By Katie Teachout
The Journal 

Iron Legacy Ranch offers fun for all ages

 

Last updated 8/3/2021 at 9:16pm

Photos by Katie Teachout

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.

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."

Author Bio

Katie Teachout, Editor

Katie Teachout is the editor of The Ritzville Adams County Journal. Previously, she worked as a reporter at The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Oroville Gazette-Tribune, Northern Kittitas County Tribune and the Methow Valley News. She is a graduate of Western Washington University.

 

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