C O N N E C T IC U T
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DUDE RANCH VACATIONS
January/February 2019 connhorse.com $4
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU
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Dude Ranch Vacations How to Choose the Right One for You
Sally L. Feuerberg
by Sally L. Feuerberg
The Rocking Z Guest Ranch owned, operated, and managed by Zack and Patty Wirth in Wolf Creek, Montana.
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he chores were done for the day. Tucked in for the night, our horses were fed and were peacefully enjoying their evening hay. My husband Bob and I were settling down for a quiet Saturday evening in front of the television for some well-deserved relaxation time, and, as usual, a fair amount of channel surfing was in order. We were both just looking for some light entertainment when we stumbled across a show called Debbe Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up on the RFD-TV channel. You might remember Debbe Dunning as Heidi, the Tool Time girl, from television’s Home Improvement. On this particular show, however, we discovered she showcased some of the best dude ranches in the country. We started following the show and became enthralled by all the different places and choices that were available right here in the United States. Some of the states that were featured included Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, California, and Montana, all areas I’d never really thought about actually visiting except in my imagination. The notion of riding horses through majestic mountains, working on a cattle ranch, or simply getting away for a few days began to transition from a distant dream to a tangible reality.
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I have to admit, I was getting excited about the idea, and it was delightful to see that my husband was as enthusiastic and eager as I to initiate our vacation planning. The 2018 spring and summer seasons in our part of the state had been a mixture of rain, storms, and oppressive humidity, and we were both ready for a change of scenery. Bob actually took charge of the entire investigation, and we started our quest by visiting dude ranch websites. Although there are guest ranches, as they are sometimes called, throughout the country and all around the globe, we decided to concentrate our research on locations out West. Within days, we started receiving a multitude of brochures and there were a lot of decisions to be made! If you’ve ever contemplated a trip like this, or it’s one of those goals on your bucket list, read on to learn how to make your dream come true.
Planning Your Trip
A good place to start is to decide what type of terrain you want to ride. Do you want to ride on open meadows, prairies, or mountain trails, or do southwestern deserts intrigue you? What type of riding do you want to
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do — daily trail rides, working livestock, cattle drives, pack trips, team penning, or maybe some arena or gymkhana-type games? Or a combination of these activities? If your partner, or members of your group or family don’t ride, but would still like to be part of the adventure, look for alternative activities that nonriders can enjoy while you’re out horsing around. Hiking, nature walks, mountain biking, river rafting, fishing, shooting, and archery were just a few of the many choices offered by the ranches. Do you have children joining you on your vacation? That’s another very important part of your ultimate choice of destinations. Many ranches offer horses and programs catering to children of all ages, and some even offer babysitting services. If riding is a priority, as it was for us, opportunities are available for riders of all abilities — seasoned riders, intermediate riders, or those completely new to horses. Most ranches we found were adaptable to all proficiency levels, and offered all types of equestrian activities to sharpen and expand your skills. Another significant element of the process is to consider how many guests a ranch can host. Some ranches offer
courtesy of Bar W Guest Ranch
Ride every season at the Bar W Guest Ranch on Spencer Lake in Whitefish, Montana. The ranch has a local connection — it’s owned by the Leishman family of Suffield.
accommodations and enough horses for up to 100 visitors, while others offer lodging for as few as eight guests. Are amenities important to you? If you need wireless internet, television, room service, or a daily massage to make your vacation perfect, choose your final destination accordingly. There are different types of dude ranches — working dude ranches, dude ranches, and resort dude ranches. At a working dude ranch, you’ll be exposed to the everyday tasks that are intrinsic and vital to a working cattle operation and horseback riding is the primary focus, with additional varied outdoor activities. At the other end of the spectrum are resort dude ranches that will offer you five-star dining and luxury accommodations in a spa-type atmosphere for your enjoyment. The weather, the time of year, and which state you choose are also important factors to consider. We had decided that the end of August would be our time frame. Ranches in the northern states like Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana, with their cooler climates, are the busiest in the summer months, while ranches in the southern states like Arizona and California, give you the
opportunity to ride during those sometimes-brutal Connecticut winters. Check the annual average temperatures, both high and low, online. One more item to be considered is adjustment time to a ranch located at 5,000 feet or more above sea level. All the states that we were contemplating geographically had higher elevations, as did several of the ranches. When you arrive, it may take your body a few days or longer, depending on the individual, to get fully acclimated.
