This summer, gallop away to luxurious ranch properties offering unique equestrian experiences for a travel journey on horseback. Saddle up from Aspen to Lanai where readers can enjoy unforgettable interactions with horses in beautiful destinations.
The Residences at Aspen Valley Ranch | Aspen, Colorado (pictured)
Set on 813 acres of luxurious ranch lifestyle paired with world-class Western living services and amenities, The Residences at Aspen Valley Ranch is an enchanting equestrian playground that houses luxurious homes for rent or purchase. Residents of the luxurious homes can gallop on beautiful horses through scenic trails across the property gleaming stunning mountain views, with full access to the Horse Barn. The Horse Barn features an on-staff award-winning horse wrangler, who is available for training the horses and taking guests out on trail rides - or even a ride into downtown Aspen (a mere 10 minutes away) for an adventure of guests’ choosing - drinks, shopping, dinner and more! The Horse Barn has eight horse stalls, one wash bay, tack room, feed room and a large exterior riding arena. There are only THREE homes left for sale - Aspen Mountain House, Sopris House and Capitol Peak House (and five new vacant lots for sale).
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort | Lanai City, Hawaii
Gallop to the paradise island of Lanai and embark on a horse journey at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, hosting its second women-only Unbridled Retreat from July 26-30, 2023. Guests will experience a path to clarity, mindfulness and sustainable well-being during this four-night equestrian retreat as they embrace the healing power of horses to find peace and tranquility on the stunning Hawaiian island, deeply rooted in wellness. Led by internationally recognized Equine Gestalt Coach Devon Combs, guests will be guided through three equine coaching sessions and hands-on interactions with horses during the Unbridled Retreat. The experience provides unique equine encounters, luxury meals at Sensei by Nobu, wellness credits for spa treatments and wellness consultations, access to complimentary daily activities including small group yoga and meditation classes, a sunset sail on Lanai II, a 65’ luxury catamaran, and round-trip travel from Honolulu on Lanai Air. The retreat is a profound, life-changing experience that leads women to positive change and encourages them to heal, set goals and seek joyous transformation through equine connection. *Space is limited to 12 women, and no horse experience is required to attend.
Carmel Valley Ranch | Carmel, California
Carmel Valley Ranch has long been an escape with plenty of room to roam, explore, and discover. The 500-acre playground, a site for restorative and regenerative travel, has recently welcomed their signature Equine Experiences program, which offers guests therapeutic ways to forge bonds and find joy by embracing and celebrating the power of horses to provide feedback and strengthen connections. Five immersive activities developed and led by Robert G. Magnelli, Ph.D. (also known as “The Horseman”) include Discover Joy, where guests work with and watch horses to discover what hinders and brings joy, and learning methods for improving physical and emotional wellbeing through an engaging session with the herd through Growing Awareness. Guests of all ages report coming away from the experience with profound feelings of calm, healing and insight.
Dude Ranchers Association - An all-inclusive vacation experience like no other
Dude and guest ranches offer an all-inclusive vacation experience like no other destination. The Dude Ranchers' Association was formed in 1926 to preserve the special way of life and wonderful environment in which dude ranching takes place. When you vacation at a Dude Ranchers' Association member ranch, you can be sure of a quality vacation. Member ranches endure a rigorous inspection and approval process that ensures guests are treated to genuine western hospitality combined with the lodging industry’s highest standards.
Reid Creek Lodge | Douglas, Wyoming
Last summer, Wagonhound Land & Livestock Co. announced the opening of Reid Creek Lodge, the brand’s first seasonal guest lodge located in the heart of the American West in central Wyoming. Reid Creek Lodge features an 8,000 square foot lodge with seven beautifully appointed bedrooms accommodating up to 22 guests. Set on a private working ranch, Reid Creek Lodge offers unparalleled access spanning 300,000 acres in the heart of the Laramie Range of the Rocky Mountains. The exclusive experience includes a personal chef, curated programming, cozy gathering spaces and rustic mountain design. For equestrians and horse lovers, Wagonhound Land and Livestock is renowned for its award-winning American Quarter Horse, winning the AQHA Best Remuda Award in 2018. Cover unexplored ground on horseback or learn some tricks of the trade in the arena. Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, there is a trail and a horse specially chosen for you.
Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is often referred to as being suspended in a forgotten, more innocent time. With a ban on motor vehicles, Mackinac Island limits modes of transportation to horse-and-buggy, walking, and biking on its traffic-free roads. One of the island’s most iconic places to stay is Mission Point Resort — located on 18 acres of lakefront property on the sunrise side of the island. Through their partnerships across the island, the resort is happy to offer Carriage Tours, one of the most iconic ways to experience the history and charm of Mackinac is through a narrated horse-drawn carriage tour, and access to the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center, a top destination for horseback riding lessons and summer horse camps.
Triple Creek Ranch, Bitterroot Valley, Montana
At Triple Creek Ranch, horseback riding is a year-round activity – saddle up at Rider’s Roost and set out with a wrangler through wildflower meadows in spring, under blue mountain skies in summer, among the richly scented needles of the ponderosa pine forest in fall or across freshly fallen snow in winter. For more adventure, try a cross-country ride on Triple Creek’s beautiful 26,000-acre CB Ranch from May through mid-October, with breathtaking mountain vistas, wildlife and a delicious packed lunch prepared by the kitchen. Or bring out your inner cowboy or cowgirl on a cattle drive from June through September, helping move anywhere from 100 to 800 head of cattle. (Rider's Roost rides included a nightly rate; additional fee for CB Ranch rides and cattle drives.) When you’re done for the day, savor gourmet cuisine and an award-winning wine cellar in the main lodge before retiring to your private, cozy cabin for the night.
Magee Homestead, Saratoga, Wyoming
The all-inclusive, adults-only Magee Homestead provides guests with an unparalleled range of luxury ranch activities and endless opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape. Our bespoke horseback riding experiences are tailored to the riding level of each individual guest and include group or private trail rides across our pristine meadowlands; cattle drives; private riding lessons which can include general horsemanship, barrel racing, pole bending, arena games and team penning; and full day rides with a picnic lunch.
Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee
PONY TIME: Blackberry Pony Time is designed for children of all ages and their families. This confidence building experience includes an introduction to grooming and leading a mini horse or pony. Each child will have leadline time on horseback.
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP EXPERIENCE: Experience an introduction to the philosophy and practice of Natural Horsemanship- learn to speak the language of the horse and establish an appropriate relationship. Savor the opportunity to “join up” with a horse in the round pen, explore the essence of the human/ horse relationship through non-verbal communication, action and perception. Arrive seeking an understanding of the horse and leave with a powerful connection. Ages eight and up. Only offered when paired with a Field and Stream Trail ride.
