After a swim in the pool and a soak in the hot tub, I joined guests in the main lodge for their final social gathering and outdoor barbecue. The stories of their week’s riding adventures were abundant, and everyone seemed eager to return, one on her sixth visit. I spent the next few days learning the secret to The Hideout’s success.

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch History

In 1995, David Flitner and Paula De Cabooter-Flitner started construction of the guest ranch, building the main lodge, cabins, arena, and barn on a prime riverfront location of the property, offering unobstructed views of the Big Horn Mountains.

Initially named after a local historical ranch, Trapper Creek Guest Ranch, it was rebranded as Hideout Adventures, Inc. Peter De Cabooter, Paula’s nephew, arrived from Belgium in 2006 to help, and a year later was joined by his wife Marijn and their twin boys.

The reins were eventually handed over to Peter, and The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch began its growth.

Year-Round Focus

Taking over full ownership in 2017, Peter began the transition from a seasonal three or four months per year operation into a more sustainable year-round business. His corporate experience is key to The Hideout’s success today.

“In order to keep a reliable crew and create a culture, we needed to offer more year-round jobs for our staff,” he says.

Peter follows the “3 C Culture” of character, conduct and competence.

“One can train for competence, but not for character and conduct,” he explains. “And this is even harder in a seasonal environment.”

Having the right crew focusing on the principles of their authentic hospitality—taking care of its people, guests, and horses—is of the utmost importance, as is their branded Authentic Horsemanship.

Authentic Horsemanship

When Marijn first arrived at the ranch, she was far from a cowgirl. Mileage in the saddle and exposure to many horse trainers, including Yvet Blokesch of Featherlite Academy in the Netherlands and Parelli trainers Farrah Green and Amy Bowers, Marijn gained well-rounded horsemanship skills.

Marijn was introduced to liberty work by Kirsten Brein, trainee of Lorenzo the Flying Frenchman, and now shares her knowledge with interested guests. From various training methods, The Hideout shaped their own branded Authentic Horsemanship based on a trusting relationship through communication, respect and understanding.

Peter describes it as “An ethical, respectful, safe, enjoyable and professional approach, getting the best out of both horse and rider.”

The Horses and Trails

I could sense the Authentic Horsemanship methodology from the saddle while on one of their many horses. With over 650,000 acres to explore and elevations ranging from 4,200 to 13,100 feet, there are a broad range of climates and plenty of biodiversity within riding distance of the ranch.

We chose the cooler canyon ride to escape the August heat. I would be riding with Peter and Marijn’s son Victor, as well as Nina Reuter, a German woman who was originally a Hideout guest, but who left a corporate life in New York to join the Hideout crew.

We crossed rushing rivers surrounded by lush greenery in the red rock canyons, cantered on sandy footing, and galloped past the red Needle Rock towering above us. A short trailer ride brought us to the nearby bentonite clay-painted hills.

My mount, a palomino Quarter Horse named Sheridan, was a true gem. Being well tuned in neck reining, there was minimal rein contact needed, and gaits changed simply from my seat.

“What a wonderful treat for a trail horse,” I said to Nina.

“Yes,” she replied. “The key is to train the guests how to ride our horses.”

Orientation and Safety Talk

All guests, from beginner to advanced riders, participate in an extensive safety orientation at the start of the week, then mount up for an ability assessment.

I watched guests ranging in ages from 11 to 75 walk in a circle and stop, trot along the rail, and depending on their self-proclaimed ability, perform a few canter strides. Instructed to use only their seat for balance, some experienced difficulties, but Marijn reassured improvement by week’s end. It was a safe yet revealing way to split into groups before hitting the trails.

Returning later with big grins, everyone had fun and felt comfortable. Catering rides to their guests’ preference on length, pace, and terrain, the wranglers could now make informed decisions on who was capable of what.

The Whole Package

In my short visit, I concluded that what brings guests back repeatedly to The Hideout is their attention to detail, consistency, and authenticity. Their hospitality and horsemanship benefits everyone, especially the horses, creating a perfect balance.

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch in Shell, Wyo., ticks all the boxes necessary for a comfortable adventure on safe horses in spectacularly diverse scenery. I applaud them!

Learn more about a visit to The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch at thehideout.com.

This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch: Get Away From It All appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The scenery may be stunning, the food and staff top-notch, but ultimately, it’s the four-legged workforce that makes for a memorable trip at any dude ranch.

