Guest Ranch Wranglers - a serious bunch

Summer is coming soon – yeehaw! We are now looking over applications for summer 2012. Here’s some highlights:

Don’t listen to those wranglers! YOU are the most important part of our ranch!

Some of the most important memories that we want to create for our guests are meal memories. We eat in the dining room, in the back yard, and on the trail. We serve “hearty western fare family style,” which can include lots of vegetables and salads as well as meat and potatoes. Because Ellen and Dan are both RN’s we see many guests who have therapeutic diets or allergies.

The kitchen staff is a group of five people who have high energy and good humor. Psychosis is not an . . . → Read More: Yeehaw! 2012 Summer Dude Ranch Jobs]]> Colorado Guest Ranch Summer Employment

Guest Ranch Wranglers - a serious bunch

Summer is coming soon – yeehaw! We are now looking over applications for summer 2012. Here’s some highlights:

Summer Dude Ranch Kitchen Staff

Don’t listen to those wranglers! YOU are the most important part of our ranch!

Some of the most important memories that we want to create for our guests are meal memories. We eat in the dining room, in the back yard, and on the trail. We serve “hearty western fare family style,” which can include lots of vegetables and salads as well as meat and potatoes. Because Ellen and Dan are both RN’s we see many guests who have therapeutic diets or allergies.

The kitchen staff is a group of five people who have high energy and good humor. Psychosis is not an obstacle to working in the kitchen, although active drinking problems will get you sent on your way. Kitchen and housekeeping staff typically works forty-five hours per week over six days.

Horse back riding summer ranch job

There are five positions in and around the kitchen:
1. Kitchen Manager/THE Cook (the Boss)
2. Breakfast Cook/Prep Cook
3. Dining Room Steward/Dishwasher
4. Kangaroo #1/Housekeeper/Dishwasher/Other skill #1
5. Kangaroo #2/ Housekeeper/Dishwasher/Other skill #2

Guest Ranch Barn Employment:

Don’t listen to those kitchen people! YOU are the most important part of our ranch!

Some of the most important memories that we want to create for our guests are from horseback! The barn has three types of wranglers:

Making happy people: not a bad summer job!

1. The Barn Manager (Boss)
2. Children’s Wrangler
3. Plain Ol’ Fashioned Wranglers

Dude Ranch Rock Climbing Instructor.

This is a part time position, usually done by a Kangaroo or Wrangler. (i.e. Must be bi-lingual (speaking both kitchen and horse) or schizophrenic.

Hunting jackalopes - guest ranch employment can be dangerous!

If you are interested in working for us, then please

1. Study the Dude Ranch Job Descriptions, then

2. Visit the page that lists our Guest Ranch Employment Expectations, and then

3. Wranglers (only) please visit the Dude Ranch Wrangler Video script, then

4. Feel free to send us a Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Application.

Country Inn Christmas Horseback Ride

Usually by now we are fully booked for the Christmas Country Inn holiday week, and the New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery.

Pet Friendly Sledding: Christmas Country Inn

We’re not!!! Come see us!

Come join us! Your dogs are welcome! We are pet friendly. (You can bring human friends too. Heck, even your children!)

We have Colorado snow on the ground, and sunny days. It makes for beautiful horse back riding!

We ride our horses just about every day.

After your ride, you will enjoy the . . . → Read More: 10% Off Country Inn Christmas or New Years B&B –]]> A Pretty Darn Good Deal! 10% Off Colorado Country Inn Christmas or New Years B&B -

Country Inn Christmas Horseback Ride

Usually by now we are fully booked for the Christmas Country Inn holiday week, and the New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery.

Pet Friendly Sledding: Christmas Country Inn

We’re not!!! Come see us!

Come join us! Your dogs are welcome! We are pet friendly. (You can bring human friends too. Heck, even your children!)

We have Colorado snow on the ground, and sunny days. It makes for beautiful horse back riding!

We ride our horses just about every day.

After your ride, you will enjoy the quiet. Here’s some pictures of our  Bed & Breakfast rooms and suites.

We can also arrange Swedish Massage.

Is that Charlie Chaplain?

The evening of New Year’s Eve we plan a Murder Mystery game. These games can be hysterically funny!

Sledding down the front steps.

Get in touch with your “inner murderer”!

More about our B&B Murder Mystery weekends.

Winter Country Inn B&B Rates

To book your reservation, give us a call at 970-224-1222 or 800-357-4930.

You can subscribe to our new newsletter, to be published not-too-frequently – we promise!.

Riding in the front yard

Here’s a few memories from winters past.

