The summer season is prime time for guest ranching families who maybe have tried Disneyland or taken a family cruise vacation but have been searching for another unique experience that every member of the family can enjoy. A week-long stay at a guest ranch means that Mom, Dad and the kids will all be eating together -- three hearty home-cooked meals a day - and that the parents will actually have some inkling where, at any given time, they can find their kids.
If that sounds good for parents, it gets even better for kids. There is a long list of games and family activities available as guest ranches compete with theme parks for the California vacation dollar. There's the obvious - horseback riding, and plenty of it - but add to that such activities as swimming, tubing on nearby rivers, volleyball, darts, fly fishing, archery and gold panning.
"We had one Australia family visit Disneyland and our ranch in the same vacation," recalled Alicia Ryan of Coffee Creek Guest Ranch, "and the family emailed us from home just to tell us that the ranch was all the kids were talking about."
Score one for guest ranches. The ranches will score a few more points with adults who deal with city traffic and crowded workplaces every day of the work week and figure the last thing they want to do on vacation is stand in long lines for theme parks and their rides. Once they're settled in at a guest ranch, they may find a total of just 50 or 60 other guests spread out over many acres with most guests out riding or involved in activities. End result: peace and quiet for Mom and Dad.
You may recall the movie "City Slickers" that came out several years ago; guest ranches noticed a spike in reservations because the ranches' appeal was quite visible in the movie. Maybe it was the way the movie showed every-day city people adapting very well, thank you, to the Great Outdoors -- whatever the reason, ranches saw more business than ever. In recent years, some ranches have found that growth has leveled off somewhat as competitors such as cruise lines lower their prices and rising gasoline prices discourage long distance car travel. So nowadays, many guest ranches are including everything but the kitchen sink in their "all-inclusive" price.
Operators of guest ranches say that most people who come to stay at a guest ranch share a love of the outdoors, although the majority of visitors are not experienced horseback riders. If you really want to get out and enjoy the scenery, the horseback riding is the best way. Rides generally are scheduled several times each day. Skill levels are taken into account when deciding what horse you will be riding while at the ranch and, often, guests will get training and greatly improve their skills as the week goes on.
But not everyone who comes to stay at a guest ranch is focused on horseback riding. "That's where the swimming pool comes in," says Trish Wilburn, owner of Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, "and the hot tub, the porch swing, the fishing pond - they never run out of things to do."
Ranch accommodations vary, but generally the ranches offer a more rustic type of lodging than people expect from a fancy resort. Private bathrooms are generally the rule, but rooms and cabins are more "clean and nice" than luxurious. The only people who are disappointed, ranch operators say, are the people who expect five-star accommodations, which can be impractical in the more remote locations.
The home-cooked food is where most guest ranches shine - ample helpings of beef, pork, chicken and many other basics are available either buffet-style or in family-style serving dishes ready for guests on the table.
Most ranches offer all-inclusive rates that include lodging, food and activities, and sometimes unlimited horseback riding. Prices for a week at a guest ranch can run from $800 to $1,400 per person, per week, depending on the season and whether horseback riding, taxes and gratuities are included. Daily rates are available at some ranches while others require a one-week minimum. Also ask for family or group rates, which may save you money if you're taking a family.
California offers several guest ranches located in various parts of California. Here are three examples of California guest ranches:
Greenhorn Creek Ranch - located near Quincy, California about 70 miles northwest of Reno, NV, this ranch has been catering to California travelers for many years. For the last five years, Ralph and Trish Wilburn have operated the ranch, steadily building clientele and adding amenities. This heavily timbered part of California is known for its many lakes and streams, and ranch guests are always impressed by the area's overall beauty. The ranch can accommodate up to 80 people in 16 cabins and 12 lodge rooms. A week-long stay at Greenhorn begins with a one-hour riding lesson and basic orientation that matches each guest with the appropriate horse. Throughout the week, guests can get additional instruction and ride on various terrains ranging from gentle slopes to dirt and gravel roads to trails. Other ranch activities include trout fishing in the ranch's own pond, swimming, frog-racing, square and line dancing, hayrides, bon fires, golf, hiking and even a rodeo. For more information, phone 800-587-2418 or visit www.greenhornranch.com.
Coffee Creek Ranch - This ranch is about 72 miles northwest of Redding and located in the heart of the Trinity Alps. This mountainous location is quite wooded and has long been known as an outdoorsman's favorite. Alicia Ryan is a third-generation owner of the ranch and has put together a variety of activities including horseback riding, swimming, gold panning, archery, skeet shooting and target practice, fly fishing, tubing on a local creek, kids' games, hayrides, bon fires, line and square dancing and even a talent show. All horseback rides take guests into the high country and many include meals or overnight stays. There is about one ranch employee for every two guests, and typically the ranch will accommodate around 50 people. Hiking trips can be planned, and mountain bike trails parallel the wilderness area. Summer youth programs are specially designed by age group. The ranch even has its own musical group, the "Rattlesnakes," to entertain guests. For more information, phone 800-624-4480 or visit www.coffeecreekranch.com.
Circle Bar B Ranch - located in the Santa Ynez mountains near Santa Barbara, the Circle Bar B is just three miles from the famous Reagan Ranch, where President Ronald Reagan lived, worked and played. Owner Kathy Williams and her family have been entertaining guests for many years not only with the ranch and its activities, but with a dinner theater that was started 38 years ago. Pat Brown, Kathy's brother and ranch co-owner, has busied himself building cabins and renovating rooms to the extent that the ranch now has an overnight capacity of 45 guests. Outside the main lodge is a swimming pool, set in a grassy area amongst the oak trees that populate many parts of the property. Not far away are the barns and corrals, and a group of mild-mannered horses that, several times each day, take guests onto many miles of nearby trails and roads. The rides at Circle Bar B are gentle. Terrain is chosen to be well-suited to the horses and generally allows good footing for the animals and lots of space between the horses. The hearty meals at the Circle Bar B are family style and the ranch owners mingle with guests at almost every meal. For more information, phone (805) 968-1113 or visit www.circlebarb.com.
Robert Redford's 1998 movie The Horse Whisperer strengthened the belief of many that there is magic in some people's silent communication with a horse. But according to Margie Moore of the Lazy M Ranch near Innisfail, Alberta, there is no magic involved, just plain old good communication. And here's the good news - you can learn how to do it yourself.
Get the Whole Package
Set in the small North Raven River valley, about two hours northwest of the City of Calgary, Lazy M started as a working cattle ranch in 1980. Ten years later, and with no regrets, Lane and Margie Moore turned the property into a guest ranch. Lazy M now welcomes up to 20 guests (double occupancy) at one time, and the Moores also run about 50 horses on the lush, 600-acre property.
Lane and Margie already had the peace and serenity of the valley, fishing in the clear waters of the North Raven, plus bird watching opportunities in the aspen groves, but they wanted to provide even more. "We wanted something different, something new," Margie says - a desire that led to 'Traditions with a Twist.' being offered to the general public.
Honing in on the drum, a universal instrument for ceremonies and communication, the Moores stepped outside the box by developing a dual experience day: drumming and horse communication. The drumming segment is a group icebreaker, very social, very fun. The work comes in the round penning session, where guests learn how to communicate without words.
Joining Up For Something New
In round penning, participants step into a corral with only Lane and an unbridled horse for company. Following Lane's guidance (he won't hold your hand, but he will hold your shoulders to point you in the right direction), guests learn the basic rules of "talking" to a horse.
Horses are herd animals - when they're in groups, there's a pecking order. Herds require a strong leader who will be alert for danger, know where to go to get away from danger and where to find food, water and salt.
"It's not a superior, 'I'm better than you are' attitude," says Margie, "but rather a need to know who is dominant." In the round pen, people immediately learn that horses don't care if you are an executive or a teen-aged student; they take you exactly as you are and they are great teachers, with no phoniness whatsoever.
"Horses read people by where the core is," says Margie. "Guests learn to be centered, to concentrate and to clearly lead by explaining in simple, easy terms what it is they want the horse to do."
It sometimes surprises people to learn that horses don't want you to be submissive. On the other hand, if you walk into the pen with your shoulders back and chest out, horses don't like that, either. You need to find a balance.
"We call it the ABC's of communication," says Margie, "awareness, boundaries, and consistency."
It's all about reading the horse's signals, being aware of their body posture and stance, of setting rules that you expect to be followed (not unlike raising a child) and following through with consistent behaviour.
And what if you're afraid of horses? Margie laughs. "In one session, Lane was in the pen with a girl who was quite nervous. The horse snorted and the girl jumped right into Lane's arms." She persevered though and came away with a new level of awareness and understanding.
Even though each horse responds differently and each person communicates differently, the end result is the same. When you turn your back, and the horse follows you, it's a pinnacle moment of success. It's called "joining up."
Discover a Magical Experience
Teaming up with drummer Shannon Powell from Olds, 'Traditions With a Twist' uses the drumming segment to help break down barriers. You don't have to have any musical talent to enjoy the drum. It's a relaxing activity that provides a sense of community as the group follows Shannon's lead, drumming slow and soft, harder and louder.
Whether drawn in by the rhythm of the music or on a natural high after joining up, the communal, cowboy themed lunch is a joyous celebration.
While the techniques of "horse whispering" are not magic, the 'Traditions With a Twist' experience at Lazy M definitely is, allowing guests (aged 12 and up) to come away with an awareness and appreciation of their own communication and leadership skills - and having fun while doing it.
Women and Horses
This Spring, the well-known Homeplace Ranch near Priddis is offering a unique opportunity for women to connect with horses and enjoy horseback riding in a tranquil, idyllic setting in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. 'Horses and You, a Retreat for Women with a Passion for the Equine' is a new program designed to help women learn to communicate with horses through energy, feelings and body language.
Homeplace Ranch owner Mac MaKenny says participants will come away with knowledge that they can apply in their family and work lives.
MaKenny notes that in communication in general, how a message is received relies 7% on what is said, 38% on how it is said, and 55% on the body language of the person relaying the message. The last two elements are the most critical with horses, too.
Running May 1, 2 and 3, Horses and You is being facilitated by Nancy Lowery, a recognized leader in instinctive leadership development.
Resources:
Lazy M Ranch
Homeplace Ranch
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