“It takes a special kind of horse to have a different rider every week,” notes Meris Stout, owner of Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch. “A lot of horses don’t have the right temperament to have different riders and be patient.”

Guest ranches and outfitters in different states share what goes into finding and maintaining these equine memory-makers.

Drowsy Water Ranch

Bordering thousands of acres of spectacular backcountry and the Arapahoe National Forest, Drowsy Water Ranch (DWR) near Granby, Colo., has been a guest ranch for 90 years. Since 1977, it’s been owned by the Fosha family.

With a string of about 120 horses and two mules, DWR accommodates riders of all skill levels for six-night, all-inclusive stays. During the season (late May to early September), horses are ridden an average of three to four days a week and are pastured every night. Ideally, the horses work one week and have the next week off.

Quarter Horses are the main breed—some registered, some not—but there are also quite a few Paints and about 30 full draft or draft crosses.

“Some of our best horses are draft crosses,” says ranch manager Justin Fosha. “They seem to be good keepers in the mountains, can carry a [heavier rider], and are still very athletic.”

DWR buys from multiple sources, including backyard owners, cattle ranchers, breeders and horse traders. Although price varies greatly, Justin says the average price in their area is $3,000 to $5,000.

About 50 percent of the ranch’s horses are bought locally, while the other 50 percent come from sales and auctions, ranging from the Denver area to Montana.

“We also go to sales specific to drafts or draft crosses,” says Fosha, noting that the only drawback is many draft horses still need to learn to neck rein.

For DWR, the ideal horse is 5 to 15 years old and well-broke with a trustworthy temperament. Good feet are important because of the rocky trails. Most horses are shod all around.

DWR horses only work the summer season and spend the rest of the year pastured on the fields where the ranch raises its own hay, a nutritious mountain grass mix. The whole herd is fed grain while working in the summer and receive daily hay once the snow comes. Shoes are pulled for the winter.

At 1,300 acres total, DWR has enough land to retire a horse to pasture if he becomes unusable due to age or injury.

“We don’t send old horses to auction,” says Fosha. “We’d rather them be humanely put down at the ranch than sent on a truck to Mexico.”

DWR currently has 12 pensioned horses, some of which have been with the ranch for 30-plus years. A few are still used on a limited basis, such as a once-a-week ride for a young guest. This group is kept where they get senior feed daily and have hay in front of them 24/7.

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch

The Land of Enchantment is home to Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch in southwestern New Mexico. Although the ranch covers just 20 acres, it is surrounded by the 3.3 million-acre Gila National Forest, one of the largest federal land masses in the lower 48 States.

Originally started as a hunting lodge in the 1980s, since 2007, it’s been owned by the Esterly family: Harry, Diana, daughter Meris Esterly Stout, and Meris’s husband Seth.

Their current stable consists of 32 horses, which are mostly Quarter Horses and draft crosses.

“We’re in a very mountainous area, so we’ve found that a bigger horse does better here,” says Meris. “We like 15.2 hands as a minimum, up to about 16.2 hands.” She adds that it’s important for horses to neck rein, as guests want a free hand for taking photos.

“When we bought the ranch 15 years ago, you could get a good trail horse for $1,500 to $2,000,” she says. “Multiply that by seven now for the same quality horse. Most of that increase seems to have been in past four to five years. Recently, I’ve had good luck getting them at the auction in Billings, Montana. A lot of good quality horses go through there.”

Meris prefers to buy in the 5- to 10-year-old age range.

Off-season is Mid-November through early March. Horses winter at the ranch, which hauls in hay year-round since there aren’t pastures for grazing.

Most horses will have shoes pulled, except for the few that Meris and Seth ride through winter, often helping a neighboring rancher with cattle work. These are typically younger horses whose training benefits from more hours under saddle.

“As the horses get older, we use lighter riders and shorter rides,” she says. “Just like with people, it’s good for the older horses to keep moving.”

Because the ranch has limited acreage, retiring horses there isn’t usually an option. An exception to that is Casper, the ranch patriarch, who just retired at age 30 in 2022.

“He was here when we bought the ranch; he’s not going anywhere,” says Meris. Their other retiring horses are taken to an equine adoption facility in Colorado that specializes in rehoming former guest ranch mounts through The Annie Project (see below).

“They work hard for us, so when they’re done here, we want them to go to a good home,” she adds. “We’ve taken at least two trips to this rescue because they find good places for them to live out their days.”

