My name is Neshona, "Mya" to most :) I am a current Boarder at Kraus Farms. We have two horses Twister and Ranger! Ranger is currently available for partial or full lease. I have attached a link to his Ad below and I have many more photos and videos of his riding that I can send through Facebook Messenger! He is truly a Diamond in the Rough
Hi everyone!! l want say happy new year!!! For all my good and great friends !! Hope the best time ever guys!! Miss this wonderful place. l spend part of my life there!!! God blees all you !! l never forget . Always guys be here with me !!
Howdy! I want to share a picture of Jack (former lesson horse) enjoying semi-retirement! This pic is from an ApHC show in Illinois this past summer. Jack competed in the Aged Gelding Halter class and the Ranch Horse Pleasure class. He is doing great! He lives in a pasture with other older geldings and gets plenty of treats & attention!
Kraus girls racking up the ribbons at the Kirkwood Show! Day 2 here we come!
Kraus Farms equestrian center did an awesome job with my daughter's birthday party! The kids had so much fun riding and taking care of the horses and minature ponies. They also loved feeding and playing with the barnyard animals. The helpers were great. They did an awesome job with the kids! And they also have a great space for a party room. If you are looking for a memorable place to have a party I would highly recommend Kraus Farms equestrian center! Thanks Kraus Farms!!!
Beautiful rainbow over Kraus Farms this morning.
Your phones have been busy for the last 2 hours. Are there lessons today?
Could someone tell me the time for the Oct. 6th western show?
70 years in business as one of Missouri's largest facilities, approximately 5000 Acres of trails, an
Operating as usual
07/19/2023
Let me introduce you to the Dream Horse Adventure that is FREE! Yes free!
Does your 5-7 year old child love animals or want to see what it is like to be a cowboy or cowgirl? Kraus Farms offers a one hour adventure for your family. Up to 3 other siblings can join and share in the experience. This adventure is designed for children that have not yet had horse experience, or are interested in pursuing horses as a hobby.
What you could expect:
- An informational Ranch tour
- Visit with the Farm Animals
- Hands on miniature horse experience
- Horseback ride around the arena being led by an instructor
- Spots are limited and one registration per family.
- Looking for someone with knowledge in both English and western disciplines
- Position will be working with beginner riders
- Will be Sunday afternoons 4 - 5 hours
- Pay is between $20 - $40 per hour
If interested, pm or email us and send your resume to [email protected]. You can also call us between the hours 12:00pm - 5:00 pm at 636-225-9513. We will contact you to set up an interview.
Thank you! 😊
06/02/2023
Guess what! We have Kraus Farms swag available to buy on our website. Click on the About tab then click Merchandise. https://krausfarmsinc.krausfarms.com/
05/03/2023
Looking for a fun summer activity for the kids! Get them signed up for the mini buckaroo summer camp for 5 & 6 year olds. They will get to work with miniature horses to learn the basics caring for horses! Get signed up on our website! https://krausfarmsinc.krausfarms.com/
04/29/2023
Get your beef now!
04/14/2023
Happy cows in their daily routine!
03/10/2023
Need a little spring break job! We looking for stall cleaners during spring break March 13-28. Pick the days you would like to work. Please message us or give us a call!
11/16/2022
We would like to congratulate Lindsey Kraus and her trusty steed Dorito on winning the Rookie Cowgirl Award in the breakaway roping at the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Great Lakes Circuit Finals! She also won the second round with a 2.5 second run and after catching all three of her calves she was 3rd in the Average! What an accomplishment for your first year in the professional circuit!
10/31/2022
And the best Halloween costume goes to Tinker Bell and Ben Kraus! Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃
10/26/2022
They love breakfast time!
09/14/2022
Reposting:
💥Hiring💥
Are you looking for a flexible job? We are looking for stall cleaners to work 7am to 12pm Monday thru Friday or you can pick the days you want to work. We can also make this a full time job if need be. If you are interested please messages us or call Mon. thru Fri. at 10am-4pm at 636-225-9513.
