City Slickers- the female version.
June 28, 2011 9:01 AM Subscribe
After watching Buck, and reading the previously posted saddle question, I am wondering if people have recommendations for where to take a horse-riding vacation.
I am based out of NY but am interested in anywhere strongly recommended by Mefites. I have 2 other friends interested and the best time for me (unfortunately!) is in August. Thanks in advance! (I would prefer a pretty rustic guest ranch with maybe some camping involved...not sure if my friends feel the same way!)
I am based out of NY but am interested in anywhere strongly recommended by Mefites. I have 2 other friends interested and the best time for me (unfortunately!) is in August. Thanks in advance! (I would prefer a pretty rustic guest ranch with maybe some camping involved...not sure if my friends feel the same way!)
Here's one in Bridgeport, CA.
When I was a kid I held summer jobs in various Bridgeport, CA establishments, but never at the Hunewill Ranch.
Attended a couple of after hours bonfires with the hands, however. Nice people. Can't beat the Eastern Sierra for impressive geography.
posted by notyou at 10:02 AM on June 28, 2011
When I was a kid I held summer jobs in various Bridgeport, CA establishments, but never at the Hunewill Ranch.
Attended a couple of after hours bonfires with the hands, however. Nice people. Can't beat the Eastern Sierra for impressive geography.
posted by notyou at 10:02 AM on June 28, 2011
I have not stayed at this ranch, but if I were to go on a ranch vacation, I would go with Bitterroot Ranch. I almost ended up working there one summer (life got in the way) and all my dealings with the owners were first class.
It's a bit pricey, but as far as I can tell, they are true horse people and raise and know their animals, which is something to look for when making your choice. Safety, too, is a real concern and this ranch asks riders to wear helmets. That might not fit with some people's romantic ideas of galloping with their hair streaming out behind them, but I've seen enough falls and enough damaged helmets to respect that requirement. It looks like you can do pack (camping) trips with them, too.
posted by martianna at 10:03 AM on June 28, 2011
It's a bit pricey, but as far as I can tell, they are true horse people and raise and know their animals, which is something to look for when making your choice. Safety, too, is a real concern and this ranch asks riders to wear helmets. That might not fit with some people's romantic ideas of galloping with their hair streaming out behind them, but I've seen enough falls and enough damaged helmets to respect that requirement. It looks like you can do pack (camping) trips with them, too.
posted by martianna at 10:03 AM on June 28, 2011
Best answer: I cannot recommend North Fork Guest Ranch highly enough. I've been there three times and have had an absolutely wonderful experience each time. One caveat, though: accommodations are quite plush - no camping. I do recall an optional overnight pack trip, though, so if you don't have your heart set on camping every night, that could be a good compromise. The food is fantastic - plan on gaining a pound or two unless you have far more self-control than I do - and the staff have always been friendly and helpful. The owners of the ranch, Karen and Dean, are welcoming and down to earth. They're horse people. They genuinely love their animals, and it shows in their health and behavior.
I've been to the ranch in late July, and it gets a little warm, but it's high enough in the mountains that August wouldn't be totally sweltering. Plus, it's a dry heat. You could also go on a morning ride and then go fly-fishing or hiking in the afternoon if it was too warm for you.
Wherever you go, I hope you have a fantastic trip! I've stayed at three or four different guest ranches in my life, and though North Fork was by far my favorite, each "dude ranch" vacation was memorable and lots of fun.
posted by pecanpies at 11:00 AM on June 28, 2011
I've been to the ranch in late July, and it gets a little warm, but it's high enough in the mountains that August wouldn't be totally sweltering. Plus, it's a dry heat. You could also go on a morning ride and then go fly-fishing or hiking in the afternoon if it was too warm for you.
Wherever you go, I hope you have a fantastic trip! I've stayed at three or four different guest ranches in my life, and though North Fork was by far my favorite, each "dude ranch" vacation was memorable and lots of fun.
posted by pecanpies at 11:00 AM on June 28, 2011
One other thought: when you're picking a ranch, I'd recommend asking the owners these questions to get the idea of whether or not it's a good fit for you:
1. How many guests are at the ranch at once during a typical summer week? (At North Fork, it was around 30. Gives you a chance to get to know people if you want, or just blend in if you don't.)
2. How do you pair horses to riders? (At North Fork and another ranch I've been to, you're asked to rate your riding ability when you make a reservation. You'll be paired with a horse whose temperament matches your ability. At some other ranches, this pairing up seems to be mostly random.)
3. What kind of rides do you offer? Any bushwhacking? Do riders get a chance to trot or lope, or are these all walking rides? (A few probing questions give you an idea of whether you'll be in a variety of settings, or if you'll just be heading up & down the same couple of trails at a snail's pace with your horse's head up the next horse's butt.)