Bliss Creek Outfitters

A native of Dubois, Wyo., Rusty Sanderson grew up on a ranch and has been riding since age 5. He’s worked in the outfitting business since 1995, ran his own outfitter’s camp for a decade, and has owned Bliss Creek Outfitters since 2015. Based out of Dubois, he rides and hunts out of the Washakie Wilderness in the Shoshone National Forest.

“We cover from Dubois to Cody, Wyoming,” says Sanderson, who offers summer pack trips (June to September) and three 20-day guide schools (June 1 to August 31).

His current equine string consists of 14 mules and 10 horses, which include draft crosses, Quarter Horses, Morgans and Fox Trotters.

Riding in the rugged wilderness, Sanderson prefers mules.

“They’re smoother, travel at a better pace, and are better at navigating rough trails,” he says, adding that mules also maintain their weight better during the season.

The best mounts are about 15 hands tall, stout, and smooth-traveling. Good feet are essential because of the rocky terrain. Horses are shod all around.

Horses and mules need to be trained to be on a picket and tie on a high line, since both methods are commonly used.

Sanderson bought the majority of his stock at auctions in Wyoming and through friends.

“Prices really increased dramatically since Covid,” he says. “I used to be able to buy a good horse for $1,500, and that won’t touch one now. Good-quality horses and mules range from $7,000 to $20,000.”

For the first year after buying any horse or mule, he doesn’t put clients on them.

“I ride them myself [first],” he says. “If they do well under the guides, they will be used for clients the following year.”

When a horse or mule gets to an age where mountain work becomes too strenuous, Sanderson tries to sell them privately whenever possible.

Some outfitters board their horses or mules at large ranches for the off-season, but these operations typically only feed hay when it snows. Sanderson keeps his stock at home in Dubois, where they’re kept on smaller acreage, can be monitored more closely, and fed hay daily throughout the winter, even though this means going through 100 tons of hay every year.

“I’m picky about taking care of them,” he says. Sanderson notes that horses and mules are truly the backbone of his business.

This article about dude ranch horses appeared in the April 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Guest Ranch Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

By Horse illustrated Staff with the Dude Ranchers’ Association

A memorable and life-changing vacation should be on everyone’s bucket list. For some people, that vacation would entail a beach paradise or traveling overseas to a foreign country. But for horse lovers, a dude ranch vacation offers an experience like no other. 

Dude ranch vacations are one of the top-rated vacations for families, couples or even solo travelers in the United States and Canada. These all-inclusive destinations can offer the adventure of a lifetime. So what’s stopping you from riding off into the sunset? The great news is that this type of vacation could be much more accessible than you think.

1. All-Inclusive Value
Most dude ranch vacations are all-inclusive, with your meals, lodging and the majority of the ranch activities included for one price. At a dude ranch, all the details are taken care of, from meal planning to a full itinerary of activities. 

If you’re traveling with a group, scheduling to please everyone just got that much simpler—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. When you break down the cost of what’s included, a dude ranch vacation is probably going to be a much bigger bargain than you ever anticipated. 

2. Options Abound
Deciding on a ranch is the first step toward making your ranch riding dreams a reality—but it may be the hardest part, given the number of options! From mountain meadows to desert arroyos, dude ranches cover a variety of terrain and scenery. The geographic location of the ranch defines the riding and activities offered; it’s up to you to choose a ranch to live out your dream vacation.

The season for guest ranches in northern states typically runs late May through mid-September, with peak months for family vacations in July and August. For ranches in the southern regions, warm-weather riding getaways during the winter months are prime time. Ranch getaways can be booked ranging from three- to seven-night stays, depending on the ranch.

Booking early is usually recommended for the busy months, but if your schedule is flexible, you might be able to find last-minute deals. Shopping the “shoulder season”—right before or after prime time—may also offer good deals as well. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing time or prefer a kid-free trip, early or late season is the best time to go.  

For ranches that offer seasonal opportunities such as cattle drives with spring and fall roundups, you’ll need to time your trip to coincide with these events. Many ranches also offer special activities at certain times, such as riding clinics, yoga retreats, photography workshops and more. You can also find ranches with year-round programming, including winter sleigh rides. 

3. Go Rustic Without Roughing It
Whether bunking in a tent under the stars or in a cabin, dude ranches cater to guests’ comfort at all levels. You’ll find all brands of rustic charm and western ambience, along with amazing views. 

