Anyone ever done a horse Ranch holiday in the US?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Dd (10) is a novice rider and a major horse lover. She is obsessed with the episode of Modern family where they go stay on a Dude Ranch and cites it as her dream holiday she wants to do at some point. She also wants to travel to Montana as she is certain that's where horse holidays are available.

Has anyone ever done this sort of trip before? I'd imagine she is envisaging riding all day every day. She volunteers at her local stables so does all the grunt work that comes with horses too.

Whilst it wouldnt be our idea of a dream holiday, I'd definetly look into it if they are possible / are what she thinks they are.

So....anyone done this before?

Ooo placemarking!

Yes, twice - once in Bandera and once in Sedona. Loved every moment of it with husband and got major inspiration from the City Slicker movies.

These are slow paced stays as, in reality, very little happens at a tourist ranch even if it is a ‘working ranch’ but the experience is the best. Afternoons are for lazing while the sun is high in the sky and no one will be out toiling during these hours.

We rode twice per day in Texas and did camp fire/ swimming/ longhorn/ trailer ride related activities outside of that. We would all ride as a group round the fields and it was slow paced.

Meals were cowboy cook-outs and authentic with typical ‘cow-boy’ food and no alternatives, so an open mind to eating is probably best.

We dined with cowboys, at sunset, and took quad rides through rattlesnake covered grass.

We stayed in our own wooden cabin with a veranda and 1950’s movie style kids cowboy style interior which was adorable.

In the evenings, it gets dark and quiet and it’s board games in the communal living area of the big house or, a trip to the local town for a few beers and live music.

We went all out in our cowboy attire however, we were the exception - it made our trip though and the photos are amazing to look back at.

So happy to come across this post OP - go for it.

We had a few days on a ranch in Canada. Yep, definitely all about the food with a bit of trekking. I'd have liked it to be a bit faster, as I was an OK ish rider at that time. It was good fun tho. Quiet at night, right out in the sticks.

I think I'd pick carefully if she rides well,.

Yes twice in Wyoming 25 years ago. On one trip we rode the Pony Express route and on the other rode through the Blue Mountains. We rode American saddle style (which is easy, you don't need any riding technique, my sister came and couldn't ride. At night the horses were set loose and somehow still there in the morning. Our group was led by our guide, who was an American Indian, and another cowboy, and the owner was a rancher. The chef drove a big blue bus and set up camp and cooked for us every day. We had some nights out, visited an abandoned wild west village, and rode through amazing countryside. It was magical and one of the best experiences of my life.

Yes, 10 days in Tucson. It was one of the most amazing holidays ever! Definitely do your research around the ranches though as they vary greatly. Some only allow walk/trot, whereas some do faster rides and a variety of different activities. Feel free to message for details about where I went; I can't recommend it enough!

I've started googling USA Ranch holidays. They look fab. Not cheap. But I bet they are good.

Not sure if it still exists but I went on a pony trekking holiday with school in the Brecon Beacons. It was called Cadarn I think. Perhaps a cheaper option!

Well now I have saved four Canadian ranches I definitely want to visit! This looks epic. Good call OP.

Thank you everyone, lots of food for thought and motivation to do some holiday research.

I did a cursory date check on the first Google result that turned up and (without flights) it came in at 14k for 6nights (2ad 2ch).

Insane. If it's that expensive then it will simply be a no go, but I will definetly dedicate more time to research before I settle either way.

It sounds, from posts above, that it would be every bit as magical as she anticipated it would be.