The Setting
Private Land (20,000-40,000 acres)
Our colors and landscape are very diverse with different micro-climates and elevations. For this reason we attract a lot of photographers. Our landscape consists of rolling hills, creeks, red rock that makes you feel like you're in Arizona, deep canyons, green and dry portions, alpine forests, meadows, sagebrush, and lake country. Our wilderness reaches to 13,000 feet. This is a real trail riders paradise and home of The Big Horn 100 Mile Endurance Race.
Public Land (more than 50k acres)
BLM, National Forest & Wilderness Area. We have have grazing leases as well as recreational leases and have access to over 650,000 acres of riding.
Our Riding
Scheduled rides
We try to customize the riding as much as possible to suit the different riders and guests within the limits of what is possible, fun and safe. In terms of scheduled rides, we usually start the riding at approximately the same times of the day and return around approximately the same time. Especially for the half day rides. For the longer rides, cattle work or special rides we might leave earlier and come back later. As we get more and more experienced riders and people who like to come learn to ride or learn more about horses we do customize more and more to make sure all guests are happy with their experience. We are not perfect but strive to come close. Safety is our number one concern. Our staff, management and owners are experienced in matching horses and riders considering the terrain in which we ride. At times they might correct the rider or switch horses based on their experience. We will deal with big egos if they endanger themselves, their horse and the other riders. Our goal is to treat every guest the same. This includes individuals who think they are more special than others. We make sure everybody has a great vacation. During the shoulder seasons when we have less guests we can be even more flexible. If you ride with your own group or family we can customize your ride to meet your needs. We always consider safety, fun and respectful handling of our horses and livestock.
Unscheduled rides
Half day rides are scheduled and we try to leave no later than 8:30 for all day rides. However, there is flexibility as to when you come back and we customize that to each person. Although our weeks are well planned and organized, sometimes there are unique opportunities or events that come up where we are able guests on unscheduled rides. This could be to go do special cattle work for the ranch, explore new trails that we have never ridden or even see something special... During shoulder seasons we can be even more flexible. If you would like to ride with your family or group of friends we can customize rides to your needs within the boundaries of safety, fun and respect for our horses and livestock. The Hideout has a fleet of 7 well maintained heavy duty pick up trucks pulling stock trailers. This offers a rarely seen flexibility to explore new country and travel greater distances for excellent and diverse riding.
Guided rides
Because of the vast and varied terrain in which we ride, all of our rides are guided by our wranglers. However The Hideout offers a seldom seen freedom once we see that guests can handle their horse in a safe way for rider, horse and the rest of the group. Especially during cattle work and advanced rides there is a lot of freedom to ride out and explore country to look for cattle and herd them to the group. We have maximum 5 riders per guide/wrangler/cowboy to keep it personable.
Riding Freedom
Listening to our guests who have been to other guest ranches or our wranglers we offer a lot of freedom and riding opportunities. Guests appreciate the diversity of the terrain and the fact that every year they see different rides. This is a riding ranch and that is why most people come to The Hideout.
Good to know
During our orientation Monday morning, we ask guests who would like to trot or lope. We conduct a loping test in arena. Out on the trail, one wrangler will take the faster group and another wrangler will ride with guests who are comfortable at a walk. Loping takes place in the valley and safe areas in the mountains. We consider our horses as part of our employees and will make sure it is a safe place for rider and horse.
Weight limit for riding
Up to 225 lbs
Riding considerations
no riding experience needed, We recommend a good level of physical fitness
Hours in the saddle
Riding hours can vary depending upon ride and activity chosen. Half days vary from 2 to 2.5 hours - 2/3 days up to 5 hours and Full Days can last as long as 7 or more hours. Full day cattle drives can last into the evenings until the work is completed. Most of our rides are customized on a daily basis considering the desires and wishes of our guests. This is a riding ranch and that is why most our guests come.
Why our riding stands out
- Our staff are experienced, genuine, friendly and open minded equestrians. We are foremost a riding destination for riders of all levels. We have the unique capability of being able to satisfy the most experienced riders as well as help more novice riders become comfortable and confident in the saddle.