But you can define just how rugged you want to go: dude ranches run the gamut from glamping to spa-like amenities. No matter where you choose to make yourself at home on the range, count on bunking down with comfy bed and bath arrangements to rest and recharge with a good night’s sleep at the end of a full day. 

Pack smart. Click here for a downloadable Dude Ranch Vacation Packing List!

While an authentic western experience is a cornerstone of a ranch vacation and you can expect to enjoy activities that are part of that, dude ranches are fully staffed and hospitality is a top priority. You only have to get as dirty and dusty as you want to! 

There is a lot that goes into making a dude or guest ranch run smoothly. The number of guests a ranch can host determines the size of the crew and the type of social experience you’ll have as a guest. Consider whether you’d rather dine with an intimate group of eight or a boisterous bunch of 80 when selecting a ranch.

When the dinner bell rings, expect to be delighted. The food you’ll enjoy at a dude ranch often has a farm-to-table focus with an emphasis on fresh fare and ranch-raised beef. Dining caters to a variety of palates, from family style to five-star cooking. Many ranches offer the chance to experience meals in the great outdoors, whether cooked over an open fire or served from a chuckwagon.

4. It’s Just Your Style
There are ranches that cater to every option, from family-friendly outfits with kids’ programs to great girlfriend getaways and more. Every dude ranch will offer a unique guest experience, but in general, there are three main types of ranches to choose from:

• WORKING RANCH—Are you dreaming of a cattle drive? These guest ranches are working cattle operations. Your horseback riding adventures will be determined by the ranch’s livestock and the work related to them. Be prepared to experience the exhilaration of trying these activities firsthand.
• DUDE RANCH—Horseback riding is central to these ranches. The cowboy in you will experience western riding and a variety of outdoor activities.
• RANCH RESORT—Horseback riding is featured along with an array of diverse activities and onsite facilities. These are apt to be the larger ranches with added luxuries.

5. Ride to Your Heart’s Content
Horses are at the heart of any dude ranch. There are horseback riding programs tailored for every level, with great riding adventures for anyone. But for experienced equestrians, a ranch vacation is a chance to live your dreams, whether that’s working cattle, trying out team penning, going on an overnight pack trip in the mountains, or riding the most scenic trails. 

Riding at a dude ranch is customizable for the time you want to spend in the saddle and the pace that’s comfortable for you. Half and full-day rides are common offerings, as well as special adventures such as taking part in a guest rodeo, or riding off into the sunset on an evening trail ride. 

When in doubt, speak to the ranch’s staff before you book to make sure the type of guest horses available and the riding excursions offered meet the level you’re looking for—whether that’s easygoing trail rides or high-speed cattle sorting.

6. Experience Other Outdoor Activities
The dude ranch experience centers around getting outdoors. It’s all about the amazing scenery, unplugging, and reconnecting with nature. 

Out of the saddle, dude ranches offer an array of activities for a well-rounded vacation. Many ranches offer water activities like whitewater rafting, float trips, paddle boarding and more. Hiking trails also abound on dude ranch properties. Most guest ranches border national park or forest lands for exceptional hiking opportunities. 

Fishing is another top activity at dude ranches. Cast your line and fish blue-ribbon waters and some of the finest trout fishing the West has to offer.  For the adventurous, zip-lining, rock climbing, skeet shooting and archery await.

Most importantly, a dude ranch vacation offers a chance to rediscover the art of relaxation and escape from the stress of modern living. Blue skies, beautiful sunsets, fresh air, starry nights and the sounds of silence are all included in your dude ranch vacation. 

Produced in partnership with the Dude Ranchers’ Association.

This article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Touching Down in Paradise

Arriving at the tiny airport, our plane made a steep descent to meet the short runway amid scenery so beautiful I was already snapping pictures out the plane’s window. Keeping the 1930s-era airport at its original size was part of a compromise between the town, which wanted an easy way for tourists to get there, and the National Park Service, which procured the land that includes the airport as part of Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

I was greeted by a member of the team and shown to “my” GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (Denali is the luxury trim package, with leather seats and all the goodies). After a quick tutorial of every bell and whistle, I was on my own to drive it from the airport to the dude ranch in Jackson Hole where we were staying.

Even though my GPS was programmed and the greeter had told me not to take a certain turn because of road closures, I accidentally did anyway and ended up on a deeply rutted dirt back road. This turned out to be a lot of fun, even though I had to drive about 5 mph. The truck handled the enormous rain-filled ruts easily. Any smaller car attempting this drive would have had its axels snapped in two within seconds. It was a real white-knuckler, but a good entry into the beautiful wilderness nonetheless.

