Canada dude ranch The Ranch at Siwash Lake is Top50’s latest addition to its exclusive range of quality dude ranch vacations. At Siwash Lake, an authentic 4th-generation luxury dude ranch, guests can expect nothing but the best and most personalised and luxurious dude ranch vacation. This exclusive, intimate hideaway offers action-packed adventure in the remote and rugged heartland of British Columbia – from wilderness survival and skeet shooting, to fishing for trout on sparkling waters, to mountain biking in the back country and canoeing across the shimmering Siwash Lake.

Of course, no Canada dude ranch vacation would be complete without horseback riding, and Siwash Lake offers one of Canada’s best and most unique riding programs. Catering for beginner to advanced riders, Siwash Lake gives each guest their own personal horse for the duration of their stay, whether they choose to take private rides with a guide for one-on-one tuition to hone their riding skills and learn about the ranch’s nature and history, or simply head out on their own for an unescorted horseback ride through the BC wilderness over 80,000 acres of pristine rangeland. Horseback riding is always tailored to guests’ needs and is available for as little or as often as they wish – whether it’s an hour in the saddle here and there or all-day rides. Guests choosing the latter can ride down to the river for swimming, fishing and a campfire picnic; to a high mountain bluff for an exquisite view; or an epic seven-hour trip through canyons to breathtaking waterfalls.

Tired muscles can be soothed with a relaxing treatment in the luxury tented spa, be it a relaxation or deep-tissue massage, manicure, facial or pedicure. And when all that riding, adventuring and pampering has conjured up a royal appetite, guests can sit down to dining fit for a king. Fresh, healthy food reigns at Siwash Lake, and their ranch-grown, local, organic fare rivals that of fine city dining. The Canada dude ranch serves up delicious, designer food that is simple, clean, not overly intricate and most certainly light, healthy and nourishing. Appetites satiated, guests can retire to peaceful sleep amidst the softest linens in the ranch’s rustically refined honey-hued log cabins, or cozy under canvas beneath the stars in luxury tented accommodations.

What really sets this Canada dude ranch apart from the rest is its personal, intimate service. Taking a maximum of 16-24 guests, Siwash Lake’s 14 staff will ensure royal pampering and personalised hospitality. Families, too, are welcome, with the dude ranch offering a quality children’s program for guests wishing to pre-arrange.

For the ultimate, intimate Canada dude ranch vacation, head to The Ranch at Siwash Lake. For more information and to book, view the Siwash Lake Ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com

2012 Themed Weeks and Workshops, Direct from David with Zapata Ranch

A belated happy 2012 from our family to yours!

We love this time of year for so many reasons, not the least of which is the coziness that the much-needed snow offers (we know it will be here any day now!), but greatly because of the time if offers us for reflection. We have spent a lot of time this winter honing our offerings for 2012's themed weeks, with the goal of incorporating the requests of many past guests and also introducing some new spice to our variety.

This year's themed weeks & workshops offer something for everyone. If you're looking for that long-overdue getaway with your girlfriends, take a look at our Women's Week & Horsemanship Clinic. It's just the right mix of riding and relaxation. Want to spend some good, quality time in the saddle, with your family or friends? Our Pack Trip, Branding Week and Horsemanship Clinic were designed with you in mind. Perhaps one of your New Years Resolutions was to pick-up a new hobby? Check out one of our 3 art workshops, all led by nationally-acclaimed artists. Whichever you choose, choose quickly! Slots are filling up.

Whether you decide to join us for a themed week this year or a traditional Ranch Vacation, we look forward to having you. Keep an eye out for our newsletter, The Buffalo, which will give you the insider's scoop on all-things Zapata and might even have a special offer in tow. Trust us, you'll want to read it.

Branding Week
Dates: May 13 - 20, 2012
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

The week will be shared between Zapata Ranch and our sister ranch, Chico Basin, during the year's most intensive cattle works and branding.

Time on Zapata will be filled with rides in Sand Creek, which will be flowing as it does for only 3 weeks each year, rides with the bison and into Sand Dunes National Park. At the Chico we'll spend time branding calves and working cattle, and riding through the Chico prairie and arroyos. When nighttime comes we'll enjoy dinner over a campfire and a good night's sleep under the stars.

This is a week not typically open to the public and a time of year that we cherish more than any. It is a celebration of springtime, new calves and an annual gathering that we all look forward to!

