Some of the best places in Oklahoma don’t come with a gift shop or a giant sign by the highway. I went looking for animals and found a quiet ranch where horses graze, hay bales roll out to the pasture, and stray cats get a second chance.
It isn’t a petting zoo, and it never pretends to be one. Still, for horse owners and animal lovers, it might be the kind of place that sticks with you long after the drive home.
A Working Stable, Not a Petting Zoo
First things first, so nobody packs the minivan with the wrong idea. This spot is a horse boarding stable, not a kids’ animal park with kangaroos or zebras.
You won’t find ticket booths, snack stands, or feeding cups here.
What you will find is a self-boarding facility where horse owners keep their animals on pasture and handle much of the daily care themselves. The ranch provides the land, the hay, and a watchful set of eyes.
Owners show up to feed, brush, ride, and simply spend time with their horses.
That setup matters, because self-boarding is often one of the more affordable ways to keep a horse. Full-care barns can cost a lot more each month, since staff handle everything.
Here, you trade some convenience for savings and freedom.
Families who already own horses, or who are thinking about buying their first one, are the real audience. Kids who ride will feel right at home among the fence lines and grassy fields.
For everyone else, it’s worth knowing what kind of place this is before you plan a visit. Call ahead first, since it’s a working ranch and not a public attraction with open gates.
Bobby and Jill Jordan’s Long Love of Horses
Behind every small ranch is somebody who gets up before sunrise, and here that somebody is a married pair named Bobby and Jill Jordan. Visitors describe them as warm, friendly, and easy to work with.
Several boarders say the couple treats each horse almost like one of their own.
Their story with horses goes back more than a decade in the area. According to people familiar with the operation, the Jordans have run a horse boarding business for over ten years.
That kind of staying power says a lot in a field where small barns open and close all the time.
One family who doesn’t even own horses liked the ranch so much they picked it as the backdrop for their family photos in the fall of 2024. That’s a pretty good sign the property has charm.
It also shows how welcoming the owners can be to neighbors and friends.
Not every experience has been glowing, to be fair. A couple of former boarders describe clashes with the owner and felt the communication style was too forceful for them.
Like any family business, personalities play a big role, so a friendly conversation and a walk around the property before signing on is a smart move.
Hay Runs, Weather Checks, and Fireworks Updates
Picture a stormy Oklahoma night, the kind where thunder rattles the windows and you can’t stop thinking about your horse out in the field. One longtime boarder says that’s exactly when Bobby tends to shine.
He has sent updates and even videos after rough weather so owners know their animals are okay.
The same goes for the Fourth of July. Fireworks can spook horses badly, and boarders mention that he checks on the herd and keeps people posted.
For owners who work full-time jobs, that extra attention can bring real peace of mind.
Hay delivery is another part of the routine. Bobby brings hay out to the pasture, which saves owners from hauling heavy bales themselves.
One boarder of about three years praised how well he keeps up with the property and stays in touch with everyone.
Opinions on the hay itself vary, though. One past boarder was unhappy with the quality and mentioned a price of $85 per round bale.
Prices and supply can shift with the season and drought conditions, so it’s wise to ask what the current hay costs and look at a bale yourself before committing.
Countless Cats in Broken Arrow Find a Second Chance
Horses may be the headliners, but the ranch has a whole supporting cast with whiskers. Out at 27119 E 51st St in Broken Arrow, plenty of cats have been dropped off and left behind over the years.
Instead of ignoring them, the Jordans step in.
Visitors say the couple cares for countless abandoned cats, and one person stressed the word countless twice. The cats receive medical care when needed and get spayed or neutered.
After that, the Jordans try to find them good, loving homes.
That effort is a big part of why some people see the ranch as a rescue-minded place. One boarder noted that what the stable lacks in fancy extras, it makes up for with owners and boarders who are passionate about animal rescue.
It’s a community that clearly cares about creatures big and small.
For kids who tag along with a horse-owning parent, the cats can be a sweet bonus. Just remember these are rescue animals, so some may be shy or still adjusting.
