2023 – A New Beginning!
2020 brought Covid to the world and changes to the ranch. Not only did the pandemic cause a closure of the ranch, we also lost our property and facilities that had been home to the L5 Youth Ranch since 2006. 2021 was the building of a new barn, ground work for a new arena and the loss of one of our most loved horses, Smoke. 2022 brought the new arena to a reality and another loss, Gus, one of our original horses that had been there from the beginning of the ranch passed away. We have experienced heartache and blessings and are excited to open again in the spring of 2023.
At L5YR each child is paired with one horse and one leader and given a private session that best serves their individual needs. Instead of being lost in a group, each child is nurtured by a leader who shares in their private tears and victories. Through hands-on experience, volunteers teach kids the value of life, family, faith, and trust. The sessions are not focused on a rigid impersonal schedule but rather on relationship based individual need. Kids have the freedom to decide how to spend their time at the ranch. After a short chore to gain personal investment into their time, they may want to ride, sometimes just brush a horse and share with someone who won’t judge them. Other times a child might just need to do some “ranch work” to release some energy or learn lessons with a horse in the round pen that can be incorporated into their personal life. Our focus is on what the child’s need is at that particular time in their life. Horses are “live in the moment” type animals, and we parallel that in our sessions.
There is no cost for our program., we are free to any child in need. Any child can come out while the ranch is operating, however individual sessions, tours and visits are by appointment only. L5YR only has outdoor facilities, and operates April – September yearly. Space is limited each summer in accordance with available resources. Check our our FAQ and please download and complete the release form and attach the Nebraska Equine Activity Statute to bring with you on your first visit.
Nebraska Equine Activity Statute
