Horsemanship clinics at dude ranches are just one way to improve your horseback riding and horse handling skills on your dude ranch vacation. While working ranches are the most likely to host regular horsemanship clinics, guest ranches and luxury dude ranches may also offer similar clinics and demonstrations for guests to watch and often participate in.

Horsemanship clinics at McGinnis Meadows, a Montana working cattle ranch and guest ranch

The Hideout Guest Ranch in Wyoming, USA, is this year holding 'Authentic Horsemanship Clinics' in April and October 2012 - week-long training clinics led by the guest ranch's full-time horseman Ramon Castro and assisted by Marijn Werquin. Sign up for the clinic and you'll get hands-on lessons in colt-starting techniques, natural horsemanship training, clinics in desensitizing, leadership and horses training, working horses with cattle, equine massage and team penning. Best of all, you'll get the chance to put your new learnings into practice as you saddle up and ride out on the ranch.

If you want to learn about horse safety, sign up for Three Bars Ranch's 'Introduction to Horsemanship and Horse Safety' program in May 2012. The Canada guest ranch has teamed up with the College of the Rockies to offer a week-long horsemanship and horse safety program.

Colorado guest ranch Zapata Ranch is hosting a whole range of themed weeks and horsemanship clinics - from the 'Women's Week and Horsemanship Clinic', to the 'Horsemanship Clinic' week held in conjunction with its sister ranch, Chico Basin Ranch. The latter includes one-on-one horsemanship instruction, educational demonstrations, rides through the surrounding meadows and dunes and working cattle and bison on horseback. Leave the week feeling a deeper connection to horses and will understand how to better communicate with them. You can even bring your own horse.

Working ranch McGinnis Meadows Ranch in Montana, USA, is this April-May 2012 hosting another Horsemanship Program embracing Buck Brannaman-style horsemanship. Work from the ground up using the ranch's horses, or you can bring your own - all levels of riders are welcome. The program features daily instruction and offers guests a great way to fine-tune their riding skills with McGinnis Meadows' team of experienced horsemen and women.

For more information on horsemanship clinics, visit Top50Ranches.com

Dude ranch vacation Special Offers for May 2012, from Tod Mountain Ranch in British Columbia, Canada. Treat your mom or yourself to a dude ranch vacation at this Canada guest ranch...

Mother’s Day Weekend Celebration

When? Friday 11th – Sunday 13th May, 2012
How much? $495 per person
What's included? Rate includes 2 nights accommodation, riding on Saturday and Sunday, all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at the ranch, use of all ranch facilities during your stay. Rate excludes taxes and gratuities.
Itinerary Arrive Friday after 4pm for dinner. Enjoy a variety of trail rides on Saturday and Sunday morning. Take advantage of the facilities and activities at the ranch throughout your stay and enjoy a special Mother’s Day lunch prepared by our resident Chef on Sunday. Depart Sunday after lunch.

May Long Weekend

When? Friday 18th – Monday 21st May, 2012
How much? $745 per person
What's included? Rate includes 3 nights accommodation, riding on Saturday & Sunday (morning & afternoon) and Monday morning, all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks at the ranch, use of all ranch facilities during your stay. Rate excludes taxes and gratuities.
Itinerary Arrive Friday after 4pm for Dinner. Enjoy full days of riding on Saturday and Sunday and take one last morning ride on Monday. Relax and enjoy the facilities and activities at the ranch throughout your stay. Depart Monday after lunch.

For full details on dude ranch vacations at this Canada guest ranch, see Tod Mountain's ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com

For full details of these packages and other special offers from Tod Mountain Ranch, click here.

It’s that time of year again when New Year resolutions are formed - always with good intentions, but normally ditched alongside surplus Christmas puddings and unwanted presents a few weeks into January. Well, 2012 may be the year all that changes. The team at Top50 has come up with some New Year resolution ideas that you might actually keep – and they could be life-changing...

