Nacogdoches Boys Ranch Horses

Nacogdoches Boys Ranch uses horses as an individual adjunct to it's Residential Treatment Program for Emotionally Disturbed Children. Whether it is training, showing, bathing, brushing, foaling, gelding, or just scooping poop, horses have all kinds of valuable lessons to teach.

We started the program in 1988 with two donated horses, gradually trading them in for pedigreed Arabians, which bred and showed at halter. Though very successful with our Arabians, we had very little opportunities to show. We began to acquire Quarter Horses a few years ago and concentrated on Halter bloodlines and showing at halter.

We find that our boys are willing to work hard and make improvements for the "privilege" of being involved in the horse program. Every boy starts at the beginning and the first tool on learns to use when working with the horses is a shovel. As boys progress and show ability, he can go from being part of the barn crew, to being chosen for the show crew, to being allowed to show horses in the AQHYA and the Palomino Youth Association.

"There is something about the outside of a horse
that is good for the inside of a man."
-Winston Churchill