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Pack Trip
Dates: June 17-24, 2012
Cost: $2,500 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

Beginning with a night in the lodge, the pack trip starts the following morning from the Sand Dunes National Park where we'll head up into the mountains for 3 nights and 4 days of high mountain riding. We'll explore old mining country, take leisurely rides with magnificent views of the whole valley and San Juan Mountains, fish the alpine lakes and enjoy delicious food cooked over the fire. With nightfall, we'll sit around the campfire before retiring to the big, white canvas tent that will be our home and base camp.

The final days back at the ranch will bring rides with the bison, through the Zapata meadows and working with the bison and cattle herds for those not too tired from our mountainous travels! Intermediate riding ability is encouraged, though not required.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Horsemanship Clinic
Dates: July 29-August 5, 2012
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

This workshop will be led by Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranch general manager, third-generation rancher and horseman, Duke Phillips, and 25-year director of the riding program at Thacher School in CA, Cam Schryver. Both Duke and Cam are invited to speak around the country on conservation, horsemanship and what it means to be a modern day rancher.

Days will be spent with personal one-on-one horsemanship instruction, educational demonstrations, rides through the surrounding meadows and dunes and working cattle and bison on horseback. Applying working ranch horsemanship and riding by feel, you'll leave the week feeling a deeper connection to the magnificence of the horse and will understand how to better communicate with it. You are more than welcome to bring your own horse.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Women’s Week & Horsemanship Clinic
Dates: August 22-29, 2012
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

What better way to spend quality time bonding with your girl friends than to come to Zapata for the week?

Days will be filled with rides through the expansive meadows amongst our 1,000 bison, working cattle, photo trips across the ranch to capture wildlife and hiking through the 700-foot tall sand dunes and bordering Sangre de Cristo Mountains with our naturalist. A horsemanship instructor will be riding along for each ride and offering instruction, as well as leading daily clinics. Evenings will bring cocktails and appetizers on the patio as the sun is setting, followed by dinners of ranch-raised bison and beef, and locally grown vegetables prepared by our gourmet chef.

After dinner, relax around the campfire, learn about astronomy from an expert and soak in the local hot springs pools. A massage therapist will be on hand to soothe sore muscles from riding.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Nature and Wildlife Photography Workshop
Dates: August 5-10, 2012
Cost: $1,565 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

Led by long-time Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranch photographer, Stephen Weaver. Steve's knowledge of the ranch as well as the local San Luis Valley hot spots will put you in the right breathtaking places at the right times.

Join us for 5 days of nature and wildlife photography and learn the fundamentals of what exactly goes into making a quality outdoor photograph. Daily discussions will be held to explore the philosophies behind creating your own artistic vision as well as image processing techniques that help you achieve and meet your aspirations.

Space is limited to 8 participants.

Painting Workshop: Horses
Dates: September 23-28, 2012
Cost: $1,565 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction
 
This workshop, led by renowned artist Jill Soukup, focuses on drawing and painting horses. Discussions and exercises will focus on the importance of understanding equine anatomy, what makes good drawing and composition, and color. Activities will include photo opportunities (of horses running and up close on a bison tour), sketching and studying corralled horses, demonstrations and critiques.
 
Space is limited to 12 participants.

Photography and Post-Production Workshop
Dates: October 14-20, 2012
Cost: $3,200 pp, includes all meal, lodging and instruction

For the third consecutive year, Bobbie Goodrich and Susan Burns are returning to share their wealth of knowledge.

The days will be spent with ranch excursions and photo safaris - rising before dawn to travel to the Sand Dunes National Park and Medano Ranch to photograph the bison and sand dunes at day break, spending the day in our historic education center perfecting your images with post-production work, heading out as the sun sets to capture our 60-head horse herd running against the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and much more. This workshop is one not to be missed!

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Please visit Zapata Ranch in Top50 to book your stay, or contact Zapata Ranch direct at Zapata's website.

Brett Haas (below) - aka "The Kansas Cowboy" - is a regular blogger for Working Ranch Blog and a stockman on a working ranch in Kansas. Brett is no stranger to the less-than-glamorous side of ranch life, as the first in his series of blogs on Top50 proves…

"At this time of year, with most of the cattle out in winter pasture, the only events that happen are chores. Especially with the mild winter we are having (not that I am complaining), life is a tad boring on this Kansas cattle ranch. As I have said before, when you deal with critters, boring is good. It usually means all is well, and, to a good stockman, nothing is more exciting.

