About Us
Happy Acres Ranch is a 48 acre working ranch located in the southwest corner of Marion County. The rnach is owned by the James B. Moore Trust which is owned by Jim Moore and his wife, Eileen (Beanie).
The Ranch offers guests many activities to keep them busy during their visit, from trail riding, carriage rides, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), swimming, tennis and boating to shopping in those quaint little shops in the idyllic town of Dunnellon just seven miles west of the ranch.
The ranch has several three bedroom, two bath, two-car garage guest homes that provide their guests the ultimate experience of what it's like to live on an Ocala Horse Farm. The homes are roomy and tastefully decorated by "The Bean".
The Ranch presently has 19 horses, including five new folas that just arrived March 2008. Only 4 of the 19 horses are used for trail riding for guests. The rest are part of the business, and come and go. We also have three Charolais, one bull and two heifers. Last year we sold two calves; this May we have two new calves to be put up for sale this fall. Happy Acres Ranch is a work in progress. We are continually adding to the facilities or improving the ones we already have.
We recently completed two concrete block barns which include 19 stalls, sleeping quarters, mordern bath facilities, and kitchen. Additionally, there are two offices, two tack rooms and a feed and tool room. There is also a garage with room for three pieces of large equipment and /or hay storage. We also have 14 other stalls on the property. Some of these are in a pole barn known as Barn "C". The others are in various run-in sheds in each of the various paddocks.
Our new concrete block barns also offer web cams for us to view the stalls through the Internent from anywhere in the world. Additionally, the barns are equipped with automatic fly spray to keep the pesky flies at a minimum and automatic misters that can keep the horses cool in the warmest periods of the Ocala summers.
When planning a trip to Happy Acres Ranch, our website offers information and links for area hotels and restaurants making planning a trip easier. The most formal restaurant is Felix's, about 30 minutes drive from the ranch in downtown Ocala. The rest are within 15 minutes and have excellent food but are more country in atmosphere. The Hilton Hotel located about 15 minutes from the ranch at the intersection of Hwy 200 and Interstate 75 (Exit 350), probably offers the best nearby accommodations.
The Rainbow River for boating and fishing, is just seven miles west of the ranch near the town of Dunnellon. Two miles, close-by on Hwy 41 is Rainbow Springs where beautiful beaches offer some of the best swimming in Florida. Boat trips up the Rainbow River will give you glimpses of Florida wildlife as it may have looked before development of the area. Preserving the Rainbow River area has been a high priority for Florida Park Services so that future generations will also be able to enjoy this natural wonderland.
Lake Otting Park iis just one mile from the ranch. Here you can play tennis, ride horses or ATVs and enjoy the 100-year-old oak trees surrounding the park. This park is part of a Property Owners' Association that has allowed us to use it as long as we don't abuse it. Guests at Happy Acres Ranch can relax without hearing sirens and other city noises. Satellite televisions and local newspapers are available if you must have them, but if you want to separate yourself from your problems and the problems of the country for a few days, Happy Acres Ranch is your place. If you would like to visit the Ranch we ask you to call 352-489-8550 for an appointment or email us at: HAPPYACRESOCALA@aol.com.