1. Curb your spending Dude ranch vacations don't have to mean blowing the budget - check out these special offers from USA dude ranch Alisal Ranch, Canada guest ranch Tod Mountain Ranch and Argentina dude ranch Estancia Los Potreros. These special offers and discounts will see you saving $$$s on dude ranch vacations in 2012.

2. Travel to another continent Journey south of the equator for a horse riding holiday at Snowy River Horseback Adventure in New South Wales, Australia. Ride in ‘Man from Snowy River’ country as you embark on horse treks along bush trails and mountain ash forests. Or venture to neighboring New Zealand for a horse riding holiday at Beaumont High Country Experience, an authentic working cattle station where you can try your hand at sheep mustering. This 18,000-acre high-country sheep station offers incredible terrain over which you can choose to go horseback riding, on ATV tours, or hiking.

3. Take more ‘you’ time Blood pressure rising to the max? Overworked and stressed out? Then vow to take some more ‘you’ time in 2012. And what better way to relax than get away from it all on a dude ranch vacation at a luxury ranch with a spa? Dude ranches such Triple Creek, The Resort at Paws Up, Lone Mountain Guest Ranch, C Lazy U Ranch and Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge all offer wonderful surroundings in which to relax, de-stress and recharge your batteries. Relax in the pool or hot tub, take a leisurely horseback ride through peaceful scenery, and relax in the tranquility of it all.

4. Shed those Christmas pounds! Feeling the after-effects of all that Christmas overindulgence? Beat the post-festive bloat and put a spring back in your step with an energising and invigorating horseback riding adventure at an authentic working ranch like Burnt Well Guest Ranch, Estancia Huechahue, Rancho Los Banos and Bonanza Creek Ranch. With long, fast-paced days spent horseback riding, you’ll soon be feeling fighting fit!

If you’d rather shed those extra pounds without having to exert yourself so much, you could instead opt for dude ranch vacation at a ranch specialising in healthy cuisine. After all, there’s no better way to detox than by sampling delicious healthy cuisine whilst on a western ranch vacation.Top50 recommends Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, which specialises in gourmet, healthy cuisine. Even special diets such as 'Eat for your blood type' are incorporated into its extensive menu!

5. Reduce your carbon footprint Go green with a dude ranch vacation at a ranch with ethically sound practices. Free Rein Ranch creates ethical menus based on locally sourced produce, as the Canada dude ranch advocates the '100 mile diet', buying as much produce from local suppliers within a 100-mile radius. Chico Basin Ranch uses traditional methods to complement innovative management programs to sustain the Colorado working ranch's natural resources, and its sister ranch, Zapata Ranch, takes a similarly holistic approach and runs recreation, education and outreach programs as part of its ethical strategy.

6. Learn a new language Take up Spanish, whether it's brushing up long-forgotten schoolday skills or learning from scratch. Best of all, it's a great excuse test your skills on a ranch vacation at dude ranches in Argentina – such as Estancia Los Potreros, Estancia Ranquilco and Estancia Huechahue. Ride with the gauchos and practise your Spanish lingo - and probably pick up some authentic phrases along the way!

7. Take up a new sport Ever fancied trying something new on horseback - Polo, for example? You can do just that on a dude ranch vacation at Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina. Or maybe try your hand at non-riding activities offered by one of the Top50 dude ranches, such as cycling, golf, tennis, water sports, skiing and other winter sports, or fishing. Top50 has hundreds of dude ranch vacations, working ranch vacations and guest ranch vacations perfect for trying something different.

8. Spend more time with your family Dude ranch vacations offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family, and family dude ranches are ideal for getting away with the kids. Family dude ranches such as Majestic Dude Ranch and Lone Mountain Guest Ranch offer brilliant children’s programs, and Elk Mountain Ranch even has a full children's program for 3-7 year olds.

