Mount Carmel Youth photos

Students ride horses as part of our young adult program. Combined with our outdoor work adventure, this helps young men overcome substance abuse.

Since MTCYR is not a "Dude" Ranch, we do not recommend that the troubled man ride our horses while he makes his initial adjustment to the first phase of our program. Trust, work ethic, self-motivation, and a sense of responsibility are key factors in behavior improvement and in determining the young man's progress as he becomes more closely associated with the horse. Riding a horse has many responsibilities attached to it; successful horsemanship requires many hours of study and a desire to learn about horses.

As at-risk young adults enter our initial Program they are introduced to a way of living that resembles an 1880's lifestyle. They live in a log house and cook their food in a log kitchen or outdoors. They also take care of ranch animals including cows, calves, horses, dogs and cats. They learn how to irrigate crops, grow a vegetable garden, and assist in the harvest of hay and corn.

A Life Changing Experience for struggling young men, parents and the entire family.

The troubled young man will also learn things about range management, natural spring development, and living the "simple" way of life. During these lifestyle changes the horse plays an important role in the "Real Life" therapy for the troubled youth. Several staff members here at MTCYR are certified in equine therapy. The horse is used to determine and assist the young man in recognizing his problems and how to deal with them. As a man develops a relationship with his new environment and becomes more knowledgeable and responsible, he will be allowed to experience more of the daily chores and events that make ranch life a maturing and challenging life experience. MTCYR horses are ranch horses in every sense of the word.

Please note: Our program is located on a remote rural ranch in back to basics, frontier style buildings without any frills. If you are looking for luxurious accommodations for your son in a resort like setting this is not the place to send him!

If you want your son to appreciate and not take for granted what has been provided for him by you, then our Ranch is the place to help him grow in appreciation and thanksgiving for all that he has received in his life. Young men that engage in our program leave here with a deeper respect for authority, self-discipline, and a new work ethic that will help them be successful in holding down a job or going to college.