08/30/2022
💥Hiring💥
Are you looking for a flexible job? We are looking for stall cleaners to work 7am to 12pm Monday thru Friday or you can pick the days you want to work. If you are interested please messages us or call Mon. thru Fri. at 10am-4pm at 636-225-9513.
05/25/2022
We have two jobs available at our Equestrian Facility near Highway 141 & 44
looking for person to work 40 hours a
week (from 8am to 5pm). One is a full time summer job position and the other is a year round full time position. Job duties
would be outside physical labor: cleaning
stalls, unloading hay, lawn
care. Horse or tractor experience helpful
but not required.
Call 636-225-9513 between the hours of
10am - 4pm Monday thru Friday
05/20/2022
In the loss of Darwin Kraus we celebrate his amazing life because Jesus has given us victory over the grave! As the founder of Kraus Farms and leader of the Kraus family Darwin has left an undeniable legacy! He was a successful horseman, business man, family man, and most of all a man of God! Even today you can see the immense faith and work ethic he has passed through his family! We strive to continue Darwin’s great legacy at Kraus Farms everyday!
The visitation will be Tuesday, May 31st from 4-8 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Eureka. The church service will be Wednesday, June 1st at 9:30 at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Eureka.
05/05/2022
In search for summer camp instructors! If you are interested and want more info check out our job postings or message us! We are looking forward to hearing from you.
05/04/2022
Looking for Summer Camp help:
We are looking for individuals over the age of 18 that love working with kids, have experience in managing two different age groups 5-6 and 7-11 that enjoys being outside in the weather. We will provide the curriculum. The commitment is a week long Monday thru Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm working one to two weeks per month. We can be flexible with scheduling. Horse experience is a plus but not necessary for all the jobs available. To enroll please email [Email hidden].
04/22/2022
We would like to congratulate these girls on their accomplishments in the 2021 MOHJO and MHSA Associations. The girls worked hard all year practicing and preparing their four legged partners! Great job girls we are proud!
Instructor: Lisa Leigh
Kate Sieveking & Skywalker aka Luke
Champion short stirrup
Champion short stirrup equitation
High point equitation
Ella Mill & Strip
Champion crossrail
Champion crossrail equitation
Ella Mcswain & Emagine aka Sloan
MOHJO
3rd limit hunter
4th limit equitation
MHSA
Champion in limit hunter
Reserve in limit equitation
03/28/2022
Equestrian Facility near Highway 141 & 44
looking for person to work 40 hours a
week (from 8am to 5pm). Job duties
would be outside physical labor: cleaning
stalls, unloading hay, lawn
care. Horse or tractor experience helpful
but not required. We also have a part time job available on Saturdays and Sundays.
03/22/2022
They even deliver!
Deliveries keep our hands full!🙌🏼
We love getting to see our customers!
03/03/2022
Who is up for a trail ride?
🐴 Public trail rides are now available to book on our website!
2/24 weather update! The barn will be closing at 3pm today and lessons will be cancelled. Please stay safe during this weather.
02/17/2022
Weather alert!! 🚨 The barn will be closing at 3pm and lesson are cancelled for today 2/17! Everyone please drive safe!
02/14/2022
Happy Valentine’s Day!! ❤️❤️❤️
02/04/2022
Weather update! We will be having lessons today 2/4 and the barn will remain open normal business hours!
02/03/2022
❄️Weather update❄️ We got the snow they were calling for! Lessons will be cancelled and the barn will be closing at 3pm today 2/3/22. Happy snow day!
02/02/2022
❄️Weather update❄️ Lessons will be cancelled and the barn will be closing at 3pm today due to the dangerous weather conditions. Please be safe!
01/20/2022
🐴 Spring break camp! 🐴 We are offering a spring break camp on March 21-25 and a mini buckaroo camp on March 21-24. Also a little reminder that summer camps are filling up fast! Get signed up on our website at https://equestrian.krausfarms.com/equestrian-camps/summer-camps/.