"However, one has to be careful not to let the winter lull dull his senses. There is a lot of routine involved in winter chores and the challenge is to stay alert day in and day out even though nothing really changes. If you don't pay attention, life can sneak up on you. Take a few weeks back, for example…

"It was a Monday alright. Although Mondays don't mean as much when you work Sunday, this one did because the boss let the family and I sneak away for the weekend to visit the wife's side of the family in Oklahoma. It was a nice break and really made Monday morning feel like Monday morning.

"Anyhow, I had no sooner than filled up my cake box that sits on the back of my office (my chore truck) than did Kirk call and say he had a cow bogged down and needed an extra hand to get her unplugged. As I've said before, we are having a dry spell here in Kansas. We have a lot of small frog ponds here on the ranch – they aren't good for much, but do provide a small watering hole in spots. That is, until you have a dry spell and they become nothing more than a mud hole. This is critical because cattle don't reason, they just do. All they know is that they are thirsty and the water is out there, so they start wading through the muck to get to it. They get their drink, but if they get in too far they are stuck."

Kirk was sure this old gal was done for when he found her. As you can see, her head was good and buried as well as the rest of her. Fortunately though, on account of his diligence, he found her in time.

"So Kirk calls and asks for help, but by the time I get there he's got the old gal on solid ground, although, as you can tell from the picture, she took most of the muck back with her as a souvenir that we were hoping would remind the rest of the herd to stay clear. Just before lunch, I went back to check to make sure everyone else took her advice. They hadn't. No one was stuck – yet – so I played the part of a good husbandman, put dinner on hold, built an electric fence in an adjacent pasture to provide some space between bulls that are out this time of year, and moved 'em out of danger to a bigger and safer pond to drink from.

"When I was growing up there used to be this church janitor of ours named Gale. I remember every Sunday, every pancake supper, every potluck or any other church function, Gale was the first one there to get things ready and also the last one to leave, to make sure everything was picked up and clean. In the world's eyes, this may not seem like a very exciting or important job. However, as I have grown up, I have discovered that what truly makes the world go 'round (other than the coriolis effect) are folks like Gale, who, like gears in a clock, work steady and consistent behind the scenes doing the "little things" and who, for the most part, go unnoticed. But without them, time itself would get bogged down."

Check back to Top50Ranches next month for Brett’s next blog!

Inspired by working ranch life? Check out Top50's great selection of working ranch vacations

Winter soup recipes are ideal for the colder months and, of course, if you're looking to beat the post-Christmas bloat. Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado, USA has come up trumps with this gorgeous, velvety Carrot and Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk, a healthy and warming bowl of goodness to see you through the snowy weather in style. We think it's so good, we've named it Top50 Ranch Recipe of the Month for January 2012. Try it yourself and see why...

Carrot and Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk

Serves 6-8 (depending on how hungry you are!)
Prep 15 mins
Cook 1 - 1 1/2 hrs

1 bunch celery
4 carrots
2 tbsps minced ginger
1 yellow onion

3 tbsps olive oil
4 shallots, roughly chopped
3 tbsps sesame oil
¼ cup rice wine
½ cup sake
2 x 8 oz cans coconut milk
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup fresh cilantro
1 cup green onion tops
1 gallon vegetable stock or water

1 Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roughly chop half the celery and 2 carrots, and toss with 1 tbsp of the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Roast the vegetables in the oven until lightly browned.

2 Meanwhile, take the rest of the celery and carrots, and the onion and shallots, and process in a food processor until finely chopped. Sweat off the chopped vegetables in the remaining olive oil and sesame oil until the onions turn transclucent, then add the roasted vegetables and cook for 2 mins more. De-glaze the mix with the rice wine and sake, then add the ginger and vegetable stock (or water if using).

3 Bring the mixture to a boil, adjusting the seasoning if necessary. Simmer the mixture for about 30 mins to 1 hour, then puree with an immersion blender. Strain the soup through a medium strainer and return to the stove.

4 Bring the mix to a boil again - thicken with a cornstarch or arrowroot slurry if needed. Pour in the coconut milk, green onion and cilantro, then adjust the seasoning and serve.

Enjoy!

Find out more about Vista Verde ranch - visit their Top50 profile

Dude ranch vacations are the perfect way to travel with the whole family - from great-grandchildren to great-grandparents! Dude ranch vacations geared towards families offer a diverse range of activities to satisfy all ages and tastes, and both riders and non-riders.

