ANGELS IS HORSE HAIR
Meet Our Heard
“Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:15, NLT)
Rescuing horses is also a part of Living Hope Youth Ranch’s ministries. In October 2019, we rescued a starving little black mare who, in the condition she was in, likely would not have made it through the winter. She was given lots of nutritional food and supplements, had her teeth floated, and feet fixed, and was given a ton of love. Today we call this little mare Hope! She is one of the best horses the ranch has and a favorite among the children.
We have a DREAM: a dream of building a new barn so that we have more room to rescue more horses like Hope and give them a NEW LIFE. We are working on fundraising and looking for donations to be able to BUILD THAT DREAM! If you would like to help be a part of that dream coming true, please join us in donating to make this dream become a reality!
COPPER
Hi, I’m Copper… although you may hear them call me Copper Penny, or simply Penny!
I’m a 2005 Arabian gelding, and if you come to Living Hope Youth Ranch, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be the first horse to come say hello. I love meeting people, and I especially love children. In fact, I could happily follow kids around the field all day long simply because I find them so fascinating!
But my story isn’t just about being a friendly horse. My story is about God’s faithfulness, redemption, and the way He can use even the hardest things for His glory.
In 2017, I chose Isabelle the day I met her and before she ever chose me! From the very first time we met, there was something special between us. Over the years, Isabelle and I taught each other countless lessons. We learned about trust, patience, confidence, perseverance, and what it really means to have a partnership with a horse. I have always tried to take good care of her—and I still do.
Then, in 2018, my life changed forever when I was involved in a terrible trailer accident. It was a frightening and difficult experience, but looking back, I can see that God was working through it in ways I never could have understood at the time. That day, I saw God work many miracles. And somehow, through that experience, God began changing me, too.
I had always been a high-strung horse, but after the accident, I began to blossom into something different. God used something painful to mold me into a more caring, patient, and compassionate creature. What could have been the end of my story became part of the beginning of a new chapter.
Today, I am an amazing session horse at Living Hope Youth Ranch, and I get to do something I never could have imagined when I was a younger horse—I get to help children. My story reminds us that God can use all things for His glory if we allow Him to. He can take our hardest moments, our fears, our broken places, and our struggles and use them to shape us into something beautiful. I know this firsthand. “God is at work, and I get to be used to bring glory to His name.”
So come meet me. I’ll probably beat you to the gate! And while you’re here, maybe I can teach you a little something about trusting the Lord, finding hope in difficult circumstances, and believing that God really can use every part of our story for His glory.
COURAGE
I’m a 1994 Hackney-Arabian gelding, and I’d say it’s pretty fortunate that I was given the name Courage—because for quite some time, courage was something I had to learn.
I joined the ranch family back in 2018, before Living Hope Youth Ranch was even officially “a ranch.” I originally came to Bethany Martinez, one of the founders of Living Hope Youth Ranch, as her personal horse. Little did I know then that I would eventually become part of something so much bigger than myself.
Over the years, I have had the incredible privilege of giving many children their very first horseback ride. And I take that job seriously.
I may be getting older, and I may be getting slower, but when a little one climbs onto my back, I know that they are trusting me with something very important. I do my best to keep my riders safe, comfortable, and confident. I am about as safe as they come—and nearly as slow!
These days, my legs aren’t quite as strong as they once were. When I get tired, I can get a little trippy, so I do best at a nice, slow walk. But honestly, I’ve decided there’s nothing wrong with taking life a little slower. Sometimes, slow is exactly what we need.
I am mostly retired now, but I still get to serve the littlest children here at the ranch. I’ll take you on a peaceful, gentle ride while we work together on something much more important than riding a horse.
We’ll work on trust. We’ll work on confidence. We’ll work on courage.
Maybe you’re nervous about getting on a horse. Maybe you’re nervous about trying something new. Maybe there are things in life that make you afraid. That’s okay. You can take it one step at a time. And I’ll be right there with you.
When I’m not giving little ones rides, I get to spend most of my days free-ranging across the 88-acre ranch with my best friend, Copper, and the rest of my herd. I have to say, retirement is treating me pretty well! I’m an old horse living his best life—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I love belly scratches, I love treats, and I’ll happily accept both—even though I don’t have very many teeth left to enjoy those treats with! I may be an old guy, but I have a lot of love left to give. My greatest purpose now is simply to love the children who come through the gates of Living Hope Youth Ranch and remind them that they don’t have to be fearless to be brave.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is choosing to take the next step even when you’re afraid.
Kona - "Destroyer of all things"
Kona is a beautiful 2022 foundation Quarter Horse who came to Living Hope Youth Ranch as just a six-month-old filly. From the very beginning, it was clear that Kona was going to be something special—not just because of who she is as a horse, but because of the enormous personality packed inside her.