01/07/2022
It’s that time of year again!! Summer camp enrollment is now officially open. There are limited spots so get enrolled on our website at https://equestrian.krausfarms.com/equestrian-camps/. Ready…. Set.. GO! 😁🙌🏻
01/01/2022
Happy New Year from our family to yours! Make 2022 full of new memories!
12/27/2021
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! A beautiful weekend to ride horses and enjoy time with family. God bless!
12/20/2021
The Krebsbach Family (Robin & Tori) has suffered a great loss of their husband/father due to Covid-19. Please pray for their family that they can find comfort, healing and faith during this difficult time.🙏
Anyone wanting to help in other ways there is a go fund me account website established - https://gofund.me/b5a460e4
How do you like your beef? Have it cut the way you want!
Send a message or call if you have any questions about making an order!
12/13/2021
Happy national horse day! The day to show appreciation for our four legged partners in life. ❤️ Comment below a picture of your horse!
09/16/2021
The Mini Buckaroo Camp Round up! 🐎
A Horse Camp designed for 5 and 6 year olds that are one hour sessions that will be held at 5:00pm and 6:00pm on the selected days in September, October and November. Please follow the link below to get more information or sign up.
Looking for a part-time/substitute as a Barn Assistant for riding instructors (this would not be weekly work it would start out subbing that could lead to a part time weekly position)- Job duties would be assisting lesson students with saddling, helping instructors and stall cleaning. This requires previous horse experience.
Call 636-225-9513 between the hours of 10am - 4pm Monday thru Friday if interested
08/20/2021
Equestrian Facility near Highway 141 & Highway 44 (Fenton/Valley Park) looking for employees to work 40 hours a week (from 7am to 4pm---) . Job duties would be outside physical labor: cleaning stalls, unloading hay, lawn care. Horse or tractor experience is helpful but not required. Call 636-225-9513 between the hours of 10am - 4pm Monday thru Friday if interested
06/29/2021
💥Kraus Farms Staff Spotlight💥
Meet Mariah Voda!
Mariah has been working at Kraus Farms since September 2020! She has many roles at Kraus including Riding Instructor, Office Secretary, Student Evaluator, and Trail Guide! She currently teaches Western riding lessons and Mini Buckaroos lessons! Mariah has been riding horses since she was 3 years old when she got her first pony! She started rodeo when she was 7 and has been competing for the past 13 years, most currently on her horse Dutton (pictured). Mariah has received scholarships nationwide as well as received 4th place in AQHA for raising a weanling! Her favorite Kraus lesson horses are Milo (for being the perfect trail horse), Hercules (for his incomparable personality), and Little John (for his perfection!). If you see Mariah around, say hello and tell her what a great job she is doing!
Kraus Farms began business in 1936 as 66 Riding Stables, twenty miles from St. Louis and accessible to city cowboys by the famous Highway 66. Ben Kraus and his business partner offered hay rides, boarding and rental horses on 200 leased acres that included the property now owned by Valley Mount Ranch as well as the present Kraus Farms property. Ben lived at the stables while his wife Freida and their eight children, Shirley, Gene, Darwin, Gerry, Laverne, Norita, Dorothy Lee and Sheila remained in town. Ben was a talented promoter, and 66 Riding Stables was soon providing hayrides for more than 100 people each night, using 12 wagons and as many as 15 teams of horses. Area farmers were often pressed into service with their teams on busy nights. The same horses were rented out as saddle horses during the day, with guides provided for trails through 1000 acres of leased woods to the east of the ranch, on what is now Forest 44 Conservation Park. The business soon allowed for Ben’s family to move from town to a frame farmhouse just north and west of the existing barns. The family made-do without electricity or inside facilities, heating water and cooking on wood stoves and bathing in the creek.