Happy rider, happy horse.

Soooo Romantic!

or a

Most people elope to a dude ranch to get away from their family and friends. They want a relaxed, very simple ceremony and a fun weekend getaway horseback riding.

Country Inn Wedding

Well, Joel and Sheri decided to have a simple, relaxed ceremony, but brought their family, including all the kids and the dogs.

Why? They had an opportunity to tie the knot while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and were married while visiting the Sea of Galilee. Wow!

But what of mom and dad? And what of the gang of brothers and sisters and the small herd of nephews and . . . → Read More: Dude Ranch Death: A B&B Murder Mystery & Wedding!]]>

Soooo Romantic!

Is this a Bed & Breakfast wedding with a Murder Mystery Game?

or a

B&B Murder Mystery Weekend with a wedding?

Most people elope to a dude ranch to get away from their family and friends. They want a relaxed, very simple ceremony and a fun weekend getaway horseback riding.

Country Inn Wedding

Well, Joel and Sheri decided to have a simple, relaxed ceremony, but brought their family, including all the kids and the dogs.

Why? They had an opportunity to tie the knot while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and were married while visiting the Sea of Galilee. Wow!

But what of mom and dad? And what of the gang of brothers and sisters and the small herd of nephews and nieces?

What to do?

Cocoa Tasting Her New Creation

Sheri is a brilliant woman – she brought the family together for a re-do and just for fun a murder mystery game for the weekend! Joel’s a pretty smart guy – he married a brilliant woman! Twice!

Despite the Dog's Best Efforts, Cocoa Dies

Everyone had a great weekend except Cocoa. Poor Cocoa!

She takes one taste of her new candy, and dies! Dead  as a doornail, despite the dog’s best efforts at muzzle to mouth resuscitation.

Two Suspects: Princess Leia & Luke Jr???

Who did it???

The list of suspects includes almost everyone who attended the wedding!

So here’s a small collection of some of the pictures from the murder mystery game and the wedding.

Kids, dogs, dead bodies... what a wedding!

Mom doesn't watch the high-jinks, she CAUSES the high-jinks!

Is Wally Winker Cocoa's Wacker?

Murder Didn't Affect Anyone's Appetite for Cake!

A Cup of Wine, Thee, and a Murder Mystery

Family Adventure

1. What is Stevie saying here?

This quiz is part of a series of articles that we have written in the  Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Horse Safety and Horse Communication collection, including Speaking to Your Dude Ranch Horse Part 1 and Speaking to your Dude Ranch Horse Part 2.

When at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, either for a summer dude ranch vacation or Fall/Winter/Spring B&B stay,

2. And Mocha?

you will spend lots of time with our horses (and donkeys!).

Horses communicate with body . . . → Read More: Dude Ranch Quiz: What is This Horse Saying???]]> Colorado Dude Ranch horses communicate very clearly!

1. What is Stevie saying here?

This quiz is part of a series of articles that we have written in the  Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Horse Safety and Horse Communication collection, including Speaking to Your Dude Ranch Horse Part 1 and Speaking to your Dude Ranch Horse Part 2.

When at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, either for a summer dude ranch vacation or Fall/Winter/Spring B&B stay,

2. And Mocha?

you will spend lots of time with our horses (and donkeys!).

Horses communicate with body language. (Is this why women so often understand their horses immediately, and why guys are so often clueless?) Their faces, and especially their ears speak volumes, once you learn how to read them.

3. And Rose Blossom?

Here’s a quick primer on some easy to recognize “expressions.”  Have fun!

Answers to each of these facial expressions are listed at he bottom of the page!

4. What is Apache saying here?

5. What is Khalli doing?

6. And Rusty?

7. What is Calamity Jane saying here?

Request our Dude Ranch brochure, or Download pdf now, or Email the ranch.

Laura and Skip enjoy the snow.

Hmmmm…… The weather people call for an October total of 2.9 inches of snow for our area. We got that three weeks ago, and it disappeared the next morning, as October snow should. The aspens still claim October as theirs; time to show off their golden leaves.

HoustonTracy with her horse Gauge

Oops! Wait a minute – we got a good eight more inches last night, and another six inches falling today!

The . . . → Read More: Yehaw!!! Snow for our Dude Ranch Halloween!!!]]> Mountain Lodge Horse Back Riding in the Snow

Laura and Skip enjoy the snow.

Hmmmm…… The weather people call for an October total of 2.9 inches of snow for our area. We got that three weeks ago, and it disappeared the next morning, as October snow should. The aspens still claim October as theirs; time to show off their golden leaves.

