Family and Kids
Horseback riding lessons and clinics are the quickest way to better your skills in riding, your safety, and your understanding of horses. The Dude Ranchers’ Association offers the best options for a vacation experience designed around your skills and abilities with horses. Are you a novice with very little experience? A seasoned horse person? There’s a dude ranch with the most proficient of instructors ready to share their areas of expertise. Martin Black, Pat Parelli, and Chris Cox are a few of the styles of horsemanship taught at the ranches below. These teaching styles aren’t just big names, but with small class settings and personal attention, you’ll feel right at home and get the direct attention you deserve. A knowing eye can identify areas of improvement for every rider, and most importantly, you’ll be spending time with the horse – the best instructor of them all.
Horseback Riding Lessons and Clinics
Rocking Z Guest Ranch – Montana
Style of Horsemanship
The Wirth family at Rocking Z Guest Ranch in Montana invites guests to step into their lifestyle and experience Pat Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship. From the first introduction to horses to the highly experienced rider, each guest has the opportunity to grow. Guests can experience anything from long trail rides to the challenge of working cattle; the incredible Rocking Z herd is ready to help you expand your horizons. The best part? Guests can have the opportunity of a personalized private lesson, ensuring you and your horse connect during your stay at the ranch.
Setting
By hosting small groups, the ranch can cater to each family. Rocking Z may be crazy about horses, but the ranch offers many other activities for everyone to enjoy, such as fishing, shooting, and hiking. There are also fun activities to do in the evenings, such as playing pool or soaking in the hot tub. With spacious en-suite rooms with fireplaces and super comfortable beds, you and your family can have a blast at the Rocking Z any time of the year.
Rocking Z Ranch – Wolf Creek, MT
Triangle C Ranch – Wyoming
Style of Horsemanship
The Triangle C Ranch in Wyoming is home to Chris Cox, a well-known horseman and clinician from Australia. With a practical and straightforward approach, he and his staff invite guests to study a style of horsemanship with horses that get proven results. You can learn from the group lessons and also receive personal instruction with Chris to gain an understanding of how the horse thinks and why. Communication is key, and you will get to learn about the best tools to accomplish whatever you desire with horses.
Setting
The Triangle C Ranch is only an hour from Jackson Hole and is surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain views in the world. You’ll stay in some beautifully designed cabins with western furnishings and all the accommodations needed for that perfect cowboy vacation. The ranch offers 3- and 6-day clinics and has horsemanship leadership youth camps – one for boys and one for girls.
Triangle C Ranch – Dubois, WY
The Red Rock Ranch – Wyoming
Style of Horsemanship
The Red Rock Ranch offers Martin Black clinics for all types of riders. From top horse trainers in English and Western disciplines, everyone who attends will make progress toward a better connection with horses. Martin will help build confidence in the horse and rider and take you to the next level. Please join the Red Rock Ranch in August for this annual, exciting, and educational horsemanship/cattle working clinic.
Setting
For over 50 years, the Red Rock Ranch has been owned and operated by the same family, and you’ll find a traditional Wyoming dude ranch vacation with the charm of the Old West, where your family can come for a change of pace. The ranch is located just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and only a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. This ranch is known for its outstanding and engaging kids’ program and exceptional ranch cuisine.
The Red Rock Ranch – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch – Shell, Wyoming
Style of Horsemanship
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is the perfect destination for your equestrian desires. Guests can enjoy the weekly Natural Horsemanship clinics designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you are experience horseman or new to the ropes, you will discover the art of non-verbal communication with your horse. By learning the gentle use of pressure and release, guests will build a foundation of trust with the horse.
Setting
The Hideout is nestled just an hour east of Cody, and a scenic two-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park. The ranch only hosts small groups of guests each week, offering an intimate setting where you can truly breathe in the crisp mountain air. While horses are the soul of the ranch, guests can enjoy many more activities, such as trap shooting, hiking, biking, the pool, or just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful views.
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch – Shell, Wyoming
The Powderhorn Ranch – Douglas, Wyoming
Style of Horsemanship
At the Powderhorn Ranch, experience a week of world-class instruction at Trail Rider University. Led by the renowned Ken McNabb, this program will build confidence through the cowboy way of life. Guests will enjoy one-on-one and group lessons with Ken as they learn how to control their bodies physically and emotionally while riding. Ken McNabb is dedicated to helping guests ease their minds to make a connection with their horse.
Setting
The Powderhorn Ranch is in the heart of Wyoming’s Northern Laramie Range, which carries on a four-generation tradition of hospitality. Guests can enjoy trail rides on the beautiful ranch along the legendary Oregon Trail, and in the evenings, enjoy a home-cooked meal and peaceful evenings by the creek. You won’t want to miss visiting the Ken McNabb tack store or the ranch gift shop to take a piece of the West home with you.
The Powderhorn Ranch – Douglas, Wyoming
The Dude Ranchers’ Association – All Ranches
If you are curious about more ranches of The Dude Ranchers’ Association, sort through them using our Find a Ranch tool or choose a ranch by location.
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