Ben Kraus, his sons and ranch hands broke all the horses used at 66 Riding Stables, maintaining a herd of 25 to 30 horses. Hay for the operation was grown in the bottom lands on the other side of what is now I44 and along the Meramec River, now covered by the land fill and industry. The hay was put up loose using the same horses ridden by renters. Ben also grew the grains the ranch converted to feed with their own mill. The hay and grain fed not only the ranch horses, but also the rodeo stock – Brahma bulls, calves, and steers. The popular holiday rodeos of the 1940’s attracted large crowd to stadium-style grandstands and a red, white, and blue arena with eight bucking stalls, located on the site of the present Valley Mount arena.
All the Kraus “kids” took part in the rodeos and shows as trick and Roman riders, trick ropers, rodeo contestants, barrel racers, and livestock managers. Norita and Dorothy Lee went on to championship seasons as barrel racers.
Ben Kraus also organized the famous Fireman’s Fund Rodeos and Parades in downtown St. Louis, complete with bands, floats, clowns, and as many as 200 horses. Many dignitaries and movie stars visited the ranch during these years, in town for the Fireman’s Benefit and looking for a relaxing ride. Hollywood visitors included Joel McCrae, Andy Devne, Scott O’Conners (the Rifleman), Gene Autry and Debbie Reynolds. The ranch was also the site of midget auto races!
All the Kraus “kids” helped to run the ranch, but Darwin soon became Ben’s “right-hand man” and took over ranch operations after his military service in the 1950’s and his father’s death in 1961. Darwin had married his wife Gerry in 1955 when he was 26 and she was 19. The ranch played a part even in the courtship, since the two met through a horse owned by Gerry’s brother and boarded at 66 Riding Stables. Gerry found it hard to resist the combination of Darwin, horses, and moonlight rides! The couple had eight children: Mathew (Dusty), Theresa (Terry), Jay Andrew, Phillip, Timothy, Rebecca (Becky), Sara and Katherine (Katy) – all Biblical names. Darwin and Gerry credit their faith for their strong family relationships and many happy years managing Kraus Farms. Their strong faith helped the family weather pressures from changes in the community around the ranch, the construction of I44 in the late 1950’s, changing politics, property access issues and destructive floods. The flood of 1982 destroyed three buildings and the hay crop and was followed by an equally destructive flood in 1983, but brought the opportunity to purchase the land south of I44. Because other parts of the leased property had been previously sold, Darwin was able to separate the property with about 30 acres remaining for Darwin’s boarding facility, renamed Kraus Farms, and 110 acres going to other family members and becoming Valley Mount Ranch. Darwin acquired additional property during the 1980’s, bringing Kraus Farms’ acreage up to the current 50. The boarding facility increased from 23 stalls to the existing eight barns, and hay fields were purchased in Pacific.
The 1970’s brought residential and industrial development to the area, along with new customers and new pressures. In the late 1980’s Kraus Farms risked losing access to the leased property now known as Forest 44 Conservation Area, but the property was saved from developers by environmental groups and the Open Space Council. Kraus Farms remains a vital partner in maintaining access and usage of the area for riders. Sons Jay and Tim remained active in the family business, with help from all their siblings. Jay’s wife Traci and children and Tim’s wife Chris and children consider the ranch a second home, as do many cousins. In 1986 Darwin turned the business over to Jay and Tim, enjoying with wife Gerry and mother Frieda the privilege of watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren play and learn at Kraus Farms – the fourth generation!
07/19/2023
07/10/2023
06/02/2023
05/03/2023
04/29/2023
10/31/2022
09/14/2022
08/30/2022
05/20/2022
05/05/2022
04/22/2022
03/22/2022
03/03/2022
03/01/2022
02/24/2022
02/17/2022
02/14/2022
02/04/2022
02/03/2022
02/02/2022
01/20/2022
01/07/2022
01/01/2022
12/27/2021
12/20/2021
12/19/2021
12/13/2021
09/16/2021
09/03/2021
06/29/2021
