Texas Ranch Stay, USA
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Mostly Quarter Horses, some Paints, Appaloosa and Palomino
Nature of horses:
Laid back, gentle natured, sure footed and totally bomb proof
Number of horses:
30 - 35
Height of horses:
14 - 16 hh
Weight limit:
225 lb
Tack type:
Western
Pricing
High Season (March - October, Thanks Giving & Christmas 2008)
Adults double occupancy: £542 per person
Adults single occupancy: £607 per person
Children 13-16 years: £390 per person
Children 6-12 years: £282 per person
Children 3-5 years: £174 per person
Children 2 years and under: Free
Low Season (November - February 2008 excluding Thanks Giving & Christmas)
Adult double occupancy: £498 per person
Adult single occupancy: £563 per person
Children 13-16 years: £368 per person
Children 6-12 years: £260 per person
Children 3-5 years: £174 per person
Children 2 years and under: Free
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Your hosts at the Texas Ranch do not want you to feel like a number. The ranch is small by design so that you as a guest and leave as a friend. There are no screaming masses and parents will love watching their children enjoying the real freedom to run, play and use their imaginations. Although a dude ranch this destination offers a special experience allowing every guests to take something new away from the ranch. You can learn something about nature and make new friends far away from the electronic habits of the modern day world. Guests may even find that with all the time to bond, they learn something new about their families.
Established from an old cattle ranch, the charm of the simple way of life is still evident in every aspect of the Texas Ranch. As you sit out in the evenings you will see how how the county must have looked years ago when the ploughs and machinery that are now used as decoration worked the land. Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country there is a photo opportunity in every corner. Live oak, Texas oak, cedar, cactus and yucca make up the majority of ground cover along with a multitude of native grasses. Far from the sound of busy roads and traffic all you will hear are the sounds of nature, charmingly combined with the sight of breathtaking, changeable views.
This is a guest ranch whose main focus is on horseback riding and which offers the best riding programme in the area. There are a variety of rides every day not only on the ranch but also into the adjoining 5500 acre State Natural Area to which there is direct access.
Soak up the unspoilt beauty of more than forty miles of breathtaking trails choosing how long you wish to ride. Daily rides are offered from one to five hours. The riding groups are kept as small as possible giving the guests the opportunity to enjoy the landscape and its abundant wildlife.
The ranch offers easy relaxing rides along varied trails while experienced riders have access to more skill challenging trails. All rides are accompanied by friendly cowgirls and cowboys whose knowledge of the area and the wildlife is unsurpassed.
Those wishing to improve on their western skills can take riding lessons in the arena which are offered to both beginners and advanced riders.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation here is either in one of the ranch's modernised rustic cabins. There is also a porch perfect for relaxation and taking in the beautiful Texas Hill Country Scenery.
The western style cabins naturally ft the surroundings. Their simple exteriors belie the comfort and beauty of the handmade cedar post furniture, wood floors and intricately patterned Indian throw rugs inside. Each of the fourteen cabins sleeps between two and six people with great care taken to assign lodging that best suits the needs of their guests. All cabins have air conditioning, heating and a spotlessly clean bathroom. Each cabin also boasts a seating area, refrigerator and a view that is very hard to beat. Towels and bed linen are provided throughout the duration of your stay, including large towel for use around the swimming pool.
Perhaps the best time of day is the evenings, where from the comfort of your porch you may be greeted by hummingbirds, an armadillo or a racoon. You will also see the ranch horses as they pass your cabin on their way to graze. The housekeeper provides an excellent service every other day whilst in the meantime all you need to do is ask if you need anything. Your hosts are genuinely welcoming people, always happy to help with any request.
Food here is plentiful, wholesome, delicious and cooked using fresh local produce. Breakfast and lunch are included in your package; a chance to enjoy hearty ranch meals prepared for you by the ranch's fantastic cook.
Although evening meals are not included you will definitely not go hungry. Breakfasts include bacon, sausage, eggs, cereal, toast, hash browns, fresh fruit, yoghurt, tacos and warm muffins.
Lunch, equally plentiful and delicious is served at 1pm, Here there will be a range of choice including anything from pot roast to meatloaf, pork ribs and grilled fish. Desserts are always a delightful treat. In fact, not serving an evening meal allows your stay to be that bit more flexible. The town of Bandera is only 10 miles away and boasts an array of places to eat. Alternatively you are welcome to use the microwave and BBQ facilities at the ranch to prepare your own food.
Activities
Non riders can relax in the Round up Room and meet other guests and play pool, watch TV or wander out on the porch enjoying the western skies. There is hiking, biking, fossil hunting, pitching horse shoes or swimming in the pool. There are many interesting and fun places to visit within reasonable driving distances. You can visit the Alamo, Fiesta Texas (music theme park), Sea World, Schlitterbahn (water ride park), rodeos and more. You can go tubing or fishing at one of the nearby rivers or lakes. For those who enjoy golf there are several excellent courses within a thirty minute drive.
Many visitors to the US are interested in shooting and five minutes from the ranch is a fantastic shooting range where guests can do skeet, trap, pistol or rifle shooting at a highly reduced rate.
Further Details
Languages: English and German
Health requirements: None
Age limit: Children must be over 6 to ride on the trail.
Tuition: Tuition for beginners and advanced riders can be arranged at an additional cost.
Included: Riding, accommodation, breakfast and lunch, hayrides and all other ranch activities
Not included: Dinner, tuition and transfers.
Travel Information
San Antonio is the closest airport only an hour away by car and an easy drive. Other airports within driving distance are Austen (two hours). Houston (four hours) and Dallas (five and a half hours). Car rental is essential and is inexpensive. Contact the office for help with your flights and car rental.
Airport: San Antonio
Alternative Airport: Houston
Programme
Ranch Based Stay
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The ranch is located in the middle of the "Texas Hill country" and the name says it all. There are plenty of hills and everything is lush and green, covered with wild flowers and different trees, so any ride you go on will be very scenic. Trail rides are scheduled once the guests are at the ranch and will depend on the their riding skills, trail and weather conditions. The hosts are very proud of their horses, a handpicked selection offering a mount suitable for every level of rider. The experienced wranglers are able to match horse and rider perfectly regardless of age, experience and aspiration. Riding is usually offered for two hour per day although longer day rides can be arranged. Riding can be a combination of trails and lessons. The beginners will be taken on the easier trails and will spend more time in flat areas until they are confident in the saddle. More experienced riders can trot and canter on those trails which allow safe but faster riding. There are some challenging rides for good riders who will be riding fast but also on difficult terrain. These trails ask a lot of the horse and rider in terms of balance and endurance and most guests return amazed at what they have been able to achieve. The 5,500 acre State Park has a huge trail system which offers various landscapes; from soft and grassy areas to steep and rocky terrain. Unlike most ranches in Texas, experienced riders here are able to do more than walk tail to tail and can enjoy some faster riding. The ranch has a programme for both beginners and experienced riders and, because of the vast area in which to ride, your trails will be different every time. The ranch building is open 24 hours per day for the convenience of its guests. The Round Up Room, of course authentically furnished with handmade cedar furniture and brick fireplace; is spacious an d comfortable. Breakfast and lunch are eaten here, except of course when the order of the day is a BBQ or fun Cowboy Breakfast. Coffee is always brewed early and if you beat the staff to the pot you may even enjoy a cup on the long front porch; perfect for watching the day begin from the comfort of a large rocking chair. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 14 |
| Ability description: | Beginners to experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 2 hours per day included but extra available by arrangement |
| Departure dates: | Departures to suit |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |