Is the word horse a proper noun?

The Word "ranch" when it does not being with a capital letter is not a proper noun. For example, look at this sentence: "The ranch was located in the Midwest." In this context, ranch is NOT a proper noun because it is not referring to the specific name of the ranch. (Also, using another meaning of the Word, the Word "ranch" in "ranch dressing" is also not a proper noun.) The Word "ranch" would be a proper noun if used in this context: "I spend my summer at Sunshine Ranch." Notice that "ranch" is capitalized in this case.