Welcome to Free Rein Ranch!

Free Rein Ranch didn't actually originate as a cattle farming business.  In early 2023, Nick, the owner, was eager to reignite his love of horseback riding -- something he hadn't done since childhood.  He purchased Coyote, an 8-year old buckskin, from a small equestrian farm in New Hampshire.  Every week, he drove an hour north from his home in Massachusetts to ride Coyote for lessons in Western and liberty from his trainer, Libbie Manning.  At the same time, his young daughter was quickly advancing in her riding; he knew another horse purchase was in his near future.  With his investments expanding rapidly, he established the ranch as a formal business in order to manage and protect those assets.  

The name Free Rein Ranch reflects two core values our family holds close and that guide our work.  First, it represents our strong belief in American liberty - the freedom to steward land, livestock, and family life with responsibility and independence.

Second, it speaks to the fundamental principles of liberty-based horsemanship: trust, communication, and partnership allow the animals to respond willingly rather than through force.

But where do the cows come into play, you ask?

In late 2023, Nick met Gus Franchi, owner of Gus's Farm in Mason, NH, when he purchased a pig for processing.  Gus' beliefs and practices related to pasture-raised, regenerative farming naturally aligned with FRR's belief systems;  Nick and Gus hit it off immediately!  Always the entrepreneur, Nick saw an opportunity to join forces with Gus to expand FRR's vision beyond horses.  Together, they have created a partnership that has broadened the ranch to include heritage cattle breeding.

Gus and Gus's Farm lead the daily cattle farm operations, bringing years of knowledge and hands-on experience to the land and livestock.  Free Rein Ranch supports the cattle farming through strategic investment and long-term vision.

While cows are now the face of who we are, horses remain an important part of Free Rein Ranch.  Libbie joined the FRR team in 2025, and supports us through her excellent horsemanship skills, focusing specifically on liberty training of horses of all ages.  Her role personifies the roots of who we are and where we started.

At its core, Free Rein Ranch is about more than just breeding and raising livestock.  Freedom, guided by integrity, is the principle behind everything we do.