- In addition to riding lessons, The Hideout offers a weekly clinic/demonstration of of natural horsemanship. Our staff are well-trained and have an open minded approach to natural horsemanship. The Hideout also offers riding lessons to guests who wish to improve their horsemanship.
For those interested in a full-week natural horsemanship clinic, contact The Hideout office for availability and dates.
- The Hideout offers a rarely seen diversity of terrain out on rides. The Hideout has access to over 650,000 acres of riding on private, National Forest and BLM lands. Guests will be awed by the dramatic vistas and sweeping views while out on rides.
Sample Riding Itinerary
Every evening during cocktail hour our head wrangler or one of the owners visits with you and presents the possibilities of activities for the next day to see what you would like to do the following day. We try to make things as customized as possible with various riding opportunities from traill riding, riding lessons, horsemanship initiation, arena work to the different levels of cattle work we offer. We work to accommodate each guest's needs from the length of ride they'd like, to the type of ride they're interested in. This includes the non-riding activities.
Full Day Cattle Work Schedule
7.30am - Breakfast Need to be ready by 8.15am
If you participate in a full day cattle work it mirrors what cowboys do on these big vast ranches. They each have a truck and trailer and load up their horses in the morning to drive where the cattle work needs to be done and where one can only go on horseback. You will have the possibility to experience the same concept.
By 8.15 AM all horses are loaded up in the trailers and the wranglers picks up the guests in front of the lodge. This is a real working cattle ranch so we go where the livestock is on this 250,000 acre spread. The drive to and from where we park the truck & trailer to unload is always scenic and often challenging. Every truck takes a maximum 5 guests per truck and 6 to 7 horses per trailer.
We unload the horses, bridle, check cinches and ride out to where we need to start the cattle work, rounding up, drive cattle, sort cattle, etc.
During cattle work our guests can stay with the wrangler or follow directions on where to go look for cattle, calves or yearlings. Confident, adventurous riders will split off and start working immediately. Others will stay more close to the wrangler and follow his instructions, riding with him/her. The wrangler keeps an eye on the entire party to make sure they are safe and that all work is being done properly.
Beginners can stay on the trail or with the larger group of cattle/livestock and push them in the direction we are headed, while the other riders search the country and bring smaller groups to the herd.
As the work continues the herd grows and soon it takes all hands to keep the herd moving forward.
The rides are through scenic and very diverse country, making cattle work at The Hideout a breathtaking scenic ride.
A break for lunch is taken at a nice picnic spot around noon.
Once the cattle is finished there is a scenic ride back to the trucks and trailers. If there are two groups they are usually split in a fast group and a slower group. The wrangler with the faster group(trot/lope) will take a longer trail to head back to the trailer.
Arriving at the trailer the riders dismount, unbridle and load up the horses. Driving down to the valley there is usually some good fun in the truck. We arrive at the barn between 4.30 PM and 6 PM.
By 6.30pm everyone meets for Cocktail hour and looks at the pictures of the day which are loaded up the computer.
7pm - Dinner After a full days work/ride all the guests dine together and dinners are hosted by the owners or managers. After dinner there are games, music, campfire, hot tub, horseshoeing, etc. However most of the guests are usually off-to-bed because they are exhausted.
Sometimes we will take a group on "extreme cattle work” which is usually for the better riders and can be as long as 9 to 10 hours depending upon the work that needs to be done. This group does not return unless the job is done and does not really consider being back by cocktail hour or dinner. It is just a day like the hands of the ranch. It's finished when the job is finished. So it can be earlier done than anticipated.
Trail Rides
There are ½ day trail rides, 2/3 day trail rides or full day trail rides and there are trail rides for beginners, intermediate and advanced. The ½ day rides always return to The Hideout for lunch and these rides are in the valley. After lunch the afternoon rides depart at 1.30 PM from the barn.
Half day rides leave at 8.30 AM and are back between 11 AM and 12 PM. The afternoon rides arrive back at the barn around 4.30 PM. Guests can opt for a morning ride, an afternoon ride or a morning and afternoon ride. The 2/3 of a day trail rides are usually back at the barn around 2 to 3 PM. We take lunch in the mountains on the trail.
