Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Hannah Giesen attempts to put a bridle on 5th Gear, a gentle horse accustomed to riders of all levels of experience at Iron Legacy Ranch in Ralston.
Zarina Jones, 10, brushes Emet's tail before he's saddled up for a riding lesson. Riders are taught grooming techniques for before and after riding, including cleaning hooves.
A game is played after riding lessons during July 21's space-themed day with kids trying to keep an earth ball in the air while asteroids are thrown at it. Asked how she manages to come up with games and crafts for different themed days, Iron Legacy Ranch owner Heidi Tracy (pictured) replied, "A wild imagination and You-Tube."
Hannah Giesen, 7, rests for a moment after her riding lesson and before other activities begin. A long-time rider at the ranch, she said her favorite thing about the day camps was riding horses and doing other things. Each day includes crafts, games, and a lesson about the day's theme. On Survival Day, kids made bracelets with compasses set inside and learned to use them; along with how to find and filter water, and find shelter and food in different topographical environments.
Instructor Grace Saint John shows Paisley Phillips and Trillium Herold, both 5, how to take off the saddle and tack after their riding lesson July 13. Asked her favorite thing about teaching at Iron Legacy Ranch, Saint John quickly responded, "The community. It's literally family. They're very kind, accepting and giving." This is her second summer instructing at the ranch, after starting off with riding lessons and getting further involved through the local 4-H club Saddle Warmers.
Ruby age 5, climbs aboard a pony in the indoor riding arena at Iron Legacy Ranch under the watchful eye of instructor Jordyn Hutchens, July 21.
Sephra Cook, 9, washes off Emet after a riding lesson at Iron Legacy Ranch July 13. "He's just a good old boy. He's 15," Cook said. "He likes to jump a little, and ever since I first heard about jumping, I wanted to try it. I love it. The first time I tried it, I felt like I was flying."
RITZVILLE – Day camps of horse back riding lessons are in full swing at Iron Legacy Ranch near Ralston this summer.
The Ranch, located at 651 N. Benzel Road, is owned by Heidi Tracy and her husband, Ryan. Heidi Tracy is a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructor.
"Here at Iron Legacy Ranch, we use horses to connect with people where they are at," Tracy said. "We have found in our own lives that horses are an incredible tool to connect with ourselves and others, the way God intended."
Tracy said there are many life skills one can learn from and with horses.
"Our passion is to provide a safe, loving, positive, encouraging, educational environment for others to make that connection with a horse."
Also managing the ranch and helping with riding lessons and everything else the ranch offers are Heidi parents, Phil and Lisa Peterson. Heidi said she grew up in the camping world with horses, as the Petersons ran Miracle Ranch in Gig Harbor; a Christian ranch with boating, archery and up to 70 horses.
Tracy said she and her husband, who owns Legacy Telecommunications in Ritzville, moved to the area in 2006.
"He started a shop here, and we moved over. We got this place and started it up, and one thing led to another, and we ended up with an equestrian place. So God's been good," Tracy said.
She said the Iron Legacy Ranch offered week-long camps for two years, but now have day camp riding lessons as well as more specialized clinics. Lessons include English or Western riding, as well as vaulting.
Tracy said a recent combination Bible study/horse riding event was especially popular.
"It's for ladies with or without kids; with baby sitting provided here," Tracy said. "It was very successful and popular; the moms absolutely loved it."
The ranch also offers haul-in memberships for those with their own horses to use their indoor or arenas. The arenas are rented out for half days and special events.
Cattle is raised on the ranch, which is butchered in Odessa and sold as Holy Cow Better Beef.
Future plans for the ranch include a trail course that is part way constructed.
"We needed lumber to finish some of it, so it's at a standstill," Tracy said, "as well as a boarding facility."
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