Our Vacation at the Rocking Z Guest Ranch
The time had come to determine which location would be our ultimate destination. After reviewing all the literature, websites, and talking to some of the ranch owners, we chose Rocking Z Guest Ranch, a family business owned, operated, and managed by Zack and Patty Wirth in Wolf Creek, Montana. Bob and I had decided that a working ranch with a significant concentration on horse-related activities was what we wanted. Our eight-day holiday was booked, and within days, my husband had almost every aspect of our expedition planned.
After reservations were made, we received a questionnaire to assess our level of experience and skill with horses, our expectations for our visit, and if we had any dietary restrictions. It was comforting to know that as we were beginning to make our travel preparations, the ranch was also starting to prepare for us. A separate email was sent to us 15 days before our actual departure date, reminding us of a few items we should pack that would make our stay more pleasant. These were excellent suggestions that I would not have normally considered, having no real knowledge of the climate except for what I’d read online. On Saturday, August 18, we arrived in Helena. Helena Airport was the smallest airport I have ever landed in. It was simple, with a rustic interior, and so very different from the hectic New York area airport we’d departed from. It was built in the style of a massive log cabin, with artifacts and pictures of Helena’s colorful history filling display cases and adorning the walls. By the time we had picked up our luggage and come back to the main lobby, there was no one left but a restaurant’s bartender and the two of us! We stayed overnight at a hotel and explored Helena a bit. The next morning, we were picked up at our hotel. Our drive to Rocking Z took us about 45 minutes, giving our group time to get acquainted. We were leaving the city of Helena and heading toward the town of Wolf Creek, and the landscape was slowly changing. On either side of Interstate 15, the wide-open rural spaces grew in size. Magnificent hills with scattered forest areas, as well as boundless plains, surrounded us. I was already captivated by Montana’s beauty. We pulled into the ranch’s long gravel driveway, and to my right was a large outdoor ring that was substantial enough to hold a professional rodeo. Its surface footing had been recently raked, but looked as if it was waiting for the imprint of horses’ hooves to make it complete. On my left was a very spacious paddock containing more than 60 horses. All the different colors and sizes were what first caught my eye. I saw a statuesque Belgian standing alongside an adorable Miniature Horse. The two were contentedly munching hay together, while others were blissfully napping in the afternoon sun. Another
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Ruth Chamberlain
Wolf Creek Montana (406) 465-5534 . patty@rockingz.com
rockingz.com
Arbitrage Tack 1886 Watertown Ave., Oakville, CT . (860) 417-2608
Saddle Fitting & Saddles Deb Fabiani, a member of the Society of Master Saddlers and an Independent Saddle Fitter, is available for on-site Evaluations and Dynamic Assessment of Horse and Rider. Whether searching for a new saddle or assessing your current saddle, call us to set up your personalized sitting appointment. New saddles: Amerigo, Bates, Kent & Masters, Lovatt & Ricketts, M. Toulouse, Pessoa, Phillipe Fontaine, Stübben, Thorowgood. Used saddles: Ainsley, Albion, Black Country, Barbier, Collegiate, County, Devoucoux, and many more!