9. Spend more time with your partner If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, head to one of Top50’s adult-oriented dude ranches with your loved one - such as The Ranch at Rock Creek, Bonanza Creek, McGinnis Meadows and Rowse's 1+1 Ranch Quiet and secluded, such dude ranches offer great couples' ranch vacations.

10. Catch up with old friends Call your girlfriends and get 'em on a ranch vacations at Rancho Los Banos in Mexico - the working ranch and guest ranch is offering a Ladies' Special in August 2012, the perfect excuse for a budget girlfriends' getaway.

Inspired? Browse all of Top50's ranches to find your own way to keep your 2012 New Year Resolutions!

Western ranch vacations combined with a spot of pampering - that's a 'Rope & Soak' at a Top50 ranch! From honeymoons to girlfriends’ getaways, Rope & Soak dude ranch vacations offer a great new way to take a western horseback riding holiday.

You got up at the crack of dawn for a hearty cowboy breakfast before going down to the barn to saddle your horse. You’ve been riding all day, moving cattle and taking in mile after mile of breathtaking scenery. Moseying back to the ranch at the end of a long day, you’re tired but content. Surely the only thing that could top off your day is a soothing massage and a long soak in a bubbling hot tub. On a Rope & Soak vacation at a Top50 ranch, you can do just that.

There’s no reason why getting the most authentic western ranch vacation can’t offer pampering and luxury too, a winning combination hailed by The Hideout ranch in Wyoming, USA. European-style pampering and luxury spa facilities run alongside unbeatable horseback riding with ample opportunity for cattle work on the 250,000 working cattle ranch.

Or head to Bonanza Creek ranch in Montana, USA, which offers a comprehensive range of massages, Reiki, yoga and hot tub facilities alongside regular pasture gathers. Another Montana guest ranch is Triple Creek, where guests can take part in cattle drives and even work with the ranch’s bison herd. After a day riding alongside real cowboys, Triple Creek’s pool, hot tub and spa treatments await, to soothe those aching muscles.

Cowboy by day... (photo taken at Bonanza Creek Ranch, Montana USA)

Not forgetting Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in British Columbia, Canada, with its spa facilities rivaling that of 5-star hotels. Echo Valley is ideally suited to less experienced horseback riders wishing to immerse themselves in western cowboy culture and be pampered to the max! A great ranch for non-riders and families, it has something for everyone in truly beautiful mountain surroundings.

...And pampering by night (photo taken at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, BC, Canada)

The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, USA, offer the feel of the ‘true west’ without sacrificing true comfort. Here, ranch vacations are tailor-made to suit guest requirements, meaning as much or as little horseback riding and pampering as you wish. Guests can get their cowboy fix at the ranch’s weekly authentic rodeo, then rejuvenate at Rock Creek’s dedicated 5-room full spa service. This ranch screams luxury!

C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado, USA, has perhaps the most unique spa for a Rope & Soak vacation. Its outdoor setting suggests western authenticity and gives guests that feeling of reconnecting with nature. Housed inside year-round canvas tents complete with glass-bottom, hydronic-heated floors and furnishings made from the ranch’s very own wood, the spa boasts beautiful views across the creek. After an action-packed day of cattle gathering, this is perfect place to relax and unwind with a massage, facial, or C Lazy U’s signature ‘Cowboy Soak’ – a moonlit soak in old-fashioned, deep copper tubs overlooking the creek, complete with champagne and strawberries.

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, USA, is the ideal choice for less experienced riders looking for an authentic western vacation with second-to-none spa facilities. The ranch offers arena-based lessons and cattle sorting, as well as pasture gathers for all riding levels. Those new-found riding muscles can be soothed at the Paws Up spa, which offers relaxation massage, deep-tissue massage, rock therapies and countless other spa treatments.

Whatever your requirements on your dude ranch vacation, Top50 Ranches has a ranch to meet your needs. Whether it’s horseback riding action, relaxation, family friendly, true luxury or a mixture of everything, you’ll find it on a Rope & Soak.

