Rescue

“Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:15, NLT) 

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was founded in 1995 on four pillars, the first being, “Rescue the Equine.” Although some of our herd have been received through loving homes—many have been rescued from severe circumstances of neglect, starvation and abuse. Because we’re a rescue and rehabilitation facility, our horses come to us in every imaginable way. We work closely with our community, local Sheriff’s Department and equine surgery center. CPYR has no law enforcement abilities and therefore, cannot “confiscate” horses in need. Consequently—their freedom is not free—the Ranch must purchase nearly every horse it rescues. To date, Crystal Peaks has assisted in the rescue of more than three hundred horses. 

The nature of rescue is to redeem, rehabilitate and release. Many horses the Ranch acquires gain healing and then find safe and loving homes. Other new arrivals demonstrate a unique love for people and thereby choose to stay and serve the children of Crystal Peaks. The Ranch typically supports between twenty-five to thirty-five resident horses.

Herd Family

“God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” (Psalm 68:6a, NLT)

God created horses to live together as an intimate herd family. As much as we’re able, Crystal Peaks strives to honor God’s design by allowing all our horses to live together within a single group. Once a new rescue has arrived and is carefully integrated, they join the herd and learn the value of existing within a family.

Horses want to experience life side by side. For those who are willing to learn, they can teach us volumes about living in balance within a community. Often, we watch in amazement as beautiful family dynamics unfold among these beloved friends. Daily, many companions will choose to share the same pile of hay or stand quietly together in peaceful rest. We often observe older horses disciplining the young, teaching them the vital need for honor and respect within a family. In turn, those who can see lend their sight by leading their blind equine elders. And without fail, the young and playful bring humor and vitality to the aged.

At the Ranch, each horse fills a special role within their family unit while also serving in ministry with their unique nature and gifting. To help facilitate the best care possible, we have organized our herd into three primary groups:

Veteran Horses​    |   Session Horses     |   Training Horses

Although our horses have been arranged into generalized positions within our program, each equine is loved and handled as a rare gift. Together, our treasured herd of individuals form a single beautiful family. This same principle is found in Scripture. While the family—the “body” of Christ is one unit—it has many members.  

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)