HoustonTracy with her horse Gauge

Oops! Wait a minute – we got a good eight more inches last night, and another six inches falling today!

The dogs are delighted! The older horses are playing like foals! The goats are making snow angels and laughing!

And the guests riding in the snow? Just look at their faces…

This Sure Ain't Houston Horse back Riding Y'all!

Tracy (from Houston!) says that riding in the snow is spectacular. I think that Laura (from Cleveland) agrees. Not too sure what Texan Kevin (also from Houston) thinks, but his horse, Jack is a happy fella! At lunch Kevin said it was a great ride…

Cowboy Victor was born and raised up here – he’s just cold!

Mountain lodge cowboy Victor horseback riding his trusty steed, Trigger!

So now it’s official.

It’s fall. now we’re ready for Halloween!

Trick or treat!!!

First snow-person of the season. Jack! No Jack! No! Ahhhh... naughty dog....

Asia is small, but sure is pretty!

Asia is a beautiful little girl. Just look at those eyes! Easy to catch, groom and tack.

Good all-around – in the arena, in the pasture or on the trail. Neck reins, never argues, can be fast if you ask her!

This is a horse with lots of heart and potential. She is young, but developing real grace and poise. >Note: Pink booted dude ranch cowgirl, Marion, is from France and rides with short reins.

Age: 2003

Asia has pretty eyes.

Color & Markings: Bay; star, strip, snip Height: 14 H Horse size: Small Rider size: Small Rider skill: Confident Beginner/teen Bit: Low . . . → Read More: Meet our Dude Ranch Horses and Staff: Asia!]]> An Adventure Vacation Trail Rider: Asia

Asia is small, but sure is pretty!

Asia is a beautiful little girl. Just look at those eyes! Easy to catch, groom and tack.

Good all-around – in the arena, in the pasture or on the trail. Neck reins, never argues, can be fast if you ask her!

This is a horse with lots of heart and potential. She is young, but developing real grace and poise.
>Note: Pink booted dude ranch cowgirl, Marion, is from France and rides with short reins.

Age: 2003

Asia has pretty eyes.

Color & Markings: Bay; star, strip, snip
Height: 14 H
Horse size: Small
Rider size: Small
Rider skill: Confident Beginner/teen
Bit: Low port

Dude ranch horse & rider: Asia & Marion!

Dude Ranch Bear Table

–After successfully keeping momma black bear and her cubs out of the dumpster and the kitchen all summer, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch has been been completely overrun with bears… and mooses*!!

-Take home a bear as a memory of your ranch vacation! Or maybe a Christmas present from your family vacation. Looks like there’s a whole herd of the critters hiding in the gift shop, next to the Jackalopes, water bottles, disc golf Frisbies, and elegant Colorado hand carved bowls.

Bears Hiding in our Dude Ranch Gift Shop

-Our neighbor, Rob, is a chainsaw artist, and he make some of the finest carvings we’ve ever seen!

-Our dude ranch has become a gallery . . . → Read More: Bears Invade Dude Ranch! (and Mooses too!)]]> Guest Ranch take-over!!!

Dude Ranch Bear Table

–After successfully keeping momma black bear and her cubs out of the dumpster and the kitchen all summer, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch has been been completely overrun with bears… and mooses*!!

-Take home a bear as a memory of your ranch vacation! Or maybe a Christmas present from your family vacation. Looks like there’s a whole herd of the critters hiding in the gift shop, next to the Jackalopes, water bottles, disc golf Frisbies, and elegant Colorado hand carved bowls.

Bears Hiding in our Dude Ranch Gift Shop

-Our neighbor, Rob, is a chainsaw artist, and he make some of the finest carvings we’ve ever seen!

-Our dude ranch has become a gallery of finished pieces!

-Rob’s work shows the demanding control and precision needed for this unlikely art form.

Itty Bitty Dude Ranch Bear & Kleenex

Big ones, little ones, some holding signs, some holding tables, some just sitting on a table top being cute.

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Front Porch Greeters!

Most of these are bears, but there are cubs and mooses* as well.

He takes custom orders for wood carvings of any kind; including bears, bear lamps, Eagles, Indians, Cowboys, Santas, pumpkins, …you name it!

Bears Protecting Ranch Dining Room Fireplace

Rob’s prices vary, depending on the size and difficulty of the piece, and whether any museums or fine arts galleries are bidding for the piece.

Colorado Ranch Vacation Hugs 5 cents!

Generally, small bears & mooses*,  about a foot tall, start at $35 or so.

