The teachers with four legs
Every horse has a story. Each one helps young people learn patience, trust, responsibility, and the freedom that grows from faithful care.
A wonderful lesson the horses have taught me is that a cowboy always takes care of his animals first.
The Bible teaches us to think of others’ needs before our own. That stands in sharp contrast to a world that often says to love yourself first. Choosing to live differently can change your life and the lives of those around you. This is how Christ lived.
Adopted as a yearling through Flying B Horsemanship in 2010, Dog was a wild Mustang from Elko, Nevada. He became Todd’s first preacher horse, sharing the gospel while training across multiple states with hundreds of kids and adults.
Linda and Doug Hamm offered Dakota to Todd when Dog was still too young to ride. Dakota was two years old and already started. They connected quickly and have worked together ever since.
Stryker was adopted in 2008 by Mike Branch in Mobile, Alabama. Once a stallion on the three-strike list, he was given a final opportunity and went on to help gentle another Mustang before coming to Freedom Ranch.
Buddy is the ranch mascot, a Jerusalem donkey donated by Sue Moran in spring 2022. He will happily follow a child anywhere for a little love and attention.
Santana is an older Tennessee Walking Horse donated by Sue Moran alongside Buddy and Ducky. The hope is that his calm experience will help young people learn to ride during camp.
Ducky is believed to be an Arabian pony. After a few years without work, he remembered exactly how to take care of young riders and is especially well suited for smaller teens.
Drifter came to the ranch through Mike Branch. She had served as Mike’s clinic horse and was mostly retired before being donated to work gently and patiently with the ministry’s kids.
Dandy was donated by Mike Moody in fall 2022 after years as a trail horse for Mike’s grandchildren. Short, stout, and fond of kids, Dandy is made for life at camp.