Spa treatments at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa (British Columbia, Canada)

Climbing on-board a horse on a guest ranch vacation is extreme enough in itself, but if you’re looking for even more adventure from your horseback riding holiday, Top50 Ranches has some wild and wonderful western ranch experiences that’ll really get the adrenaline pumping.

Serious riders will love the true adventure and unparalleled remoteness of Estancia Ranquilco. Nothing gets you closer to nature than pack tripping in the wilderness, and guests visiting this 100,000-acre Argentine estancia can do just that in the foothills of the Andes. This is no donkey ride, however; you’ll learn to pack and lead a mule, and saddle and care for your horse as you spend 10 days packing in the mountains near Chile, camping under the stars in the pristine wilderness of Patagonia. Strong, calm, sure-footed horses will take you through remote valleys, over huge mountains and along narrow, steep and rocky trails. Entailing a three-hour horseback ride just to get in and out of the estancia, this horseback riding adventure is not for the faint-hearted.

Above: Pack-tripping at Ranquilco

If you prefer the saddle of a bike to that of a horse, Majestic Dude Ranch in Cortez, Colorado, has just the thing. Located near Durango, a town famous for its outdoor adventure activities, Majestic offers more extreme adventure opportunities that you can shake a water-ski at. Aside from a top-notch horseback riding program, Majestic boasts lake water sports, river floating and white-water rafting on its schedule of activities. But the highlight here lies in a small basement tucked away under the luxury lodgings – home to a brand new, top-of-the-range set of mountain bikes. With a bike and safety gear to fit every age and size, Majestic will kit you out with everything you need for the highlight of its cycling program – the famous Phil’s World, one of the top 10 cycle trails in the United States. Located high in Mesa Verde National Park, this network of single-track trails features half-mile climbs, a ‘rollercoaster’ section and several jumps – making this twisting, turning, up-and-down mountain trail one of the fastest growing destinations for mountain bikers the world over. Accompanied by Majestic’s cycling guide, you’ll experience the ultimate adrenaline-fuelled ride with stunning mountain scenery to boot. Guests are so won over by awe-inspiring cycling program, they’ve even been known to take a bike home with them!

Above: Unbeatable cycling program at Majestic, with access to world-class mountain biking trails

For the same stunning Colorado terrain but tackled from the back of a horse, head to neaby Chico Basin Ranch in Colorado Springs – the ultimate in working ranch vacations. The third-generation ranch operation’s day-to-day activities will dictate the nature of your stay, so expect to get your hands dirty and a sweat on your brow. And if you’re looking for frills then you’re best headed to the nearest hotel in local Colorado Springs, because you won’t find any here – this is the real ranch experience with true working cowboys. With the chance to spend more than eight hours in the saddle each day, a ranch vacation at Chico Basin is not one for the fainthearted, requiring boundless energy and enthusiasm – not to mention seatbones of steel!

Above: Herding the cattle at Chico Basin

A working ranch vacation at Chico’s sister ranch, Zapata Ranch in nearby Mosca, is equally challenging – but for very different reasons. Still a working ranch operation but with a more luxurious feel, Zapata offers its guest the unique challenge of moving bison herds aboard real cow horses. A completely different experience to moving traditional cattle herds, riding with bison requires quick reactions, skill in the saddle and nerves of steel! Horseback adrenaline rushes don’t come better than this, but for those preferring to get their kicks out of the saddle, whitewater rafting trips down the Arkansas river will provide Zapata guests with the ultimate in extreme adventure experiences.

