Second Hearts Ranch is a dream the Blair family has had for many years.  We have lived in Los Alamos since 2006 and have had livestock and horses since 2008 here in Los Alamos and Wite Rock.  We started at the stables when our kids were young and we wanted them to have the farm and garden experience that has been so important to both Melissa and Michael.  Jackson rode his first horse at 9 months and received his first horse at age 2.  Gypsy was the start of a love and passion project for the family.  He was a retired forest ranger’s horse and had taken his owner all over New Mexico.  After Gypsy the horse, more animals followed.  We got sheep and goats, cows, more horses and chickens followed.  We started a garden on the property along with the livestock.  The garden was Michael’s love and he taught our kids and all their friends how to grow food.  The animals were Melissa’s passion and she shared her love with the community.  Hosting playgroups and pony rides and many more farm experiences for the community.  

As Jackson and Bella grew up they learned how to grow food, ride horses, collect eggs and many other farm chores.  As the family grew we hosted many school field trips to our barn at the stables.  Every year bringing the kids of LAPS to the farm.  We hatched eggs in their classes, and we brought animals to the classroom.  Anything to give the kids in our community access to a way of life that is dying around the country as more and more farm land is taken over by the cities and suburbs.

We had a goal of moving to Pajarito Acres and owning our own slice of heaven.  10 years later this became a reality and we moved onto 4 acres in Pajarito Acres in White Rock, NM.  Jackson and Bella’s interest in farm life waned as they got older but my passion continued.  Now in April of 2026 Second Hearts Ranch and Petting Zoo will open to the public.  My goal in this adventure is to bring the opportunity to this community that does not currently exist.  We will open a petting zoo to include horses, goats, sheep, a donkey, a mini cow and a llama.  We will be open to the public certain hours of the week and will provide private and group riding lessons to the community.  We will also host a special animal encounter birthday party on the weekends.  

Melissa Blair, owner of Second Hearts Ranch and Petting Zoo,  has been involved in agriculture since 1996.  I started my livestock adventure with 1 very special lamb, Disco Fluff (don't judge me, I was 13), and from there my passion extended to raising purebred livestock.  I grew up with sheep, goats, and cows.  I was involved with livestock judging and made it to the state competition every year.  I went on to study animal science in college at Oklahoma State University from 2000-2005 and graduated with a BS in Animal Science and a minor in Agricultural Economics.  I moved to Los Alamos County in 2006 and have been here with my husband, Michael, and children, Jackson (20) and Bella (18).  I have been riding horses since 2008 and have owned livestock for almost 30 years.  I am an experienced equestrian here in Los Alamos on my 4 acres in White Rock.  I believe agriculture and farming have changed my life and I want the kids of the future to have the experience of being around animals that they don’t have in their house.  I want kids to understand where their food comes from and experience the true love animals can bring to your life.  That's why I started Second Hearts Ranch.