If you have something special in mind, please feel free to email the ranch and Rob can give you a quote.

Also, Rob said he’s open to demonstrating his art here at the guest ranch if you have a group that would like to watch & learn more.

• Mail you our Dude Ranch Brochure? or
• Download the .pdf version of our Dude Ranch brochure?
• Book your reservation? or
• Send an email to the ranch?
  

  Ranch Vacation Bear in Gift Shop

* We appreciate that in some parts of the country the plural of “moose” is “meese” but here in Colorado we use the more correct ranch term “mooses.”

Family Dude Ranch Vacation KIds Horse: Old Man Dusty

Dusty is about 35 years old. He is a solid professional, and refuses to retire. He loves kids, and when saddled, gets in line and follows the leader.

A great teacher for beginners, a great buddy horse for a kid on an adventure vacation.

Dusty is missing most of his grinders and is fat because he is fed Senior Feed twice a day.

Note: Pink booted cowgirl (Marion!) is from France and rides with short reins. Dark haired cowgirl (Kaitlyn!) is a beginner student.

Dusty is a fat old horse!

Age: Older than dirt

Height: 15

Horse size: Medium

Annie (with John) loves to lead every Trail Ride at our Guest Ranch

She has a very fast walk, which some riders enjoy, and which intimidates some anxious riders. She has very sensitive sides. Annie loves to run! The whole forest is her dude ranch!!!

She has never bucked, spun, reared or tried to unseat her rider. But she has a mind of her own, and does not immediately automatically follow her riders’ cues. She likes to be in charge, but will gladly follow a confident rider, after that rider has established her/his horse back riding authority.

Annie is excellent on trails – never spooks. Likes to lead every trail ride.

Timid riders who need a “push-button” horse would not enjoy her.

A wrangler favorite. Annie also LOVES . . . → Read More: Meet our Dude Ranch Horses and Staff: Annie!]]>

Trail riding on Annie is a great adventure vacation!

Annie (with John) loves to lead every Trail Ride at our Guest Ranch

She has a very fast walk, which some riders enjoy, and which intimidates some anxious riders. She has very sensitive sides. Annie loves to run! The whole forest is her dude ranch!!!

She has never bucked, spun, reared or tried to unseat her rider. But she has a mind of her own, and does not immediately automatically follow her riders’ cues. She likes to be in charge, but will gladly follow a confident rider, after that rider has established her/his horse back riding authority.

Annie is excellent on trails – never spooks. Likes to lead every trail ride.

Timid riders who need a “push-button” horse would not enjoy her.

A wrangler favorite. Annie also LOVES water. When allowed, she will swim in our mountain lodge pond with the ducks (and her tack, and her rider…!). She also enjoys putting both front feet in the water troughs and kicking out all the water – just for fun!

Annie - cutest lady in the horseback riding world!

Age: 1998

Color & Markings: Buckskin
Height: 15 Hands
Horse size: Medium QH
Rider size: Medium
Rider skill: Confident
Bit: Padded hack

Annie loves to laugh!

Dude Ranch horseback riding; Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Colorado

Mounting my quarter horse, I steel myself for the journey, A ripple runs through him as my legs gently squeeze his sides, He moves forward, slowly at first. I feel his power beneath me, Flicking the reins he gathers momentum Faster and faster and faster, He breathes deeply, Fire bursts from his flared nostrils. The plain stretches before us like endless time. hands pull at my hair, my clothes, Stripping my mortality. My heart beats to the . . . → Read More: Guest Ranch Horseback Riding – My Daydream]]> Guest Ranch Horseback Riding is seldom as intense as Dorothy May Winfield expresses here, but this poem beautifully catches those blissful moments of being “in the zone” with your horse. Thanks, Dorothy (and Stewart!) – please say hello to Scotland for us. We hope to see you again next year!

Dude Ranch horseback riding; Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Colorado

Mounting my quarter horse, I steel myself for the journey,
A ripple runs through him as my legs gently squeeze his sides,
He moves forward, slowly at first.
I feel his power beneath me,
Flicking the reins he gathers momentum
Faster and faster and faster,
He breathes deeply,
Fire bursts from his flared nostrils.
The plain stretches before us like endless time.
hands pull at my hair, my clothes,
Stripping my mortality.
My heart beats to the rhythm of his hooves.
The ball of fire above, now burns my naked body.
The saddle has gone,
There is nothing between us,
We have become one.
Only my senses are alive,
I am lost, deep within myself.

Our Western Horseback Riding philosophy is on our Riding Horses page.