Lay ZJ Ranch

10/21/2026

Have a great beautiful fall day!

10/16/2026

Lay ZJ Ranch

Newton, Illinois

Out where the Illinois fields stretch wide,
And morning breaks on the countryside,
There stands a place built hand in hand,
With weathered barns and worked-up land.

It’s called Lay ZJ Ranch, but the name alone
Could never explain why it feels like home.
For every hoofprint left in the ground
Holds another memory of life on the ranch.

There are horses waiting at the gate,
Mares with foals and dreams that can’t wait.
Young ones learning to trust and lead,
And old faithful horses getting all they need.

There are stalls to clean and fences to mend,
Long days that sometimes never seem to end.
Hay to stack and grain to pour,
And somehow tomorrow brings a little more.

Some days bring sunshine, some bring rain,
Some bring worry, heartache and pain.
But even when the road gets hard,
There’s still something sacred about that yard.

Because this ranch was never just about money,
A perfect barn, or days always sunny.
It’s about Joshua and Zachary building a life,
Standing together through struggle and strife.

It’s about dreams that started years ago,
And watching those little dreams finally grow.
A newborn foal taking its first shaky stride,
And that feeling of standing there filled with pride.

It’s blue heelers running and horses at play,
Sunsets closing another long day.
It’s muddy boots by the old barn door,
And thanking the Lord for one day more.

The world may rush, and people may roam,
But down a country road near Newton is home.
Where life isn’t perfect—and doesn’t need to be,
Because love built this ranch from a dream.

So when the days get heavy and the road gets tough,
Remember why you started when life feels rough.
Through every season, come what may,
The horses still nicker at break of day.

And beneath those Illinois stars so bright,
When the barn finally settles for the night,
Two men can look across what they’ve made
And know every sacrifice somehow was paid.

Because Lay ZJ Ranch is more than a name.
More than horses, pastures, cattle or grain.
It’s family. It’s faith. It’s dreams coming true.

It’s home.
It’s your life.
It’s Lay ZJ. ❤️🐴

10/15/2026

Happy Thursday to all our friends and followers!

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

Had a wonderful Saturday morning judging the Little Buckaroo Saddle Club horse show! God blessed with a beautiful day and some beautiful horses to judge!

09/14/2026

Have a great Monday!!

09/14/2026

09/12/2026

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

09/10/2026

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!! Praying today we get some much needed rain!

09/09/2026

Great day at Pioneer City Pro Rodeo!