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- Equestrian Programs
1480 East Fork Rd
Dubois, Wyoming 82513
800.545.0019
307.455.3363
Fax: 307.455.2354
Contact Us
Approved by the Certified Horsemanship Association.
Approved by the
British Horse Society
for riding holidays.
Horseback Riding Vacation
"Horse Lovers Will Think They've Died and Gone to Heaven"
says "1,000 Places to See before You Die" about the Bitterroot Ranch.
There is a great variety of terrain near the ranch to add interest to a horseback riding vacation.
Horseback riding is the main activity at our ranch where many of the horses have been raised and trained. A herd of about 135 horses under saddle for around 25 clients makes it easy to provide suitable mounts in top condition throughout the season. Rides are kept small and guests are grouped according to skill. On most days there are 2-3 hour morning and afternoon rides. All day picnic excursions on Saturdays enable you to explore the high country and most weeks there will be an opportunity to herd cattle.
Trail Riding
This is an area of vast expanses offering you an exceptional variety of riding terrain. Some rides wind through cottonwood and spruce trees along the river; others take you through the sagebrush of the high plains desert, where the sandy soil provides good footing for spirited canters. Still others climb up through aspen groves, which become a glorious gold in the fall. In the high country the rugged pine clad mountains give way to Alpine meadows. There are several abandoned settler homesteads and cowboy camps in the area.
Riding Lessons
There are several certified riding instructors at the ranch. You are offered the chance to take video taped lessons at beginner and intermediate levels on two mornings a week. These lessons with a maximum of 6 guests lead to a heightened awareness of the conncection between horse and rider and will increase your confidence and enjoyment of riding holidays. We also host an annual Centered Riding Clinic.
You can expect quality horses and experienced wranglers at the Bitterroot Ranch.
Cross country jumping is an option for experienced riders. Few dude ranches offer this opportunity.
Cross Country Course
We have a cross country course with over 80 jumps which advanced riders who have prior cross country experience can try during the week. It is not an intimidating course since no jump is more than three foot, but there are a wide variety of obstacles including ditches, drops, oxers, pickets, coops and walls. Riders are required to warm up over small jumps in the arena to make sure they will not interfere with their horse.
Cattle Drives
Since the Bitterroot is also a working ranch you will have the opportunity to move cattle on our summer grazing lease in the national forest through July, August and September. The cows frequently need to be checked to be sure they have not been eaten by grizzlies or wolves and they are periodically rotated around the allotment, part of which is in the wilderness. On Friday afternoons we have a friendly team sorting competition in our arena which provides a great introduction to working cattle from horseback.
Working cattle on horseback adds another
dimension to a riding vacation.
Team sorting competitions on Friday afternoons
provide an interesting equestrian challenge.
Tack
Our horses are trained Western so they are used to neck reining and going on a loose rein. We mostly use Western saddles, but there are endurance and English saddles available for those who prefer them and have an independent seat and hands. We are very careful to check that the saddles fit each horse well and we are happy to share our expertise in this area with anyone who is interested.
Ride Safety
Your safety is of vital concern to us. We keep rides small, carefully match horses to riders, see that people of similar skills ride together and train ride leaders carefully. We insist that everyone wear a hard hat and our trail guides carry mobile phones to summon help in case it is needed. For more detailed information about our philosophy on horse safety, read the article on the subject by Bayard Fox.
The badlands provide contrasting terrain.
Moving out in the high country
Picnic rides can take you to the
highcountry with breathtaking views.
Owner Participation
The Fox Family feels that the quality of our equestrian program is of paramount importance; therefore Mel, Bayard, Hadley and Richard lead rides personally nearly every day, which shows their dedication.
Audio Podcast: Mel talks with Anna Twinney about her youth riding on her family farm at the foot of Kilimanjaro