Lifer's and Ranch Hands program is retiring.

After a decade of offering a 'Lifers' program, or what we've been calling 'Ranch Hands' in Oliver, we are retiring these programs.

Our original group of Lifers pictured here in 2017. From left to right: Cassie riding Quiggly, Talyn riding Cinderella, Reanna riding Buttercup, Rachel riding Herbie, and Audrey riding Ruby.

Lifers and Ranch Hands were the youth who after a few riding lessons had that certain twinkle in their eye. They were the young riders who were past the point of no return when it came to deterring them from horsin’ around - even when it came to the muckiest, dustiest, and dirtiest types of grunt work required to care for the majestic steed who had clearly stolen their heart.

These programs offered the next best thing to the full commitment of horse ownership. Participants became the ‘Sr’ client in charge of a designated Riding 4 Life horse, and could begin the hands on journey of learning all about the lifestyle that comes along with a love of horses.

Our Lifers were also the first to become intern instructors and they helped us launch all of our beginner programs. Before then, Riding 4 Life offered mainly therapeutic programs with very little availability for more mainstream beginners.

Recently however, these two programs have asked a lot of our horses, our time, and our resources without a fair exchange from their participants. Life in the South Okanagan seems to be shifting, and families seem to be struggling to support their teens to meet the time and attendance commitments required for programs like these to work well for everyone.

So, we've decided to end these programs and make way for more opportunities for a broader range of our clients, and as of June 21st Ranch Hands and Lifers will officially retire.

As a replacement, however, we are offering a working student program in hopes of offering more flexibility and a realistic value exchange for participants. For more details about that one see the link here.

This also frees up our horses and staff to offer more spots in our usual roster, as well as some additional programs that most of our clients can book into in addition to their usual sessional program. Check out the links below for those details. Current Lifers/Ranch Hands are of course eligible for most of our summer programs as well as our upcoming fall session.

Sunday Trail Rides at Rooted Stone

Saturday Sessions with Leann at the Ranch

Ranch Camp-out

Camp-out at Rooted Stone

Working Student Program

Trevor Mertes Clinic - September 11, 12, 13