The area surrounding Graham in West Texas is cattle country. It is rugged and beautiful all times of the year. The historic Brazos River flows through it, Great Blue Herons fly over it and Texas Longhorns call it home. This is the area where John Wayne rode and the famous movie “Sons of Katie Elder” was filmed. It is the Texas of legend.
You will learn the art of Natural Horsemanship, designed to build the relationship and mutual respect between horse and handler.
You will learn how to herd cattle and will actually work a herd of either Corriente or Texas Longhorns. Both breeds have a significant place in the history of both Texas and Mexico. You will learn how to gather a herd, how to hold a herd, how to sort out certain individuals from the herd and how to move the herd from place-to-place. It is fun and exciting. The act of learning to herd cattle is a great way to improve your horsemanship and build your confidence as a rider.
You will also learn how to set up a Chuck Wagon and how to pack a pack horse.
The accommodations are wonderful, comfortable and luxurious. The food is delicious, made even more so by a long day in the saddle. The companionship between rider and horse is heightened by the experiences of the day.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Wildcatter Ranch and Resort and check in to your luxurious western guest suite. This is a great time to schedule spa services at Sage, the Spa at Wildcatter Ranch, or schedule canoing, archery, skeet shooting or special activities going on for the week.
Day 2: Start your experience at the Wildcatter with a relaxing horseback ride. This ride will help the guide determine which horse will fit you best. You may ride down by the Brazos River or take a more challenging trail up Kissinger Hill. You’ll head back to the Steakhouse for lunch or maybe a short nap before you head back out on the trail again. The afternoon ride is up to you. Slow, relaxing and laid back or a little quicker and challenging, or maybe you would prefer to lay out by the infinity pool and relax.
Day 3: By this time you should know your horse pretty well. Today you test some of your cowboy skills. You’ll head out to one of the cattle pastures, locate and get a count of the cattle. (Sounds easy, but if it was everyone could do it). From there you’ll practice driving the cattle to the pens or maybe to water. This will give you an accurate feel of how cattle were moved in the old days. Once you get back to the barn you can learn how to rope or porch the roping dummies or just pet the dogs on the back porch. In the afternoon a trail ride with no job to do might be in order. Then you can spend the evening soaking in a hot tub or having drinks at the famous Blowout Saloon. The saloon offers complimentary beverages to all guests from 4 to 5 pm each afternoon.
Day 4: Today there are a couple of options. If you would like, a Natural Horsemanship Demonstration can be arranged and then you can watch one of the ranch’s top hands work with a green horse. Questions and discussion are encouraged. Or if you would like you can take another trail ride and explore more of the 1500 acres of pristine Texas landscape.
Day 5: You’ll saddle up and take a lunch with you for an all day ride. After lunch, a nap might be required at the trail guide’s discretion. Spend the last part of your day making sure you get plenty of pictures, as the views around the area are some of the best in North Central Texas.
Day 6: Breakfast and then head down to the horse barn to try and buy the horse you’ve been riding all week. They’ll probably say no, but you never know! Say goodbye to horses and staff and head home.
At the Wildcatter Ranch they want you to have a great vacation, so will do their best to accommodate you. The itinerary is not set in stone so feel free to share what you would like to do, if you would like to change horses, etc. They’ll do their best to make you feel like a real Texan.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$2,625 per person, shared; $675 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights guest house accommodation
- 4 days of horse activities
- All meals
- Horse
- Tack
- Guide
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Texas
Horse Riding
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