Ask before scooping one up. And if your family has been thinking about adopting a cat, it never hurts to ask whether any are looking for a forever home right now.
Open Pasture Living Without the Bells and Whistles
Fancy is not the word here, and that’s kind of the point. Boarders describe it as a great place for basic horse boarding.
You won’t find rows of indoor stalls or a heated tack lounge.
Instead, horses live outdoors on pasture, which many owners actually prefer. Turnout lets horses move, graze, and act like horses.
It’s a simple, old-school way of keeping them that a lot of Oklahoma families grew up with.
Affordability is the biggest selling point. One boarder called it very affordable, especially for anyone with more than one horse.
If you’ve been priced out of bigger barns, that alone could make the drive worthwhile.
Visitors also call the property beautiful, and others say they really like the facilities. On the flip side, one past boarder felt the pasture was tiny for four horses.
Space needs depend on how many animals you bring, so take a good look at the field size and ask how many horses share it.
Bottom line, this is a no-frills setup with a country feel. If indoor stalls are a must for your horse, keep shopping.
If fresh air and fair prices matter more, it deserves a spot on your list.
Peace and Quiet for the Right Kind of Horse Owner
Ask one daily regular what she loves most, and the answer is simple: it’s peaceful and drama-free. She visits the barn every single day and enjoys being around people who truly care about their horses.
For many owners, that calm vibe is worth more than any shiny arena.
So who tends to thrive here? Independent owners who like doing their own feeding and grooming seem to fit best.
People with several horses who want to keep costs down may also find it a good match.
Families with horse-crazy kids could enjoy it too. A child who already rides can learn real responsibility by helping with daily chores.
There’s something special about a kid carrying a bucket across a quiet field at dusk.
That said, it may not suit everyone. A couple of boarders had very different experiences and left after disagreements with the owner.
If you prefer a hands-off landlord or a large staff, a self-board ranch run by a hands-on family might not feel right.
The best plan is to visit, meet the other boarders, and watch how things run. Your gut feeling after an hour on the property will tell you a lot.
Hours, Costs, and the Drive Out East
Early birds, rejoice. The ranch lists hours of 6 AM to 9 PM every day of the week, Monday through Sunday.
That wide window makes it easier to squeeze in barn time before work or after dinner.
The address is 27119 E 51st St, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. It sits on the east side of the Tulsa metro, so drivers coming from Tulsa have a fairly easy trip.
From Oklahoma City, plan on a longer haul across the state, so it makes more sense for owners in the Tulsa area.
Monthly boarding rates aren’t listed in the information available, so you’ll need to call. The phone number is 918-808-6225, and the website is tekoaranch.com.
One past boarder mentioned round bales at $85 each, but hay prices often change with the season.
A few planning tips can help:
Ask about current openings, pasture size, and how many horses share each field. Find out what’s included and what you’ll handle yourself under the self-board setup.
Oklahoma summers get hot and spring brings storms, so ask about shade, water, and shelter too. Finally, remember this is private property, so always schedule a visit rather than just dropping by.
Our Honest Take on Tekoa Ranch
Here’s the short version: if you came hoping your kids could pet kangaroos and zebras, this isn’t that place. But if you own a horse and want a simple, affordable home for it, the ranch might be a quiet win.
Most visitors speak warmly about the Jordans, the beautiful property, and the steady care given to the animals. Hay deliveries, storm check-ins, and fireworks updates show a level of attention many self-board barns don’t offer.
The cat rescue work adds a heartwarming layer you don’t see every day.
Not every story ends happily, and that’s worth weighing. A couple of former boarders clashed with the owner and moved their horses out.
Their experiences suggest that personality fit matters a great deal at a small family-run ranch.
So treat it like any big decision. Call ahead, visit in person, check the pasture and hay, and chat with current boarders.
If it feels right, you may find the peaceful, drama-free barn so many regulars describe.
For Oklahoma horse families who value modest prices over fancy extras, this East Tulsa-area ranch is worth a look. Bring your questions, and maybe a treat for whoever greets you at the fence.