We ride private property, BLM, National Forest and Wilderness Trails. Diversity of scenery throughout the week ranges from riding in the half desert with sage, riding in red rock and red canyons, riding green canyons with creeks, riding alpine forests, alpine meadows, aspen coves.
Arena & Lower Pastures Cattle Work & Stockmanship
For this we meet at 8.30 at the barn and arena where these activities start, much as the half day rides. For the afternoon activities we meet at 1.30 PM.
Riding Lessons & Authentic Horsemanship Initiation
We also meet at 8.30 AM at the barn and arena (inside or outside) for these activities.
Non-Riding Activities
For the non-riding activities we usually meet around 8.30 AM and 1.30 PM at The Main Lodge.
4x4 tours & Ranch Tours
Usually Peter, one of the owners will pick you up either at The Main Lodge or at a place of your convenience.
Specialized Photo Clinics & Tours
These schedules are set by the organizing groups and companies.
Riding Lessons
We offer riding lessons, getting acquainted with your horse lessons, natural horsemanship and ground work for beginning, intermediate and advanced equestrian. During the summer season we give the initiations and during some week we have visiting clinicians. This is part of the package. During the shoulder season we offer specialized clinics during specific weeks. The more experienced horse people will enjoy these as we are very open minded when it comes to clinicians. We welcome clinicians from around the world as long as they are respectful, non-ego and professional. We also invite guests to participate and learn the basics of colt starting when we're starting a colt.
Details
lessons come with package, basic riding lessons, advanced horsemanship lessons
Given by
wrangler, horse trainer, ranch owner or manager
Location
on the trail, in the arena
Natural Horsemanship Clinic
Clinician
Own staff and specialized clinicians of a diversity of backgrounds and levels
Details
Clinics occur weekly, Clinics occur yearly, Included in package, Clinics occur in the arena, Clinics occur on the trail
Cost
$Included in the package
Focuses on
Our clinics take place during the shoulder seasons and focus on either general or specific points. We work with clinicians for around the world with the requirements they are 1) Respectful, low stress and open minded 2) Low Ego and not about themselves but about the horse and the participants 3) Professional and experienced 4) Friendly, safe, patient and respectful towards our horses, guests and staff. The clinic starts Sunday evening with a presentation on natural horsemanship and the history of horses with open questions and conversation. Our morning focus takes place in the arena and afternoon we apply the principles on the trail. During arena time, the trainers give a demo with horses and then go into break-out sessions with each wrangler taking 3-4 people aside and working independently with them. The clinic covers trail riding, cattle work, team penning, sorting, how to correctly bridle a horse (to be consistent so horses are comfortable), correctly saddling, and approaching and touch a horse. The trainers will zoom in and customize as needed. In the evenings, guest speakers/demonstrators come such as a saddle maker, veterinarian, and anyone related to horses.
Cattle work - pasture gathers
The cattle reside in the mountains throughout the summer; therefore, we trailer to the cattle. We will take up to seven trucks and trailers to the mountains to trail ride and work the cattle. On cattle drives, we take a maximum 5:1 guest to wrangler ration on cattle drives. Cattle work occurs as needed - The cattle work that occurs is because it's actual work that needs to be done; we don't make up the work.
When
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Frequency
Weekly
No. of yearlings
400-800
No. of cow/calf pairs
1200
Interaction
Guests participate
Branding work
Frequency
On Request
No. of Branding
100-250
Wildlife Safaris
4x4 trips in the mountains. We pack a very nice picnic and often there will be wildlife sightings.
When
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Frequency
Weekly
Arena Work
We have a big, competitive arena and 90x90 feet inside arena. We use the arena for Monday morning orientation, riding lessons, team penning and sorting, games, stockmanship, cattle work orientation, authentic horsesmanship, etc. We also have round pens outside for training horses. The arena is groomed weekly and if too dusty we have a sprinkler system. We do more training in the arena working on movement of the horses. We will also teach stockmanship on foot as well as from the back of the horse so guests know how to do it when we work cattle in the natural environment.
Type
indoor arena, outdoor arena, professional rodeo arena
Activities
penning, sorting, roping from the ground