Welcome to Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch

 

       "May the beauty of the horse in movement, be the way your life flows with the direction of our Creator"

 

                               If we can reach the youth of today, it is our future for tomorrow.

                               This is the vision of Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch. (IHCYR)

                               We believe in combining the therapeutic qualities of horses with

                               biblical principles to develop character and confidence.  John15:5

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IHCYR is a non-profit 501(c)3 CHA Program. We focus on Equine Education, Equine Assisted Learning/Therapy, Horse Rescue /Rehabilitation and Training.

 

Horses in our care will receive proper nutrition, veterinary and farrier care, updated vaccines, worming and training.

We do set a reasonable limit on the number of horses we can take in to ensure good quality care.

 

We rely on donations and the support through the equine classes. We offer the horses for adoption ONLY when it is best for the horse. We have several horses, ponies/ mini donkey that will forever call IHCYR their home.

To ensure safety around horses we need to observe horses, gain knowledge and always grow in our abilities.

It is important to take responsibility for our interactions as we grow in our understanding of how

God created these amazing and unique animals. Using effective communication (horse language- pressure/pain principles) with respect, to build a relationship with horses on the ground and when mounted.

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IHCYR Summer Sessions are offered the end of May thru July each year. Please contact us for registration. We will be offering 3-day session weeks. Registration is limited. Registration will begin March15 each year and will need to be completed by April 15 of each year. INFORMATION IS ON THE EQUINE EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS PAGE. Age 8 and up. 

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During the school year August thru May we focus on CAESA - Colorado Agribusiness Equine Science Academy, a tuition free K-12 homeschool enrichment program during the school year. (caesacademy.org) Registration for the upcoming school year for re-enrollment begins January 13, 2025. New enrollment will begin January 27, 2025.  registration is only done through the caesacademy.org website or through the links that will be emailed to families. 

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The CAESA Program supports the horses for IHCYR.  

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O.K. Corral Series is Authentic Equine-assisted work honors and integrates natural horse and herd behavior as a model for human mental and emotional health using the equine assisted philosophies developed by Greg Kersten, Founder of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. ​

Certified by O.K. Corral Series - EAP/EAL exercises, activities, approaches to safety, team building, inspiring confidence, building emotional strength. - These are Christ centered and focus on emotional health and growth through proven activities and exercises. Crisis management - nonverbal, emotional skills to make a " bad" situation "O.K." Equine Assisted Learning - EAL is offered by Susan Kamlan through IHCYR during our summer operation hours May - July by appointment.  Information is on the Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Therapy is on our Equine Assisted Learning page.

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Many People ask about Horsemanship Instruction and here at 

IHCYR we offer Educational classes, 3 days a week during our summer sessions.

 

WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES(WWH) Level 1 & ALL ABOUT HORSES (AAH) Level 2 and Level 3 SESSIONS. Focus  is on Equine Education/horsemanship skills by a CHA Instructor, or Individual who has passed CHA Levels by a Certified Instructor.

.Information is on the  Programs and Equine Education Page.

​We offer offsite trail riding when Level 2/3 is completed in the sessions. These sessions have a fee involved for trailering and the ride time -This is only offered by appointment in the summertime.

  

Certified Horsemanship Association's mission is to advance excellence in horsemanship, safety and education the Safe, Fun and effective CHA way!

Donations and this funding make it possible to continue offering these classes and support the horses and mission to serve youth and individuals in our community along with our continued work for rescue, rehabilitation, care and training of horses in our programs.  All horses here are involved in all or in some aspect of IHCYR.

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Contact us by text or email at ihcyranch@yahoo.com or 719-243-0843 if you are interested

in any the programs. 

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OUR PRECIOUS HORSES

We care for the horses and offer rehabilitation/rescue, training to horses and ponies,

and various other animals since 2003.   Countless horses have been adopted or donated to other programs or individuals. Each horse has their own story or have their wings! Information is on Our Story page.

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Pima Medical School Labs - We have been a site for Pima Medical School for over 11 years and are thankful for the wonderful partnership. This enables our horses to have their bi -annual vaccines and worming along with many other opportunities to care for your horses. Thank you to everyone who makes this possibly with your horses! 

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We depend on your support! The horses depend on you!

 

SMALL MONTHLY DONATIONS MAKE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT - IF 100 PEOPLE DONATED $10

MONTHLY, WHAT A DIFFERENCE WE TO OUR PROGRAMS AND RESCUE WORK.

Thank you, Supporters! - listed on the "The Story Page for more information"​

HERE IS THE BREAKDOWN FOR IHCYR FOR A HEALTHY HORSE (INJURED HORSES AND OR THOSE WITH MEDICAL NEEDS THE COST IS GREATER) 

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FARRIER CARE -$60 or more PER HORSE EVERY 7 - 8 WEEKS 

HAY FOR EACH HORSE IS APPROX $200 A MONTH, SOME ARE HIGHER - HORSES REQUIRE HAY, - 2-2.5% of their body weight in feed daily.

SOME NEED GRAIN AND ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS  and medications for horses. Average grain is 3 lbs a day, some older horses are on a full Senior grain diet

THE EQUIPRIDE IS $69 FOR A 50 LB BAG. Sturdy Horse Hemp from San Luis Valley - oil - 52$ gal 45lb bag 35$  

HORSES NEED THEIR TEETH CHECKED AND OR FLOATED EACH YEAR price varies PER HORSE - 150$-175.

ELECTRICITY GOES UP IN THE WINTER WITH THE WATER HEATERS.FUEL for the tractor to move hay and clean large paddocks.

DUMPSTER cost for weekly manure removal for what we do not compost. $98 per month.

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WE WANT TO THANK THE FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR EQUINE CLASSES AND SESSIONS TO

SUPPORT OUR HORSES; this is why we OFFER CLASSES.  WE ARE EXTREMELY THANKFUL

FOR THE SUPPORT FROM PIMA MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR OUR SHOTS AND WORMING.

Tax Deductible donations are greatly appreciated to support farrier care, veterinary care, special feeds,

teeth floating and Feed.

Please use: pay pal Donation button on this page and put the first 

name of who it is for in the message box,

or you can make out a check when you come to IHCYR or cash in our donation box. 

 

SITE GUIDE:

HOME:  Overview of our Mission

ABOUT US:  How IHCYR started, past and current Board Members

PROGRAMS: What We Do - Classes 

EQUINE EDUCATION:  Classes, Volunteering

CONTACT US: Phone, Email, Address, Map

EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING:  Information for Classes

THE STORY:  The Vision and Rescue/Rehab Horses

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PLEASE CONTACT US AT 719-243-0843 - Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch for events, updates or cancellations prior

to attending any activities. You can text directly visit the  Facebook site - Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch  for updates and closures. 

We appreciate volunteers who have horse experience.

If you do not have any experience, we offer the equine classes to gain experience.