Okay, let me squeltch the snickering before I get started. Contrary to what the name may seem, the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is NOT some adult only, hedonistic place. Instead, it is a family operated dude ranch on over 5,000 acres with over 60 horses. And that is DUDE not NUDE!
Ok, now that I have that cleared up, let me describe the place and some of the activities to you. First of all, this is a working family ranch. By that I mean they raise beef cattle, do a large amount of tree farming, and run this dude ranch. The lodge is 10,000 square feet made of massive log timber and has a large dining area and all of the tables and chairs are hand made from smaller trees and timbers. As one may expect, there are a number of taxidermied animals adorning the walls.
The first day, the owners of the ranch take you around to the different buildings to show you around and encourage you to just explore on your own without hesitation. Then the head wrangler will assign you a horse based on an information sheet you have filled out with regards to how experienced you are, how comfortable you are around horses, and that sort of thing. Then, that horse is yours for the week unless you want a different horse. Every morning the wranglers would bring this thundering herd of horses from the pasture up to the barn to saddle up and get ready to ride for the day.
Here I am on Albert, my assigned horse for the week. In this picture, Albert does not appear all that large but this magnificent beast seemed like he was 7 feet tall.
We all rode the horses on the trails, including Bonnie's parents, but some of us rode some of the longer trails and also rode when you could have the horse canter. Before you could go on a cantering ride you had to pass a loping test administered by the wrangler. If you did not pass you could not canter. I did not take the test because I knew what the results would be. Below are several pictures taken while on the trail rides.
Bonnie's dad, 87, getting ready to leave on a ride.
Our lunch spot around a lake on the property
For those of you who have been reading my blog for a few years, this picture should not surprise you when it is near our anniversary.
One of the mares just had a colt about 4 weeks ago and this little guy love to hang out with the guests of the ranch.
We took a break from riding horses to go into the Schweitzer Mountain snow ski area. Here is a view from the top in the following few pictures.
Tonight's evening meal was sort of a chuck wagon cookout out in the middle of the forest.
Some of the guests, including Bonnie in the picture below, mounted horses to ride a fast canter out to the chuck wagon site.
Back at the ranch the family entertain the guests with fiddle and guitar music around a campfire.
The dude ranch was an absolutely delightful experience. Personally I think horses are an animal of beauty, but we never had them when I was growing up so I am indifferent about riding them. However, Bonnie showed horses as a teenager, so she was totally in her element here at the ranch, therefore, I am thrilled we experienced this.
Loved this post!
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