A resident saddling her chestnut horse in the arena on a clear morning

Stephenville, Texas · the Cowboy Capital

Keep your boots on. We'll handle the rest.

Cottages, apartments and every level of care on 160 acres of working ranch land along the Bosque River. Horses in the pasture, a garden that feeds the kitchen, nurses around the clock.

  • 160acres of pasture, pecan bottom and river
  • 14horses, half of them rescued
  • 4levels of care on one ranch

Plain talk

Built by ranch families for ranch families.

In 1997, a handful of Erath County dairy and cattle families got tired of watching their folks move to a city high-rise when the ranch got to be too much. So they bought 160 acres of pasture on the Bosque River, kept the barn, the pecan bottom and the stock tank, and built cottages where you can still see cattle from the porch.

Today Ironwood Ranch has cottages, apartments, assisted living, memory care and a skilled nursing center. Residents ride, garden, fish the river and run the Saturday farmers market. When somebody needs more care, it's here, staffed by people from Stephenville, Dublin and Granbury who know what a rancher means when he says he's fine.

— Clay Huckabee, executive director

A couple loading the garden cart with seedlings
  • 160acres of pasture, pecan bottom and river
  • 14horses, half of them rescued
  • 4levels of care on one ranch
  • 1997opened by Erath County ranch families

What sets us apart

What keeps folks busy

A resident with two horses in the barn
01

Noon dinner and supper in the Barn Commons

Chicken-fried steak on Tuesdays, brisket on Saturdays, vegetables from our own garden.

Included
A resident at work in the woodshop
02

Horse barn, riding arena and therapeutic riding program

Fourteen horses, gentle ones mostly, and a wrangler on staff.

Included
A resident carving in the woodshop
03

Two-acre garden and the Saturday farmers market

Included

We believe the people who worked this land should get to grow old on it. Fresh air, real work if you want it, a horse to scratch behind the ears, and a nurse down the hall when you need one. No one here has to trade the life they built for the care they need.

Rooms & suites

Places to hang your hat

Cottages and apartments for independent living, and private suites for assisted living and memory care.

Warmly lit rustic living room featuring a fireplace and wooden decor.
01

Ranch cottage

Two bedrooms, a stone fireplace and a deep porch facing the pasture, with a garage big enough for a pickup.

  • Two bedrooms
  • Pasture-view porch
  • Oversized garage
1,450 sq ft
A spacious and bright modern bedroom featuring minimalistic decor and neutral tones.
02

Barn Commons apartment

One-bedroom apartments a short walk from the dining room, the shop and the barn.

  • Full kitchen
  • Washer and dryer
  • Covered parking
820 sq ft
A bright, modern bedroom with grey armchairs and a stylish bed. Perfect for design inspiration.
03

Two-bedroom apartment

Corner apartments looking out over the river bottom, with room for a study or a guest bed.

  • Two baths
  • River view
  • Storage room
1,120 sq ft
Spacious bedroom featuring modern furniture and neutral colors with natural light.
04

Bunkhouse Hall suite

A private assisted living suite with a kitchenette and a window on the garden.

  • Kitchenette
  • Walk-in shower
  • Emergency call system
440 sq ft
Elegant modern bedroom with light decor, minimal furniture, and a fresh atmosphere.
05

Homestead House suite

A calm private room in memory care, opening onto the farmhouse porch.

  • Private bath
  • Porch access
  • Memory display case
320 sq ft

Our team

The hands

Clay Huckabee, Executive Director

Clay Huckabee

Executive Director

Rhonda Whitt, RN, Director of Nursing

Rhonda Whitt, RN

Director of Nursing

Dr. Samuel Reyes, Medical Director

Dr. Samuel Reyes

Medical Director

Jo Beth Carver, Director of Residency

Jo Beth Carver

Director of Residency

Meet the team

Sample family reviews

Straight talk from residents

I ran cattle for fifty-two years. I told my kids I'd move when they found me a place with a horse. They found fourteen.
Bud H.Resident since 2019
Mama sells her tomatoes at the Saturday market and keeps the money in a coffee can. She's ninety-one.
Darla P.Daughter of a resident
Dad had dementia and wouldn't settle anywhere. At Homestead House they let him help feed the horses. He calmed right down.
Kyle M.Son of a resident
My knee rehab was in the River Health Center. My wife drove the golf cart over from our cottage twice a day.
Ray T.Resident since 2017
I can see the pasture from my porch and the river from my kitchen. I didn't give up anything to move here.
Wanda S.Resident since 2020
They explained the contract like a neighbor would. No pressure. We signed a month later.
Jim and Lou Ann K.Residents since 2021
The nurses call us in Houston after every care meeting. We always know how Dad is.
Brent and Shelly D.Son and daughter-in-law of a resident
Cowboy church in the arena on Sunday morning. Best seat in the county.
Earl W.Resident since 2016
I fish the river three mornings a week. Haven't caught much. Haven't minded.
Dale R.Resident since 2018
Mama's last weeks were in the Health Center, with the window open to the pasture and the chaplain by her bed. It was right.
Peggy L.Daughter of a resident
A resident selling vegetables at the Saturday market

Our story

How the ranch came to be

Eight Erath County ranch and dairy families bought pasture on the river and kept the barn, the stock tank and the pecans.

Read our story

Ratings & recognition · sample

  • Sample: Best Senior Living, County Readers' Poll
  • Sample: Not-for-Profit Excellence Award
  • Sample: Top Workplace

Now hiring

Good pay, real benefits, a free meal every shift.

Visit

South on 281

Tour & office hours

  • Tours, Mon – Sat8a – 5p
  • Office, Mon – Fri8a – 5p
  • Families visitAny time

Families are welcome any hour. After dark, ring the bell at the Barn Commons.

The coffee's hot and the horses are fed. Come on out.

Call Clay or book a tour online.