Top50's newest ranch, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in British Columbia, Canada, receives this month's accolade of 'Top50 Ranch Special of the Month' for its vacation package geared toward multi-generational families looking for the ultimate family ranch vacation.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort: Elders Package 2012

A popular destination for multi-generational families, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is paying tribute to the oldest and wisest family members with an Elders Package that offers a free stay for up to two elders, aged 55 years or older, travelling with families of six or more.

The special offer is designed to encourage even more families to reconnect in the magic of the Canadian wilderness and is inspired by the First Nations culture, in which elders are revered as role models and leaders for future generations.

The Elder Package runs from May to September 2012 and covers the cost of the stay for up to two elder family members, excluding the cost of the Floatplane trip from Vancouver to the resort.

View Clayoquot's Top50 profile for rates and more information

Top50's inaugural Advent Calendar competition, which ran December 1-24 last year, received an amazing response. Thousands of you visited Top50Ranches.com in the run-up to Christmas, entering a new competition each day for a chance to win ranch vacations, $1,000 vouchers, jewelry, clothing and much, much more.

Christmas might be over for another year, but for the lucky winners of the Advent Calendar prizes, the presents just keep on coming! Congratulations to the following people who were chosen as the lucky winners...

1st: Ranch vacation at Tod Mountain Ranch - Natalie Mendik

2nd: Men's Roper Amarillo shirt - Toni Wilhite

3rd: Arabian Essence calendar - Sarah Dickinson

4th: Majestic Dude Ranch vaca discount and gear - Jennifer Blalock

5th: Montana Silversmiths antique bracelet - Arlene Toland

6th: 'Lifting the Wheel of Karma' novel by Paul H Magid - Sue Roughley, Peggy Kosinski, Peggy Butler, Deb Southerland, Laurie Mack, Marion Gold, Virginia Brahmer, Russel Hide, Janice Crittendon, Gary Lynn Olsen

7th: Subscription to COWGIRL Magazine - Jane Evelo

8th: Ranch vacation at The Hideout - Farrah Ritter

9th: Montana Silversmiths Bitteroot Knife - Candace Stewart

10th: 'The Majesty of the Horse' book, courtesy of Estancia Los Potreros - Denise Drane

11th: Lil' Red Roan handmade cowgirl cuff - Susie Blackmon

12th: Ladies' cashmere-lined leather gloves - Joelle Smith

13th: Subscription to Western Horseman Magazine - James Knepper

14th: Shades of Nature lamp - Toni Smith

15th: Lil' Red Roan pocket knife - Amanda Markey

16th: Vacation at Zapata Ranch OR $1,000 vaca vouchers - Marietta Lakness

18th: Montana Silversmiths jewelry set - Deanne Creamer

19th: Subscription to The Trail Rider Magazine - Jim Phipps

20th: Stetson and deerskin gloves - Annette Miller

21st: Vacation at Rancho Los Banos - Keith Dane

23rd: Bytwilight Jewelry set - Nancy Brown

24th: Vacation at Rancho Las Cascadas - Beth Shepard

All prizes were shipped January 11, 2012 - please allow up to 28 days for delivery. If you think you're a winner and haven't yet been contacted by a member of the Top50 team with regards to claiming your prize, please get in touch - email us here.

Congratulations to all the winners, and remember to keep checking back to Top50Ranches.com and the Top50 Facebook page for more great competitions.

Nebraska guest ranches don't come better than Rowse's 1+1 Ranch, according to one guest who gave the authentic working ranch this review:

Romance: 4
Adventure: 3
Ranch Setting: 3
Family Oriented: 3
Adult Oriented: 5
Western Hospitality: 5
Riding: 4
Cattle Work: 4
Food & Wine: 4
Overall Experience: 5

Interesting tidbit about the ranch owners or staff:
Tammy and Jerry, even after more than 20 years of marriage, are still smitten with one another. It was just lovely to see them still looking at each other with adoration in their eyes! One of sweetest moments during our stay was seeing Jerry whisk Tammy off in a Texas two-step while one of the guests played the guitar.

What makes this riding program stand out?
The quality of horses is exceptional. Responsive, 'cow-ey', well-trained and well-mannered horses, all with sound minds and conformation. This ranch takes outstanding care of their horses, dogs, livestock and several friendly feral barn cats.

What about this ranch brings guests back?
Tammy amd Jerry themselves - they are truly the nicest people you will ever meet. 

Convinced to take your dude ranch vacation at this Nebraska ranch? View Rowse's 1+1's ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com!