Above: Get the chance to ride with Bison at Zapata Ranch in Colorado

For off-roading at its most extreme, head to the untamed natural environment of New Zealand for the Beaumont High Country Experience. A good level of fitness is recommended for the backcountry horseback riding over diverse, hilly terrain – whether it’s on full-day rides personally guided by a station owner, or week-long remote pack trips through the ranch against the backdrop of the Southland’s great mountains, where you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d just stepped into a scene from Lord of the Rings. For those preferring wheels to hooves on their guest ranch vacations, the excitement and adventure of four-wheeling in the high country awaits. Or if water sports are more up your street, travel to nearby Clifton for a thrilling jet boat adventure, crossing Lake Hauroko to the mouth of the Wairaurahiri River where you'll encounter some of the most intense and exciting white-water rapids New Zealand has to offer.

Above: Imagine you're in Lord of The Rings at Beaumont High Country Experience, New Zealand

While you’re ‘down under’, why not hop over to Australia for a Snowy River Horseback Adventure for a ranch vacation? With two to five-day treks across the snowy river countryside, Snowy River offers riding country that’s second to none, with each day in the saddle offering new adventure and diverse landscape to explore. This is no easy ride, however, and is certainly not for the fainthearted. Covering an average of 30 km each day, you’ll need to be riding fit; but the hard work will be worth it when you spot wildlife such as emu, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, echidna and deer, and herds of brumbies – Australian wild horses – along the way.

Above: Horseback adventures at Snowy River, Australia

If it’s remote wilderness you’re after, Rancho Los Baños ticks all the boxes – don’t expect to see a sign of civilisation for miles at this Mexican ranch. Safely located at the foot of the Sierra Madre in secure northeast Sonora, this travel destination is unlike anywhere else; a unique kind of guest ranch vacation catering to new-generation adventure travellers. The wilderness is comparable to the likes of Zion, Kenya and Tanzania, making for backcountry horseback riding you won’t find elsewhere. The vast, rugged and diverse land offers up a whole host of adventure pursuits, making for a 30,000-acre personal playground; whether it’s canyoneering or bouldering in the canyons, trekking in the rocky mountains, exploring the country by jeep, white-water rafting or a night-time safari, Los Baños guarantees a thrilling, challenging and fun-filled adventure.

Above: Landscape like no other at Los Banos Ranch in Mexico

For an equally remote adventure in the USA, Triple Creek Ranch’s Selway Wilderness Rides offer guests horseback riding in an area so secluded it cannot be reached except by airplane. A plane ride to the top of the Rocky Mountains in the Bitterroot National Forest brings guests to their horses and tack, ready to set off on rock ledge trails, across rivers and through fields, before fishing in pristine streams loaded with trout. Strictly for cowgirls, November sees ‘Klicks for Chicks’ – a 62-mile, women-only endurance ride. Venture into deep canyons, over mountain passes, past crystal clear lakes and through pristine meadows, to discover the last frontier of the Rocky Mountain West.

Triple Creek is located in the secluded Rocky Mountains

If the only thing that could drag you away on a ranch vacation are wild horses, then The Hideout Guest Ranch in Wyoming is the place to go. Home to a McCullough Peak wild Mustang herd, this luxury dude ranch offers the rare and unique opportunity to ride with wild horses. Says The Hideout’s manager, Peter De Cabooter: “Just last week, close to 50 wild horses came to circle the guests while we were out herding cows.” The Hideout, also a fully operational working ranch, has several Mustangs in its string of guest horses that head wrangler Ramon Castro has tamed and trained himself. Head to the ranch in September for The Hideout’s ‘Mustang Package’, and you can ride one of Ramon’s Mustangs to go exploring for the wild herd across the ranch, before attending the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Texas, in which Ramon himself will be competing. Horse riding holidays don’t come wilder than this!

Ride with wild horses at The Hideout Guest Ranch, Wyoming

Whether you head to one of Top50's dude ranch vacations, guest ranch vacations, working ranch vacations we know you'll have a great time. Or book a riding holiday estancia Argentina or a riding holiday, or to a working ranch in New Zealand, or go horse trekking in Australia, either way Top50 can help you find that ideal ranch experience.