Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of?Commerce President Matt Zmolek and Coordinator Cassie Sokol (center) help display the banner for the “Barb” Wire Ranch in welcoming them to the Chamber on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Rex Crain and Susan Crain also hold the banner with Garritt Zimmerman (left) and Ryan Crain with two of the horses used in therapy and training. Chronicle photos/John Speer

“These horses are our life – we love these horses. Why wouldn’t we want to share them?” Susan Crain said last week of the “Barb” Wire Ranch endeavor she and her husband, Ryan, are developing on their acreage on the eastern outskirts of Toledo.

What they are doing is offering “equine therapy” geared to people of all ages with special needs.

They believe the interaction with their horses for those with physical or emotional needs has a healing and uplifting effect.

Some of the benefits they list for those taking part in the equine therapy program include “improved circulation, coordination, agility, balance, confidence and development of self-esteem, self-image and confidence in one’s self.”

In addition, they say they it “encourages the righting of reflexes, spinal reflexes and head and neck control.”

Susan Crain (left) leads a tour of the “Barb” Wire Ranch for Tama-Toledo Chamber representatives Cassie Sokol and Matt Zmolek on Tuesday, Jan. 5. She credits volunteers for helping them build the facilities.

Western Riding Lessons

“Barb” Wire Ranch also offers traditional western riding lessons for all levels of riders both in groups and in private sessions. You can learn to ride or hone your skills in advanced training.

Sessions are set up for four and six week periods along with individual lessons available. Also available are group trail rides, and special activities including birthday parties and parent-child nights.

A schedule is already in place with therapy and riding skills sessions set to begin in April. Susan said people are invited to ride on winter days now when the weather is cooperative.

The ranch currently has five horses and two mules in the program. Susan describes each as having it’s own personality and ability to bond with riders.

"Barb" Wire Ranch at the Toledo Stoplight Festival- July, 2015.

Susan Crain has had a wealth of experience with the riding therapy program having operated one on a larger scale in Minnesota for a number of years. Ryan also has long been associated with horses and related activities.

Dedicated to Barb Crain

The important inspiration they have for the “Barb” Wire Ranch and the therapy it offers is Ryan’s mother, the late Barb Crain, for whom it was named.

In their brochure they state the ranch “was created in honor of Barb” who was battling stage 4 brain cancer in December, 2014, when the ranch was born.”

Susan said they were able to provide their business card to her at Christmas that year and “she was able to see us up and running” before her passing in June, 2015.

Barb had been transportation secretary for the south Tama School District before her illness. Previously she had been a court reporter and typesetter for The Chronicle and Tama News-Herald.

Ryan’s father, Rex, Ryan’s son, Garritt Zimmerman, Ryan’s sister, Brenda, along with many friends are recognized by Susan and Ryan for volunteering their time to aid in the ranch development.

They are looking to expand from an outdoor riding arena to a building which will provide a true indoor facility.

Ryan also works at Pioneer Hi-Bred, Toledo, and is a member of the Toledo Fire Department.

Susan is employed at the South Tama Middle School in Toledo.