Kona absolutely loves people. In fact, she may love people more than any horse we’ve ever met! She has the sweetest, funniest puppy-dog personality and genuinely wants to be involved in whatever her people are doing. If there’s a person nearby, Kona wants to know what’s happening, what you’re doing, and most importantly… whether she can be part of it!
She is naturally curious, confident, and incredibly inquisitive. Nothing goes unnoticed when Kona is around. If you leave something out, there’s a very good chance Kona will find it, investigate it, and probably figure out what she can do with it. This has earned her one of her most famous ranch nicknames: "Kona the Destroyer of All Things!”
But underneath all of that mischievous curiosity is a horse who truly loves having a job. Kona thrives when she has something to do and someone to do it with. She loves learning, being involved, and having a purpose. Her personality makes her incredibly entertaining to be around, and her willingness to interact with people makes her a special part of the Living Hope Youth Ranch family.
Kona has grown from a curious six-month-old filly into a remarkable young mare who brings joy, laughter, energy, and a whole lot of personality wherever she goes. She keeps everyone on their toes, reminds us not to leave anything within reach, and has a way of making people smile simply by being Kona.
She may be a little mischievous, a little destructive, and endlessly curious—but that’s exactly what makes her Kona.
Kona isn’t just a horse at Living Hope Youth Ranch. She’s a personality, a companion, a teacher, and one of the ranch’s most unforgettable characters.
SARAH - Little Bear
Hi, I’m Sarah! Although around Living Hope Youth Ranch, you might hear me called Sarah Bear, Bear, or even Little Piggie. I have quite a collection of nicknames, but no matter what you call me, I’m still the same sweet little horse with a very big personality!
I’m a 1993 mare, which makes me the oldest horse at the ranch—and I just happen to be the smallest, too! I’m a miniature horse, but don’t let my size fool you. I may be little, but I have a full-size personality. In fact, I’m the lead mare around here, and I take that job very seriously. I love following the big horses around, keeping tabs on everyone, and, of course, bossing them around a little bit. Somebody has to keep those big horses in line!
I had a few babies during my younger years, but these days I’m happily retired. I’m much too old to be ridden, but that doesn’t mean I’m done having an important job. My favorite job now is loving on the children who come to the ranch.
I absolutely LOVE being brushed, scratched, petted, and fussed over. If a child wants to spend some time grooming me or simply standing beside me giving me scratches, I’m perfectly happy to oblige. I may not be able to carry a rider anymore, but I have plenty of love left to give.
There’s also something pretty special about me—you might think you’re meeting three different horses throughout the year! I change colors three times a year! Winter: I’m a beautiful gray-bay roan. Spring: I turn almost completely gray. And, Summer: I become mostly bay again.
I’m also blind in my left eye, but that certainly doesn’t stop me! I’ve learned how to navigate the ranch just fine, and I don’t let having one less eye keep me from enjoying life. I may be old. I may be tiny. I may be a little bossy. And I may have a few gray hairs—or a whole lot of them, depending on the season! But I am also one of the sweetest little horses you could ever meet.
My big heart, big personality, and the love I have for the children at Living Hope Youth Ranch have made me a very special part of this family. And because of me, the ranch will always have a miniature horse around. After all, every herd needs a little boss mare—and every child needs a tiny horse with a giant heart to love.
Jerico - Future Hope Horse
Jericho is a stunning 2024 foundation Quarter Horse who came to Living Hope Youth Ranch as a tiny six-month-old colt. He was purchased from the same breeder as Kona, making him another special addition to the ranch family.
There is no denying that Jericho is absolutely gorgeous. His unique grullo coloring, bold dorsal stripe, and distinctive leg webbing give him a look that immediately catches your eye. He is truly one of a kind, and we can’t wait to see how his beauty is matched by his personality and abilities as he grows.
For now, Jericho is perfectly content being a baby. He spends his days free-ranging with the herd across our 88 acres, growing, exploring, learning how to be a horse, and simply enjoying this season of his life. There is no rush to make him grow up before he’s ready. Right now, his job is to learn, mature, and enjoy being a young horse.
Jericho is scheduled to begin his formal training in the winter of 2026/2027, with the hope that he will be ready to join our youth sessions in the summer of 2027. While we don’t know exactly what his journey will look like yet, we are excited to discover it alongside him.
Every horse that becomes part of Living Hope Youth Ranch has a purpose, and we believe Jericho will eventually have an important role in helping young people experience the same things horses have taught so many of us—patience, trust, confidence, perseverance, forgiveness, and unconditional connection.
For now, Jericho gets to simply be Jericho: a beautiful young colt running across 88 acres, growing up with his herd, and enjoying the freedom of being a baby. Soon, the training will begin. And someday, hopefully, he will trade those wide-open pastures for a session arena, a young person beside him, and a new purpose.
