A shimmering lake rests at the heart of the property, inviting riders and horses to cool off on summer afternoons.
“The horses love [the lake],” barn manager Colleen Schehr said. “I found them swimming on their own when we let them out on the pasture. Sometimes at the end of a really hot day, we all like to go jump in.”
The covered arena offers shade from the Texas sun, while acres of scenic paths wind through the ranch.
Inspired by a daughter’s passion
The ranch’s story began with a teenager’s dream.
“What inspired [Twisted Trail Ranch] is Leah, our daughter,” owner John McCracken said. “Her love for horses is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We had the opportunity ... to get our own horse farm, build a program and build something for her future and the family’s future, so we all jumped in.”
From birthday parties, pony rides, & paint-a-pony days to riding lessons and special celebrations, the property is alive with the sound of laughter and hoofbeats.
“The kids are always supervised, ... and when they’re mounting a horse, they’re always going to have a helmet on,” Leah McCracken said. “We also teach them safety around horses, [such as] never standing behind a horse, and if they have to walk behind a horse, we teach them how to do that safely.”
Matching riders and horses
Matching a horse to a rider is an art, not an afterthought.
“Just like people, horses have personalities, so we have to match them with the right person. Confidence is key when it comes to horses,” Colleen Schehr said.
For a young rider named Bailey, that careful pairing made all the difference.
“One student named Bailey was terrified to even sit on a horse. ... Then recently, I found her a horse that she’s extremely comfortable on,” Leah McCracken said. “Now she and I are cantering and loping through the fields. ... All she wants to do is lope around. ... She’s not nervous at all anymore.”
Dreams for the future
While children’s programs remain the primary focus, Twisted Trail Ranch is also planning experiences for adults, especially women looking to reconnect with the “horse girl” they once were.
“I’d like to try to get women to remember that horse girl they had inside of them before life happened with kids, jobs and people to take care of,” Colleen Schehr said. “[I want them] to come out here and take care of themselves.”
These experiences could include riding under twinkling lights, gathering around a bonfire and enjoying a night free from responsibilities.
The ranch will also host its Fall Festival, offering hayrides, pumpkins and a chance to meet a brand-new Belgian mare.
Your invitation to ride
For now, Twisted Trail Ranch remains a haven where young riders can build skills, gain confidence and create lifelong memories surrounded by the natural beauty of the Texas countryside.
Contact Twisted Trail Ranch today to schedule a lesson, book an event or learn more about upcoming programs.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