By appointment: arbitragetack@optimum.net
arbitragetack.com
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group was playfully interacting with each other. I instantly felt a combination of tranquility and harmony, perfectly balanced with a phenomenal sense of excitement and anticipation. The Rocking Z Guest Ranch lodge was straight ahead. Directly behind the picturesque stone and wood structure were brush-covered hills with stone outcroppings that seemed to embrace the main building as well as the entire property. It was obvious that much thought and planning went into the ranch’s placement and development. All the elements, whether natural or manmade, seemed to complement each other. Patty and her husband Zack are fifth-generation Montana ranchers. Their daughters, Maria and Anna, and son-in-law, Ben, all work on the ranch together. They have six children, all are married and live in Montana. They also have 16 grandchildren. “They’re learning to ride,” Patty says, “So the future is in good hands!” The family started the guest ranch in 2000. Zack’s family originally settled in the area in 1864, and Patty’s family settled a few hours east of the ranch in 1872. Zack focuses on the ranching side of the business. That means haying, fixing tractors, clearing trees, and building fences — many of the tasks that keep things running efficiently and as smoothly as possible. Zack has also built virtually every building on the property. Patty manages the computer and everything that encompasses. She also works with young horses, leads trail rides, cooks, and spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren. After dropping off our luggage in our rooms, there was a quick tour of the ranch. We met the rest of the guests in our group of 20 in the dining area of the lodge. Guests were from Maine, Michigan, and all over the world, including Denmark, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, and France. We gathered around the sizeable and sturdy handmade tables. All the furniture, décor, and embellishments within the lodge enhanced the warm and inviting atmosphere. We introduced ourselves and shared a little information about our backgrounds. We talked about our level of experience with horses, and what we were personally looking for in a horse during our stay at the ranch. I was honest and forthcoming
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about my skill level, and I mentioned that I was particularly interested in a horse I could trust and relax with. My time in the saddle this past season had not been as extensive as I would have liked. I didn’t want to be overmatched, and I simply wanted to enjoy my vacation. No matter what activity was offered, I wanted to participate. Maria and Anna looked at each other, smiled, and simultaneously said, “Abi!” I felt instantly at ease. The level of riding expertise in our group ranged from other horse owners like us to a few who had ridden only once or twice during a previous vacation or when they were children. We were assured by Maria and Anna that within the ranch’s herd there was the appropriate match for everyone and we headed out to the paddock to meet our mounts for the week. I met Abi and promptly felt a connection. She was a 15-year-old mare and had been at Rocking Z for a while. She was sweet, gentle, and kind. Maria and Anna were right, and I knew she would be a good companion throughout my visit. The staff, which included talented young women from Montana, Australia,
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and Switzerland, brought the horses into the stable and helped us tack up. The wranglers were patient and helpful, and I never felt uncomfortable asking a question or requesting assistance. I typically ride in an English saddle, so I was only vaguely familiar with western tack. Other guests saddled their own horses under the watchful supervision and hands-on verification by the Rocking Z team. Safety was always a priority. Rocking Z’s horses were all trained on site, and some were raised and bred there. There are about 70 horses, from new foals to retired masters. The herd was full of many breeds — mostly Quarter Horses, but also Mustangs, Belgians, Morgans, and many crossbreeds. All were trained using natural horsemanship with an emphasis on the Parelli method. (Maria has passed her Level 4 freestyle through the Parelli Foundation.) I quickly came to realize that the horses were excellent at building relationships with their humans. We mounted up and proceeded to the arena, splitting into two groups: those who were well-seasoned riders, and those who were more at the beginning and intermediate stages of their
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experience. I felt that it would be most advantageous for me to join the intermediate group. My husband felt more suited to the advanced contingent. He had been riding throughout the season, as well as riding since his childhood camp days. Both decisions worked out very well for us. We always had an option however, to change groups if we felt so inclined. In the arena we got to know our mounts and were taught some of the Parelli games with our horses. Equipped with a water bottle in a saddlebag to keep us hydrated, we headed out on the trail! I felt a slight whisper of apprehension as we ventured out, but literally within minutes I was enraptured by this region’s grandeur and vastness. I was also comforted and pleased with my mare’s sure-footedness and confidence-building demeanor. For the next two hours, I was able to completely take in all the sights, smells, and stunning vistas that surpassed my expectations, as well as my imagination. It seemed I’d found my little piece of heaven. We finished our glorious ride and headed back to the ranch. We helped untack our horses and returned them to