Texas dude ranch Sugar & Spice with be holding its third annual scholarship program for Summer 2012. Says Sugar & Spice owner Leigh McCourt: "We have had so much success in getting girls to write and express themselves in the last two years that we have decided to make it an annual tradition. This contest will be for all girls that would like to come to the ranch with their moms, and all past guests of the ranch are encouraged to join in as well."

Mothers and daughters bond through horses at Texas dude ranch Sugar & Spice

Sugar & Spice recently announced its branching out into Wyoming, however the program will be run at the Texas ranch only. "The contest will require an essay to be written by the daughter about why she would like to come to the ranch, and what she would expect to get out of being here for a week with her mom," explains Leigh. "The essay should be at least 500 words - it's a thought-provoking exercise and this should be evident in the writing."

The program is a wonderful way to engage the mind, encouraging daughters to look within themselves as to what they intend to get out of such a unique experience with their moms. Mothers are welcome to proof read and help a little, but Leigh stresses she would like the true thoughts to come from the daughters.

"Oh, and one last thing," adds Leigh. "We would really appreciate everyone using the prize they receive. Last year we had two winners who never wound up coming - what a shame for the girls who put so much effort and so much of themselves into this contest. Please allow the girls to reap the rewards of their efforts."

The twist!
For 2012, Sugar and Spice has announced it is going to let fans of The Sugar & Spice Ranch Facebook page to participate in the voting process. Plus, a couple of well-known authors will be helping Leigh in selecting the final winners... Who knows, a budding writer may just be 'discovered'!

The Awards
First Prize: $1000.00 scholarship
Second Prize: $750.00 scholarship
Third Prize: $500.00 scholarship

Age categories

• 8 and under
• 9 to 12
• Over 12s

How to enter
Please email all essays and any pictures you would like to include to info@texashorsecamps.com , or post to the Sugar & Spice Facebook fan page

The deadline for all entries will be February 15th 2012, and the winners will be announced on March 1st 2012.

Good luck!

Visit the Sugar & Spice Ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com

Mexico horse riding holidays don't come much better than at Rancho Las Cascadas, which is why Top50 has chosen this luxury dude ranch as January's Ranch of the Month.

Each month Top50 scours its selection of horse riding holidays and guest ranch vacations to pick out one which it feels surpasses its standards of excellence - and, most importantly, offers something unique. That could be anything from ultra-luxurious facilities, to personal touches than make a ranch vacation, to fast-and-furious cattle drives that'll be etched in your memory forever.

For January 2012, Top50 has chosen Mexio dude ranch Rancho Las Cascadas as Ranch of the Month!

Located in a valley on a high mountain plateau lays Rancho Las Cascadas - here it's all about horseback riding over rugged terrain and diverse landscape, for as many hours in the saddle as a guest wishes (or can endure!). Venturing to Mexico for your dude ranch vacation is well worth the mileage, with the extinct volcanic geology of the region creating landscape crisscrossed with ancient lava flows, which have partially eroded over millennia and evolved into a rich landscape of micro-environments. In the 'green season' this measns a colorful riot of wild flowers, while flat fields and quiet, unpaved roads offer exciting galloping opportunities for confident riders.

Just reading about the horseback riding offered at Rancho Las Cascadas on its Top50 profile is enough to send a rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins. Thrilling doesn't even come close to describing the sense of freedom you experience riding over unfenced landscape - there are certainly no artificially constructed trail rides here.

Of course, Rancho Las Cascadas has so much more to offer - year-round sunshine, cocktails in the hot tub and authentic Mexican food, to name just a few. But it's this Mexico dude ranch's unique and thrilling horseback riding opportunities over simply stunning and diverse land that wins it the accolade as Top50's January Ranch of the Month.

Rancho Las Cascadas: In a nutshell

• Internationally renowned equestrian experience in the Americas
• Great open-range horse riding for any ability level of rider
• For the true rider and those who would like to become one!
• Luxury ranch
• Cultural Tours
• Affordable prices
• Phenomenal hospitality and service
• Great food
• Gorgeous waterfalls
• Visit Various famous landmarks such as Teotihuacan, the famous pyramids of the sun and the moon, to the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende
• Solar-heated Infinity Pool with Integrated Jacuzzi
• Hot Tub
• Hiking/Running, Biking, Bird Watching, Yoga, Photography and Painting
• Cultural Experiences

Is there a ranch that stands out for you? Tell us why and we'll consider for upcoming Ranches of the Month!

