Improve your riding at a work ranch

According to Ranch Rider, travellers still think working ranches cater specifically for the more experienced rider; but this is a common misconception.

Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, comments:

“We often surprise customers who hold this view as there are working ranches out there that are perfect for beginners and even families. Perhaps the style of ranching is different, as on an authentic cattle ranch you’ll experience the cut and thrust of real working cowboy life - from rounding up the herd to branding, fixing fences and even calving.

“Nevertheless, the majority are ideally suited to non-riding partners, children and those looking to saddle up for the first time. Of course, guest or dude ranches, as they are more commonly known, tend to offer more in the way of activities, but smaller guest numbers combined with a greater degree of personal/expert tuition mean greenhorns shouldn’t rule out a stay on a working ranch.”

The Bucking S Working Ranch in Wyoming caters for the novice and children aged eight and upwards. Weekly cattle drives and scenic rides through Seminoe State Park and Pathfinder Reservoir are complimented by gentle horses, special instruction for beginners and expert tuition from real working wranglers on roping, cutting and horsemanship.

Anglers can also fish at ‘The Miracle Mile’ - a world-class blue-ribbon "wild" trout fishery purported to be one of the best fishing holes in Wyoming, and the ranches proximity to several reservoirs makes it ideal for water sports. Trips to local rodeos and fairs are available in the summer and there are even options to go rock climbing, hiking and trap shooting.

10% discount for weeks May 17th - June 7th, now only £979pp (two sharing), £757pp (8-12 years), £861pp (13-18 years) including gratuities.

Excludes car hire of £187. Book consecutive weeks and receive an additional 10% off the price of the second week. Return flights from £469pp. Departures May to October.

The Double Spear Ranch in Montana is suitable for beginners and children aged eight and upwards. Steeped in Native American history, the ranch is situated on Crow Reservation land, and the owner shares his personal history with Sitting Bull. Chief Plenty Coups, once the chief of all the Indian tribes in the days of the true Wild West, is still a renowned figure in the area and there is a museum dedicated to his life near to the ranch.

The cowboy work changes with the seasons from cattle driving in the summer to round-ups in the autumn and there’s even a chance for novices to brush up on their western skills with roping and horsemanship lessons in the newly refurbished arena. Campfires and pack trips are all part of the programme, the overnight camp out at Castle Rock Gap being a major highlight.

Indian legend says the ‘little people’ reside here and the site is still used by Native Americans on their spiritual vision quests. 7-nights £769pp (no single supplement), £399pp (8-11 years) including transfers. Excludes gratuities left to guests’ discretion. Return flight from £499pp. Departures 27 May to 23 September.

Finding your inner cowboy has never been easier at the Price Canyon - an Arizona based working ranch, which takes riders of all abilities. Forget the basic bunkhouse, as the luxury accommodations will suit the most ‘Prada-esque’of ranchers, and the upscale homestead only accepts children over 12 years. When not lazing by the pool, would be wranglers can ride through grassy meadows or more challenging terrain, with two rides a day included in the package (except Sundays).

Ample instruction is given before hitting the trail and private hourly lessons can be booked in advance from £34pp. Eight cattle drives are offered throughout the year, with alternative activities including hiking, canoeing, wildlife viewing and pond fishing. £1,035pp (two sharing) including gratuities. Excludes car hire from £187. Return flight from £499pp. Departures year round.

There are some riders who are neither novices nor fully-fledged cowboys, and for those looking to get back in the saddle there is always the ‘adult only’ Silver Spur.

Tony Daly comments: “Even if you used to ride over twenty years ago - riding horses is a little like riding a bike. We know that this category of riders will still be up for a challenge and this is the perfect ranch.”

The Idaho based homestead offers ranch stays, pack trips, horse drives and colt training - all of the activities wetting the appetite of anyone looking to reacquainted with the art of riding. £999pp (no single supplement) including gratuities and transfers. Return flights from £479pp. Departures June to September.

Ranch Rider has a full list of offers on the website at: ranchrider.com and as the tour operator forward bought the majority of its currency way back in Autumn 2008, even before discounts, "would be" ranchers can expect to make savings of up to 20%.