While planning your vacation consider a getaway at a Colorado dude ranch. There are opportunities for beginner and experienced riders. You can choose from a number of Colorado locations; each ranch will have its own incredible scenery and distinct features. This is a chance to leave your day-to-day concerns behind, so throw your hat in the air with a shout of "Yippee aye yay!" and spend some time out on the range.
Function
Dude ranches have served to educate and provide entertainment for a variety of people who were living away from the cowboy way of life. Guests can join in on round ups, castrations and branding therefore learning how the animals are cared for. Dude ranches are also a good place to learn how to ride, and even care for, a horse.
History
Dude ranches began to spring up in the 1800s when ranchers started to realize there was an increasing number of city people who wanted to experience life on a ranch. For some of these people this was the first time they had gone horseback riding. The ranches became known as dude ranches and over time this term was replaced with guest ranch.
Location
Choose a ranch surrounded by the magnificent Rocky Mountains or another mountain range for rugged and hilly rides. A ranch by a lake or river could open your holiday up for some water sports while a ranch set on the plains allows you to watch an incoming storm rumble in from miles away. With so many choices you are bound to find a ranch in Colorado that will suit you.
Types
There are different types of riding vacations available for you in Colorado. Ranches provide rides by the hour, day trips, weekend trips, week long and longer trips. You can also choose from all-inclusive packages with different options and time frames. Or you may prefer to choose your activities on the spur of the moment.
Features
Colorado guest ranches have a variety of features to choose from. Some ranches are more like spas than a true cowboy experience. With these ranches the focus is more on the health and well-being of the guest. They have golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and spa treatments.
However, there are still traditional ranches to choose from where the emphasis is still on making the most of the ranching lifestyle. Different ranches will also offer opportunities to go hiking, river rafting or fishing. Regardless of the ranch you choose, horseback riding is still a large part of the experience.
Considerations
Every Colorado guest ranch has its own atmosphere and they are able to cater to a variety of different group dynamics. However, some ranches will have a stronger focus on certain groups such as a ranch that provides opportunities solely for kids and not the entire family.
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