If your riding—or your life—is stuck in a rut, wide open spaces, fresh mountain air and endless skies are the antidote. The perfect place to fi nd all of this is a ranch vacation. Along with hours of great riding to clear your mind and refresh your soul, you can fi nd both adventure and relaxation all in one place.
I spent a week at a working ranch in Wyoming, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. The level of hospitality was far more than I ever expected, and the riding exceeded my expectations. We gathered cattle and rode to our hearts’ content, from mountain trails to galloping across open range. I rode a Quarter Horse named Sally for my entire stay and loved her; my friend tried a variety of horses from the extensive remuda. Each day’s activities were custom-tailored, plotted out as we gathered in the beautiful rustic lodge each night. Among the dozen guests on our late-season visit was a couple from England, a group of several brothers, a few solo female travelers, and an older gentleman from the East Coast who was a regular visitor to the ranch.
A guest ranch is a destination that works for anyone: families or solo travelers, both new and experienced riders, lovers of luxury and outdoor enthusiasts, girlfriends on a getaway or would-be cowboy “brocationers.” The unique beauty of the West isn’t too far to travel. And there’s no better way to view the majestic landscape than through the ears of a horse.