How it all came to be...
Our story could easily begin with "Once upon a time...," however, that would be far too cliché for our taste. Instead, we have decided to tell our story beginning with...That time we...
...Lived Military Life
George Hilgendorf began his working life as a dentist. Patriotism and an offer of good benefits led him into the Navy in 1979, where he remained for three years. Then Naval Lieutenant Hilgendorf became a reservist while maintaining a dental practice in Fort Collins, Colo., for the next nine years. In 1989, Hilgendorf and wife Kathy were married. In 1991, Hilgendorf, whose rank had advanced to Commander, was called into active duty during Operation Desert Storm. His return to Colorado proved to be nearly as tenuous as life in a war zone. The property where Hilgendorf’s dental practice was located was abruptly sold, forcing an extremely brief move to another area of town. In 1992, Hilgendorf went into extended active duty as a reservist and moved his family to Jacksonville, Fl. A lengthy Naval career ended in 1996 when an Air Force recruiter convinced him to pursue dentistry in that branch of service. Hilgendorf resigned his Navy commission after Congress ratified his Air Force one. He immediately reported to base in Birmingham, Ala., for training. From there, he served stateside and in Germany for three years, Korea for one and Japan for two. George retired from military service in August 2016.
...Retured to Colorado
George and Kathy agreed that someday they’d like to firmly plant roots in a farm/ranch setting. Kathy had grown up around ranches. George’s sister Debra had long-owned horses. The siblings had ridden together as children, including on vacations from age one until into their teens on their parents’ 10 acres near Rocky Mountain National Park, just below Long’s Peak. George recalled that nearby Columbine JJK Ranch used to allow the children to take out horses on their own for an entire day, which would now be an unheard of, and potentially litigious, courtesy. The Hilgendorfs returned from Japan to Fort Collins in 2011, and in November 2012, they purchased their perfect place to firmly plant their roots; 40 achers they later christened Hold Your Horses Ranch.
...Gave Birth to Hold UR Horses Ranch
Kathy had rescued an abused horse, a gelding wearing an ingrown halter cutting into his face and sporting numerous welts. She’d initially boarded him out after the 2011 move to Fort Collins, then moved him to the Wellington property. As surely as he healed, an idea more fully evolved to build an actual working ranch. The Hilgendorfs first bought two calves, then a flock of chickens. In spring 2014, three miniature horse yearlings trotted onto the scene, followed closely in June by two three-year-old, full-sized mares, and shortly after, turkeys.
...Developed our Vision
To grow chemical-free food products and support themselves and neighbors through such concepts as bartering. Hold UR Houses Ranch strives to keep overhead low so it can offer grass-fed, organic beef at an affordable price.
Reference
Original Article: Metzger, M. (2016). The Fence Post. https://www.thefencepost.com/news/from-military-man-to-rancher-coloradan-retires-to-farm-life/
Jason and Kristen join the team.
A family ranch would not be family without the kids. Jason, who is George and Kathy's oldest son, and Kristen, Jason's wife, recently moved to the Ranch to lend a helping hand
Jason is a military vet, a former firefighter\medic, and is working on a PhD in Organizational Psychology. Jason is a Asset Protection\Loss Prevention professional who is a specialist at maximizing sales and profitability by reducing unnecessary loss of assets. Jason has worked with the human society where he gained experience working with animals of all shapes and sizes, and studied methods for training dogs with behavioral difficulties.
Kristen is a parks and rec professional with years of experience working in the community, creating a fun and safe outdoor\indoor experience that all ages can enjoy. Kristen is second to none when it comes to even planning, marketing and media, project planning, and parks and facility maintenance or multiple facilities. Before coming to the ranch Kristen worked at the Boys and Girls Club as a unit director.
Meet Duke, our sir and senior cattle dog!
Meet Duchess, dam and family dog!
Meet Estes, our mini-aussie and chicken herder!
Meet Sig, one of our aussie-doodle
Meet liberty, one of the sister Aussie-doodle
Meet Chase, our Corgi-Retriever and most senior puppy
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