Cherokee Outlaw Ranch represents a blend of passion, resilience, and community support, transforming lives—one horse and one child at a time. With the determination and vision of its Founder, Ty Nordic, and his wife, Amy, the ranch serves as a beacon of hope and healing in the Conroe area.
What started as a Longhorn ranch for the Nordics, the idea evolved into a sanctuary for abandoned and abused horses. Cherokee Outlaw Ranch has become a haven for horses in need and a therapeutic retreat for children and families.
Longhorns are always going through fences into neighbors' pastures. Nordic said, “We decided to sell the Longhorns after a lady abandoned a horse near us, which we took in. That got us thinking about the broader issue.”
Through research, Nordic discovered a significant problem with abandoned and abused horses in the area, redirecting his focus toward rescuing horses. His background as a strength and conditioning coach for 30 years, primarily working with kids and athletes, inspired him to combine his love for horses with his passion for helping children.
“When Hurricane Harvey hit the Woodlands, I was the director of athletic performance at Legend Sports Complex, and people started reaching out to us,” Nordic explained. “They’d heard about what we were doing and began donating horses, not always from abuse but sometimes because their elderly owners could no longer care for them.”
Initially, Nordic and his wife, who works full-time as an executive flight attendant, funded the project themselves. However, the couple soon became overwhelmed by the costs and labor involved.
“We pretty much blew through our life savings at the beginning,” Nordic admitted. “Now, with donations, we’re able to keep it going without having to fund it ourselves anymore."
While the physical demands of running the ranch are significant, Nordic finds the emotional rewards make it worthwhile. He describes the transformation as simply amazing.
“Seeing the difference in the kids when they arrive — their demeanor, their shyness — and then watching them open up and smile after spending time with the horses is incredibly rewarding,” Nordic said. “We’ve had moms in tears, telling us their kids don’t show this kind of joy anywhere else.”
The ranch works with various groups and individuals to provide an outlet for kids with challenges. Nordic said that the horses help build their confidence and provide a sense of control and accomplishment.
“Here they are, controlling a thousand-pound animal and learning to communicate with it,” Nordic said. “It shows them they can do things they didn’t think they could, which boosts their confidence in other areas of their life.”
Cherokee Outlaw Ranch operates outside of its nonprofit work by offering trail rides, lessons, and special events for the general public. One popular offering is a romantic evening trail ride for couples, complete with dinner and a campfire.
Nordic remains passionate about the ranch’s mission and optimistic about its future.
“We’re trying to raise money for some improvements, like the covered arena, but it’s down the road,” he said. “For now, we’re grateful for what we’ve accomplished and excited about the lives we’re impacting, both horse and human.”
For more information about Cherokee Outlaw Ranch or to support their mission, visit cherokeeoutlawranch.org.
One of Ty's goals is to build a covered riding arena. The brutal Texas summer heat limits kids' time with the horses. He believes a shaded area with fans would improve the experience.
“Right now, all the horses are just in the pasture,” he said. “We do have a covered barn for bad weather, but we don’t have fancy stalls. They get to live like horses were meant to live, roaming around and being free.”
They operate on 28 acres, which is a bit small for their number of horses, but they hope to expand the ranch by acquiring 10 acres that border their property.