River — The Sweetest Poop-Pile Professional
River is a 2022 model Mustang from the Palomino Buttes HMA who became part of the Living Hope Youth Ranch family after being purchased through the Teen and Oregon Mustang Challenge in 2024. Since 2025, River has been a special part of sessions at the ranch, where his calm, gentle personality has made him a wonderful horse to have around kids and people.
River is one of those horses who seems to have figured out the secret to life: take it easy, enjoy your people, and don’t work any harder than absolutely necessary. He is incredibly sweet, laid-back, and, if we’re being completely honest, just a little bit lazy—which his people at the ranch actually appreciate!
But River does have one very unique nighttime routine.
Despite having an 18’ x 20’ stall all to himself, River somehow manages to find the one thing he apparently considers the perfect place to sleep: a pile of poop. Every. Single. Night. No matter how clean his stall starts, River seems determined to wake up looking less like a beautiful light palomino and more like a brown-and-green Mustang. We’re not entirely sure why he has such an appreciation for poop piles, but River seems quite proud of his nightly tradition!
And then there’s his smile. One of River’s sweetest little quirks is that he smiles when you tickle his nose. Give him a little scratch or tickle around his nose, and out comes that adorable Mustang smile that makes it nearly impossible not to laugh and love him even more.
River may not always be the cleanest horse on the ranch, and he certainly isn’t in a hurry to get anywhere, but his gentle spirit, sweet personality, and calm demeanor make him a wonderful part of Living Hope Youth Ranch.
He reminds us that sometimes life is better when you slow down, enjoy the people around you, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Yao — The Shy Protector with a Big Heart
Yao is a very special 2015 model wild burro from Nevada who has found his way to Living Hope Youth Ranch. His journey from the Nevada desert to becoming a beloved member of our ranch family is one we are honored to be a part of.
Yao participated in the 2025 Burro Bonanza with Teens and Oregon Mustangs, where he was trained by Cynthia Fisher and went on to earn the incredible title of Grand Champion! His accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider the journey it takes for a wild burro to learn to trust, accept training, and work alongside a person.
In the fall of 2025, we had the privilege of bringing Yao to Living Hope Youth Ranch with the hope that he would eventually become one of our session equines. Yao is a bit different from some of our other horses. He is a very shy guy, and earning his trust takes time, patience, and consistency. He doesn’t immediately run up to greet people, and he needs time to decide that you’re someone he can trust.
But we believe there is a loving donkey underneath that shy exterior, and we’re committed to giving him the time and space he needs to discover that he is safe and loved here.
Yao is already an incredibly talented guy. Not only is he trained under saddle, but he is also driving trained and pulls a cart! His accomplishments show just how much potential he has, and we’re excited to continue building on the foundation that Cynthia helped create with him.
Yao has also taken on an important role within the herd. He is a herd protector, watching over his equine friends and taking his job seriously.
Theo
Theo is a 2020 model with a story that is truly special. Before becoming one of the most beloved horses at Living Hope Youth Ranch, Theo was a wild mustang roaming the South Steens of Oregon. His journey from wild mustang to trusted ranch horse is a beautiful testament to patience, partnership, and the incredible bond that can be built between a horse and his person.
In 2024, Theo was chosen to be trained by Isabelle Martinez for the Teens and Oregon Mustang Challenge. Isabelle spent countless hours building a relationship with Theo, teaching him to trust, introducing him to new experiences, and developing the incredible horse that he is today. Together, they competed in the challenge, showcasing just how far a wild mustang can come with the right person, time, patience, and love.
After the competition, Isabelle’s mom and dad purchased Theo at the auction, and that is when Theo officially became part of the Living Hope Youth Ranch family. Theo quickly became one of the favorites here at the ranch. He has the absolute best personality and is the kind of horse that makes everyone smile. And if you happen to have a treat in your hand, be prepared—Theo will happily smile for you! He knows a handful of fun tricks, many of which he learned thanks to his amazing trainer, Isabelle.
Theo was also Isabelle’s main mount for OHSET in both 2025 and 2026, proving that his abilities extend far beyond his beginnings as a wild mustang. This boy can truly do it all! From trail riding to showmanship, Western to English, jumping to cow work, drill and so much more, Theo is always ready to learn, work, and please his rider. He is incredibly well trained, willing, and dependable, but perhaps his greatest quality is simply his heart.
Theo is a sweet, kind gentleman who has gone from a wild mustang of the South Steens to a trusted partner, competitor, teacher, and beloved member of the Living Hope Youth Ranch family. His story is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we choose patience over pressure, relationship over fear, and believe in the potential that lies beneath the surface.
We are so thankful that Theo’s story brought him to Living Hope Youth Ranch. He is one special mustang, and we can’t wait to see all the lives he continues to touch.