Cattle drives are an iconic part of any dude ranch vacation and the ultimate western riding experience for any wannabe cowboy or cowgirl. Cattles drives are one of the most exciting horseback activities you can do on a dude ranch vacation, and Burnt Well Guest Ranch in New Mexico, USA, provides a selection of cattle drives that caters for all ages and riding abilities - so you can experience the thrill of a cattle drive no matter how inexperienced or experienced a rider you are - scroll down for details.

Cattle drives at Burnt Well

Patricia Chesser from Burnt Well Ranch explains: "Due to the lack of grass at the ranch after the drought of 2011, our only cattle drive for 2012 will take place on October 1-7, Monday afternoon to Sunday morning. The details are yet to be confirmed, but we hope it will be in conjunction with the 'Chisum Challenge' Ranch Rodeo in Roswell. We have proposed that our cattle is used in the wild cow milking and, if the rodeo board accepts our proposal, we will drive the cattle to be used in the rodeo from Burnt Well to the Roswell rodeo arena. Guests will also be able to watch the very cows that they drove to the rodeo!

"Whatever the board decides, there will still be a cattle drive on these dates - but details will be confirmed at a later date. What we can guarantee at this time however, is that guests will be active participants in an authentic 'old west' style cattle drive in the Burnt Well tradition and quality.

"Our typical 'old west' style cattle drives are adult-only (see cattle drives descriptions below for more details). For a group of 6 or more (we take 10-12 riders on a drive) we will put together a 'old west' style cattle drive replica that may or may not actually leave Burnt Well property. Unless you've been on one of our other cattle drives, you would not be able to tell the difference between the real and replica cattle drives. Why, you might ask - as people have in the past - do we tell you whether it's a replica cattle drive or not if the two are so similar? This is just not the way we do things at Burnt Well - we're not going to play games with you and pretend to be doing something we're not. If we can't offer an authentic cattle drive because of circumstances out of our control but can offer a replica of one, we will be upfront with you from the start."

Interested in reserving your spot on the October 2012 cattle drive? Reservations have already started coming in, so book your spot today! Simply visit Burnt Well's ranch profile on Top50Ranches.com for contact details or to email the ranch. 

2012 prices
$1,710.00 plus tax, 20% deposit required upon booking.
Bookings taken on a 'first deposit received' basis.
Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted, as are personal checks.

Cattle Drives at Burnt Well Guest Ranch

Dude Ranch Style cattle drives

Drive any number of cattle from point A to point B, which could be from one to 10 miles. On these drives, we typically sleep and eat most, if not all meals, at the ranch. We may have the occasional need to pack a lunch in the saddle bag. We can take just about any age, riding and/or adventure level. This type of cattle drive is very common, if not the norm, at Burnt Well on most regular ranch stays, unless you specify that this is not what you want to do.

Since we are a working cattle ranch of 15,000 acres, there is always plenty of cattle work to be done. The need to round up the cattle and drive them various distances to different pens could very well have you in the saddle for many miles or hours a day. Our guests have told us that our cattle work on a regular ranch stay is more than many other ranches' “specified” cattle drives.

Authentic "Old West" Style cattle drives

As with our dude ranch-style cattle drives, on our authentic "old west" cattle drives, we are actually doing a job, not just moving cows in the name of a cattle drive.

On these cattle drives we camp out on the trail for at least three nights, sometimes four or five. We provide you with a "cowboy" bedroll (a three inch mattress made up with sheets & blankets and rolled in a tarp) and we have "cowboy" teepees in case of inclement weather. There are also cots for those who are a little squeamish about being right on the ground! We usually make between 10 and 15 miles a day with the cattle and are in the saddle between 5-10 hours a day. We start early, driving cattle by sun up, and will try to be at camp by early afternoon.

Hot breakfasts and suppers are cooked Dutch oven-style and over the campfire while out on the trail. There is always plenty to eat. After breakfast you pack your lunch for the day, choosing from a wide variety of choices, along with a delicious wrap made with the "extra Chesser natural beef" from supper the night before.

Nightly campfires, a blanket of twinkling stars on a New Mexico black velvet sky and an evening of sweet fiddle music. Since we are out for the duration of the drive, actually doing a job, and living and eating in the elements, the conditions can sometimes be unpleasant. Therefore, our authentic "old west style" cattle drives are adult-only. They are for adventurous adults with plenty of stick-to-it-ness! The stuff memories and bucket lists are made of...