When I arrived at Spring Creek Ranch, the dude ranch in Jackson Hole, I got checked in and made my way to the two-bedroom cabin at the dude ranch in Jackson Hole. It had a balcony with a gorgeous view of the mountains, a fireplace, and rustic wood accents. Heaven!

Going to Jackson

I had time for a quick drive into the town of Jackson to grab some lunch and walk around, and was treated to a stagecoach going by and equestrian ambassadors around the town square. The wood-plank sidewalks look just like an Old West town. There are tons of artisan shops and restaurants to keep you busy, and just past the town you can see the ski slopes, which were covered in green grass during our June trip.

I immediately knew I could live in this beautiful place. Alas, there is basically no new construction allowed, which is understandable to preserve the open spaces. But this means there is no real estate for sale, unless you happen to have a few million bucks to buy a ranch or mansion. So, hotels it will be!

Dude Ranch in Jackson Hole: Floating Along

Next up was a rafting trip on the Snake River. Our guide pointed out some bald eagles that were hunting for fish as we floated along. The river was still cloudy from the spring melt, but would turn crystal-clear in July or August, when fly-fishing season hits its peak. At one point we paused to hop out of the raft, since the river was only a couple of feet deep. The water felt like ice, although it was about 50 degrees.

We continued to float down the river until we arrived at our dinner location, a tent that was set up along the river bank on a private cattle ranch. The views were incredible and the food was even better. Salmon, steak, potatoes and salads were all artfully crafted by the Genevieve Catering company. After a beautiful sunset, it was time to return to the ranch.

Early the next morning we had a wildlife safari that I was especially looking forward to. A guide from the ranch drove my Sierra out to some great lookout spots and helped us identify moose, elk and pronghorn through high-powered binoculars. We spotted some of the wild bison in the area as we neared the bend in the Snake River where the famous Ansel Adams photograph was taken.

Our guide was an avid mountaineer and had summited Grand Teton (aka “The Grand”)—the highest peak in the Tetons—several times.
Grant Teton is 13,775 high, and sure doesn’t look like anything I could imagine getting to the top of! Apparently the winds (up to 70 mph and higher) can knock you right off if you’re not very careful.

Dude Ranch in Jackson Hole: A Ride to Remember

The name “Jackson Hole” describes the area around the valley as first described by trappers, whereas the town proper is called Jackson. Jackson Hole is located just south of Yellowstone National Park, so I will definitely be making the trip to Yellowstone the next time I visit.

Next up was a trail ride with Spring Creek Ranch’s saintly horses. Each and every horse is deemed beginner-safe. I hopped on a pretty gray gelding named Ice, and we headed up an incline away from the barn. We arrived almost instantly at a dizzying panoramic vista overlooking the peaks and valleys around Jackson.

After a few more climbs, we settled in single-file along a ridge covered in wildflowers, overlooking the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge. This is a federally owned preserve where 1,000 bison and 7,500 elk winter each year; the land is fenced in such a way that once they jump in through the entrances they can’t get out. Here they have access to food and water until the spring thaw, when they are let out again. The refuge became necessary to keep the elk numbers from dwindling further after the town of Jackson blocked their winter migration route to natural food sources.

The day we saw it, the Elk Refuge was green and spectacular to look at, with winding little streams throughout. In May, shortly before our visit, the annual Elkfest auction of antlers took place. The antlers shed by elk in the refuge each spring are gathered by Boy Scouts and auctioned to the public, with funds split 75/25 between habitat improvement in the refuge and the Boy Scouts program.

Trailers in Tow

After returning from the ride, our last activity was a GMC towing demonstration with Eric Stanczak, chief engineer of full-size trucks. I got to drive the Sierra 3500HD Denali, which is a lot more powerful than my tow vehicle at home. I enjoyed learning how to turn, stop and check mirrors while hauling a much longer trailer than I’m used to around some steep switchbacks.

We had one last meal back at the dude ranch in Jackson Hole, a dinner catered under a tent near the horse paddocks. Talking excitedly about the trip with new friends, it was hard to believe that I would soon be leaving this magical place. It’s truly a natural wonderland in which any equestrian or nature-lover feels right at home. The crystal-clean air and natural surroundings are food for the soul in the midst of the crazy-busy pressures of modern life.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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