Dude Ranch History & Fun Facts
Horses are the magnificent, noble centerpiece of which dude ranching is built around. Horses have been carrying riders for centuries and provide the most in-depth way to experience and explore the historical American West. Members of the Dude Ranchers’ Association offer the best and most reliable horses you and your family could want. Please take a look at the following ways to enjoy different horseback riding programs. There are many ways to find your perfect horses: From the way the horses are raised, riders’ experience levels and to the locations or types of riding you want to do. Be specific and select the ranch that matches you and your family’s dude ranch vacation dreams. There is a perfectly fitting ranch for everyone.
Ranch Raised Horses
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in Standpoint, Idaho is very proud of its four-legged working partners. They maintain a herd of about 40 registered Quarterhorses, Appaloosas, and Paints for their saddle horses. Two teams of Belgian, two teams of Percherons and one team of Shire-cross are used for their sleigh and wagon rides. Most of the horses are either born and raised on the ranch or born on one of the owners’ brothers’ ranches. The horses are worked with and handled at an early age to begin adapting them to their future uses. As two-year-olds, their official training begins, getting them used to the saddle and working them in the round pen. They then graduate to the arena. And then to some short trail rides. A training system called the “Basic Handle,” founded by Monte Forman and Pat Wyse is used. This system creates a safe, responsive, and sensible horse. As three- and four-year-olds, these horses are used as mounts for trail guides. Then, as five-year-olds, they begin their career as mounts for our guests. They use both mares and geldings and rotate mares in and out as they produce more offspring for our future string. Find more information about Western Pleasure’s individual horses.
Riding for All Levels – Experienced Riders to Can’t-a-lopes
With relaxed instruction from our capable wranglers, you will soon feel safe and comfortable on horseback at Elkhorn Ranch in Montana. As the terrain permits, more experienced riders will lope their horses from time to time. Wranglers are always happy to instruct any guest who needs a little extra help sharpening their riding skills. Grown-ups, fossils or can’t-a-lopes as they are affectionately known, will be offered a variety of horseback trips each day designed to suit their interest and ability. They will get them into the high country as the week and their confidence progress. Rides are small, normally with less than eight guests in a group. Our youngest, the Peanuts, ride, play and eat together. On the trail, they go for carefully supervised rides. may include a river swim, a visit to an old cowboy fort or a trip to the Bear Caves. Teenagers also band together and invariably have spirited rides full of adventures that always seem to grow in the retelling. Whether you choose short and relaxing or long and challenging, sharing a mountain trail seems to build friendships for guests of every age. As you brush your horse down before heading back to your cabin, you will smile at the prospect of returning to the barn tomorrow – well-fed, well-rested, and ready to enjoy another spectacular summer day on a high country trail in the Montana Rockies.
Mountain Trails and Arena Events
Paradise Guest Ranch‘s riding program is very flexible and features a number of choices. They offer two-hour rides as well as both half-day and full-day rides. Some day rides include lunches packed on mules & cooked along the trail. Horsemanship classes are available. Hook up with one of our seasoned wranglers and spend a morning riding through the wildflower-strewn mountain meadows in the surrounding Bighorn National Forest. You’ll ride trails through mountain scenery that will take your breath away. Or spend an afternoon in our private rodeo arena practicing team penning or barrels and poles. These are timed events and competitive with fun for all. Special team penning classes are available. And the week ends with a special kids’ rodeo featuring the ranch’s most kid-friendly horses.
Unescorted Explorations
Eatons’ Ranch offers our guests the unique opportunity to ride one of our 220 horses unescorted with the permission of the Ranch. This allows guests the remarkable freedom to fully explore this beautiful 7,000 acres of country. Guests can ride out from our Wyoming Dude Ranch twice a day Monday through Friday, choosing among morning, afternoon and evening rides. We also have all-day rides into the Bighorn National Forest as well as breakfast and dinner rides. Riding is a bit more limited on weekends; there are only morning and afternoon rides on Saturday, and on Sunday there is only a morning ride as the rest of the day is our horse holiday. Wranglers are always available to guide rides and offer instruction. Watch this video about Eatons’ Ranch and their riding program.
Work Cattle in True Cowboy Style
When you stay at Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch, you’ll live a real ranching life, and experience the simple pleasures of our western American heritage. It’s a land where neighbors have lent a helping hand for generations. A place where the front door is always open and fresh coffee’s waiting. Spring, Summer or Fall…Each season is different and special at the 1+1 Ranch. No matter the season you’ll get plenty of time in the saddle on the best of our ranch horses. Spring brings the excitement of calves and foals being born, working cattle, cattle drives, and brandings. Summer brings long pasture rides checking cattle, cattle drives, working cattle, cowboy socials, team roping, and team penning. October is Fall Round-Up, which involves long cattle drives on horseback, team roping, and penning.
