Wyoming Ranch, USA
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Mainly Quarter Horses but also Paints, mustangs and cross breeds
Nature of horses:
Mostly home bred, all different temperaments to suit all riders
Number of horses:
80 horses including brood mares and foals and approximately 30 riding horses
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16 hh
Weight limit:
None within reason
Tack type:
Western
Pricing
The 2008 price for a week here is £825 which includes all accommodation and riding, food and drinks (but not alcoholic drinks), 10% tips and transfer from Rapid City.
If you wish to stay for more days the cost is £120 per day.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This is a genuine working ranch with over 6,000 acres. The ranch is set in the Black Hills of North East Wyoming - a very beautiful area known for its beauty and the variety of wildlife to be seen. The ranch breeds Black Angus and Herefords and they run 250 cows (500 with calves), 200-300 yearling heifers and 300 yearling sheep.
The ranch work is seasonal but guests are invited to participate from April to October with calving, branding, 'round-ups' and even breaking in horses. They have a new outdoor arena which is used for team penning and roping steers and sheep.
There is a very relaxed atmosphere and no strict routine and guests can do as much or as little riding as they want.
If you are sufficiently experienced, you will be able ride unaccompanied to explore the beautiful countryside around the ranch. Your hosts are extremely helpful and will take you to rodeos, nearby farms and even to go shopping.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The ranch is situated in a landscape north east of Wyoming and has been welcoming guests for over ten years. Whilst the staff live in the the old ranch house, the guests have use of a lovely decorated pine lodge with eight simply furnished bedrooms each with their own bathroom.
There is also a cabin for two people with its own bathroom ideal for couples. The guest saloon has a fireplace with a pool table and has a real western feel to it with western art decorating the log home.
The food here is substantial. There is often pasta for lunch due to the Italian heritage of the ranch owners. Dinners are three course and breakfast is a help yourself buffet taken at your leisure.
Activities
Clearly the accent here is on ranch life which is seasonal - in April the calves are born, in May/June they are branded. July and August are lazy months - perhaps an escaped steer to round up or a small cattle drive to another pasture.
Whilst not on the back of a horse, you may like to visit a rodeo or a horse auction in a neighbouring town, From here you can visit a national monument known as the Devils Tower or Mount Rushmore which is an hour and half's drive away. Your hosts are very happy to take you shopping!
You can also swim or fish in the lake,
There is much wildlife to see here - deer, antelope, coyote, racoon, marmot, beaver, prairie dog, eagle and turkey. Your hosts are happy to take guests sightseeing.
Further Details
Languages: English and Italian
Health requirements: None
Age limit: None
Tuition: No
Included: All accommodation based on two people sharing, all meals, all riding and transfer from Rapid City.
Not included: Alcoholic drinks, personal items.
Travel Information
Transfer from Rapid City Airport, South Dakota is included with week long stays.
Airport: Rapid City Airport
Programme
Wyoming Ranch
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This is a working cattle ranch and whilst you are here, you will be able to get involved in as much of the ranch work as you wish. You have a great choice of Quarter Horses and they all have different temperaments. Most have been bred and broken on the ranch. The goal of the breeding programme here is to produce strong and healthy horses and as they look good as well that's a bonus! As you will see, these horses are in first class condition and are a pleasure to ride. There is no strict routine here and you can participate as much as you wish in the ranch activities. You may wish to ride out in the four different directions you can take from the ranch. For those experienced riders, you may be able to ride out without supervision which is a wonderful experience. There is much cattle work although the ranch work is seasonal. In April the calves are born. In May and June they are branded. In July and August it is quieter here and there may be an escaped steer to round up, a small cattle drive to another pasture, a lost horse to be found. The spare time is used for long and interesting horseback rides. In September, the real work starts again with the steers having to be caught. This is the big 'round up' which lasts until October. There is a new outdoor arena where team penning takes place for roping steers and even sheep (sheep are more fun than cattle!). When not in the saddle, your hosts are happy to show you around the area. |
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| Minimum group size: | 0 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Novice riders are welcome although more experienced riders will really be able to make the most of this ranch. |
| Type of ride: | Western |
| Total riding time: | Flexible - up to seven hours a day in the saddle. |
| Departure dates: | June to the end of October. Flexible arrival and departure dates. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |