Description
This authentic ranch combines a touch of luxury with fantastic horse riding, horsemanship and a small amount of cattle working opportunities. Situated in Shell Valley, Wyoming, the ranch focuses primarily on horse riding and provides excellent horses for all levels of rider - those just starting out are treated with patience and given the help of professional trainers, whilst the seasoned rider will be matched to a responsive mount and can enjoy the company of experienced guides and talented cowboys. Approximately 650,000 acres is available to explore on trail rides and provides spectacular scenery from mountain tops to meadows, alpine forests to Sedona-like red rock country, high deserts and mountain creeks and lakes. The ranch trailer their horses to enable you to discover new country and rides, so you're not always setting out from the ranch itself.
Non-riders can enjoy excellent fly-fishing or other activities such as hiking, mountain tours or a trip to the shooting range. There is also a heated lap-pool with beautiful views of the mountains.
Stays are generally geared towards adults or families with older children who have some equestrian experience and who can enjoy the same activities as their parents, although children from 8 years and older are welcomed.
The horses are trained using Authentic Horsemanship (AH) methods and the wranglers are trusted professionals and skilful at matching guests with a horse which will provide them with a safe but enjoyable experience. The riding here is not "nose-to-tail" - the rides are tailored to suit the groups and are designed to be rewarding and varied with a diversity of scenery. With around 130 horses and roughly 25 guests per week, the horses are regularly rotated and given the opportunity for rest.
The ranch also keep a small herd of cattle who graze their pastures and guests can help round them up, push them into the arena and learn team penning. They practice low stress stockmanship which is akin to natural horsemanship and aims to put the least amount of stress on the animal using pressure and release. During hotter days it is not possible to play with the cattle and you will be encourage to head to the cooler mountains for trail rides instead.
Aside from the sensational horseback opportunities, holidays at this ranch bring a host of other delights. Guests are accommodated in western-style log cabins which provide a warm and well-maintained base from which to enjoy their stay. Beautiful lawns surround the cabins and the main lodge, hot-tub and swimming pond. There is also a choice of casitas or, for those wanting even more luxury, there are separate "homes" about a 10 minute walk away (see accommodation details below for more information). Food is an important aspect of this ranch stay with hearty western fare and gourmet dinners playing an enormous role. Delicious homemade breakfasts, tasty sandwiches (for the all day rides) or high class lunches and dinners are served in the dining room. The loft bar is the perfect spot to meet for cocktail hour every evening and to sample the complimentary appetisers!
The ranch strives to offer world class hospitality in all regards and prides itself on the quality of the staff, all of whom are treated as part of the ranch family. As an authentic 100-year old ranch, with four generations of ranching experience in this same valley, you can be assured of the "real deal". All-inclusive stays combine outstanding horse riding, excellent food, quality accommodation, pampering and great hospitality for the ultimate western vacation.
NB. The ranch horses have Saturday afternoons and Sundays off work so there is no riding then.
