room, hot/cold covered and lighted wash rack, locking tack room, large arena and round pen w/welded fencing, perimeter running water; 3 hillside pastures, maintenance barn, dog kennels

Caption image slug/location edit\zAdvertorial\Star Homes\Sept art\0916\cover story\pool gazebo.eps

Resting spots at Flying Heart Ranch in Thousand Oaks include the big barn, pool, gazebo and master bedroom with balcony and fireplace.