Experience Horseback Riding During Your Ranch Vacation

The Experience

Wide-open skies, sagebrush hillsides and snow-capped peaks are even more beautiful on horseback. Part of the experience of our Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star luxury guest ranch is having everything for exceptional horseback riding vacations at your fingertips as part of a privately guided activity.

Our program is highly customizable for each guest, with wranglers at the ready to guide you through this essential ranch vacation experience. The Ranch operates in the spirit of play, where travelers immerse themselves in the riding culture of Western Montana, rather than seeing it through the slats on a corral.

With 6,600 acres to explore and miles of trails, there are always new adventures for all riding levels. Flat creekside trails are best for beginners while treks to peaks and rolling pine trails are enjoyed by intermediate to advanced riders. After you get fitted with boots and a hat, our wranglers ensure you are comfortable on a horse that matches your experience level. They give a basic lesson on natural horsemanship skills, horse tendencies and rider safety.

Our small group size ensures we are not a nose-to-tail property. There are opportunities for trotting and loping on all trails, contingent on rider ability and comfort level. Longer half and full-day rides are offered for intermediate and advanced riders when scheduled in advance.

Horseback Riding Lessons

Enhance your riding acumen with one-hour arena riding lessons. Arena lessons are suited to children and adults at all riding levels. Riders of all disciplines can benefit from a personalized learning experience at The Ranch. Lessons are a great opportunity for beginner riders to gain confidence or for intermediate riders to discover new techniques. Arena games are created at the discretion of the wrangler to best suit the ability and comfort of the riders. Complete an obstacle course, learn how to barrel race or how to pole bend. Try a Horsemanship 101 session in the round pen, learning ground exercises that develop trust with horses. During the summer, you can see how the pros do it during our weekly rodeo.

Roping lessons

Roping lessons are available to guests of all ages. Guests will first learn the basics of building a loop and practice roping a dummy-steer.

Before the rodeo each Tuesday in the summer, one of our experienced wranglers leads a tour of the Camp Roosevelt arena and explains the history and husbandry of the rodeo – aided by our knowledgeable Ranch Manager who competed in PRCA bull-riding for eight years. Then, guests get involved by helping wrap the roping steers, trying their skills on the bucking barrel, helping sort the rough stock and watching practice rounds through the arena.

The Ranch hosts a weekly ranch rodeo. Cheer on your favorite wranglers as they race around the barrels, rope and show off other skills that are necessary to care for and herd animals on a ranch.