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their corral for a well-deserved rest. I was still reveling in the incredible high that only riding in this paradise could have instilled in me, but I was also anxious to exchange first impressions with Bob. After hours of fresh mountain air and plenty of exercise, Bob and I headed back to our room for a rest before dinner. Accommodations at the ranch were welcoming, simple, and spacious, with in-suite rooms, and in our case, a natural gas fireplace. We slept well and felt extremely cozy in our temporary home for the next five days. Supper was announced by an old-fashioned triangle dinner bell. Dinner was casual and delicious, and all of us learned a little more about each other. Our first ride bonded our group, staff and guests included. Dining was ranch-style, and everything was home-cooked, with desserts that were often fresh
pies, cakes, or brownies. Patty, Zack, Maria, Anna, Ben, and many of the wranglers often joined us for our meals once their chores were completed. Throughout our visit, and especially after some of our evening meals, Bob and I both looked forward to hearing about Zack’s anecdotes of the Wirth family and listening to him share mesmerizing stories of Montana’s legendary past. The next few days were spectacular. Chilly mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings were typical. Each day featured one or two trail rides through some of the most awe-inspiring landscape imaginable. Maria and the wranglers took both of our groups on rides that lasted anywhere from two to five hours, with our five-hour outing broken up by a ranchpacked lunch stop on what I called the top of the world. Words seemed inadequate to
Horseback Riding & Cattle Driving in the Badger-Two Medicine Country and the Blackfeet Reservation
Ride the “Backbone of the World”
Great Horses, Country, and People! Combining the majesty of Glacier National Park, directly adjacent to the ranch, the Bob Marshall Wilderness just to the south, and the beautiful but mysterious Blackfeet Indian Reservation to the east, the ranch is uniquely situated with the mountains, the foothills, and the prairie in the backyard. Horseback Vacations . Bed and Breakfast Cabins . Cattle Drives . Horsemanship Clinics . Home Cooked Meals . Special 4 Night 3 Day Bed & Breakfast Horseback Vacations
Bear Creek Guest Ranch Horseback Riding Paradise near East Glacier, Montana bearcreekguestranch.com . (406) 226-4489
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describe the endless and awesome views we witnessed traveling on the many trails that may have carried our forefathers when they first discovered this breathtakingly beautiful territory. Mule and white-tailed deer, along with elk, crossed our paths during our outings. The varied shades of green in the pines and grasses, the intoxicatingly wonderful smell of sagebrush, and sounds of horses splashing through swiftly flowing streams were a feast for the senses. During my entire time in the saddle with the incredible Abi, I continually thought of how blessed I was to be part of this journey. Rocking Z also offered cattle working, which focused on both horsemanship and stockmanship. For the horse, Maria explained, it is in their nature to chase and follow one another in the herd for dominance. This transfers to dominating cattle, or herding, seamlessly. As for stockmanship, we learned how to gauge the cattle’s intentions in order to herd them precisely and confidently. On one particular morning, Bob and several of the guests had a chance to practice their new skills as they moved some of the herd from one grazing field to another. The ranch raises Corriente cattle for roping and horse training. When we weren’t on trail rides or interacting with the cows, we had occasions to play games on horseback, including soccer and barrel racing, things I’d never done before. During another one of our diverse afternoon activities, Maria explained and demonstrated liberty training. With Maria’s patience and excellent guidance, my mare and I were moving as one, and as for bonding, that already happened on day one. I wanted to take Abi home with me. Way too soon, our sojourn to Rocking Z was coming to an end. On our last day, Bob was taking some final video, and I took a leisurely walk around the ranch by myself. I stopped and stared at my surroundings, trying imprint the images of this idyllic place in my mind. I didn’t want to leave. I felt so content here. Off in the distance, a group of the guests and some of the wranglers had ridden out before breakfast, and were in the process of bringing the horses back from their nighttime grazing pastures. Dust rose from the dirt road as the horses and riders headed toward the main paddock, and leading the
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pack were the magnificent Belgian and the Miniature Horse, Mr. Sugar. I saw Abi in the herd, and it was then I made a silent promise to her that I would be back. Montana, Wolf Creek, and Rocking Z are now part of me. Of course I’ll be back. (No compensation was given to Sally or Connecticut Horse from Rocking Z Guest Ranch.) Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.
Sally riding Abi at the Rocking Z Guest Ranch.
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