4. How do you choose and train your horses? (At North Fork, developing a horse to be a guest horse is a process that can sometimes take years, from selection to "employment," so to speak. I'd want to know that the horses were chosen and trained for their jobs.)
Oh, I'm getting jealous!
posted by pecanpies at 11:13 AM on June 28, 2011
1. How many guests are at the ranch at once during a typical summer week? (At North Fork, it was around 30. Gives you a chance to get to know people if you want, or just blend in if you don't.)
2. How do you pair horses to riders? (At North Fork and another ranch I've been to, you're asked to rate your riding ability when you make a reservation. You'll be paired with a horse whose temperament matches your ability. At some other ranches, this pairing up seems to be mostly random.)
3. What kind of rides do you offer? Any bushwhacking? Do riders get a chance to trot or lope, or are these all walking rides? (A few probing questions give you an idea of whether you'll be in a variety of settings, or if you'll just be heading up & down the same couple of trails at a snail's pace with your horse's head up the next horse's butt.)
4. How do you choose and train your horses? (At North Fork, developing a horse to be a guest horse is a process that can sometimes take years, from selection to "employment," so to speak. I'd want to know that the horses were chosen and trained for their jobs.)
Oh, I'm getting jealous!
posted by pecanpies at 11:13 AM on June 28, 2011
I know it's really old school, but there is an active (well active-ish these days) equestrian group on Usenet: rec.equestrian
Many of its members have taken riding trips around the world with an number of organizations. I think Equitours typically gets good reviews.
I'd suggest you dig through the archives a bit, or even better, post a message with your requirements. I'm sure you'd get some really good suggestions.
The Google Groups link for the wreck, in case you don't have proper Usenet access.
posted by sardonyx at 1:02 PM on June 28, 2011
Many of its members have taken riding trips around the world with an number of organizations. I think Equitours typically gets good reviews.
I'd suggest you dig through the archives a bit, or even better, post a message with your requirements. I'm sure you'd get some really good suggestions.
The Google Groups link for the wreck, in case you don't have proper Usenet access.
posted by sardonyx at 1:02 PM on June 28, 2011
I just got back from iceland, where we did just a 2 hour horseback ride. (a) it was awesome, and (b) it sounded like they did ranges of lengths of rides, from a few hours to over a week. The country was gorgeous, and you get a stamp in your passport!
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 2:56 PM on June 28, 2011
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 2:56 PM on June 28, 2011
Response by poster: Ok, North Fork looks awesome and I love Colorado. Thanks so much! I knew people had had great experiences and a personal recommendation was exactly what I was looking for. Will report back if and hopefully when the Ranch fantasy trip becomes a reality. Am sending link to friends right now!
posted by bquarters at 3:10 PM on June 28, 2011
posted by bquarters at 3:10 PM on June 28, 2011
Hi, OP from the thread you linked. I'm going to Hunewill!! (linked by notyou above). I've never been before, but people seem to love it, and the area is gorgeous. One bonus is that August is a lovely time in the Bridgeport Valley (as opposed to, say, Arizona).
Having been through the process, here are a couple of the factors I looked at:
1. How many kids during the time I wanted to go?
2. Is there a spa? (The existence of a spa was a deal-breaker for me, bc I wanted more of a rustic, working ranch experience, and to be around people who weren't the spa crowd).
3. What is the dining like? Big family style tables? Or restaurant style?
3.5. Are sports offered? Some have tennis, golf nearby, etc.
4. The questions people posted above above about the horses -- afterall, it's about the horses.
5. How friendly are they when you call?
6. They're all really around the same price when you get in the middle to low end of the scale (the rustic, non-spa ranches), so that didn't turn out to be much of a factor.
7. The pictures on the website of course! :-)
The guest ranches of the world seem to be well organized, and there are several websites that compare and search various ranches. I found those helpful.
I also have heard fabulous things about the Iceland trips. Also, the Equitours ones look great, they have a huge variety. Never been on one though.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:47 PM on June 28, 2011
Having been through the process, here are a couple of the factors I looked at:
1. How many kids during the time I wanted to go?
2. Is there a spa? (The existence of a spa was a deal-breaker for me, bc I wanted more of a rustic, working ranch experience, and to be around people who weren't the spa crowd).
3. What is the dining like? Big family style tables? Or restaurant style?
3.5. Are sports offered? Some have tennis, golf nearby, etc.
4. The questions people posted above above about the horses -- afterall, it's about the horses.
5. How friendly are they when you call?
6. They're all really around the same price when you get in the middle to low end of the scale (the rustic, non-spa ranches), so that didn't turn out to be much of a factor.
7. The pictures on the website of course! :-)
The guest ranches of the world seem to be well organized, and there are several websites that compare and search various ranches. I found those helpful.
I also have heard fabulous things about the Iceland trips. Also, the Equitours ones look great, they have a huge variety. Never been on one though.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:47 PM on June 28, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TheBones at 9:27 AM on June 28, 2011