Say “dude ranch” and most horsemen think of stop-and-go, nose-to-tail riding on hack horses with no character.  The scenery of the American West may be breathtaking but the riding usually isn’t.  The Home Ranch of Clark,  Colorado,  is an exception:  you can choose your horse for the week from their permanent herd, or switch around in conjunction with your daily activity – lessons, half day rides, full day rides, cattle-working excursions.  A different horse is featured every month on the ranch’s website, a good sign. Rides consist of six or fewer horses and are grouped by ability and interest.  Winter riding is also offered, so the horse-crazy can ride while companions ski.  Guides and cowboys practice natural horsemanship and all kinds of equestrian classes are offered during the week – saddling and grooming, horse psychology, handling outdoor obstacles, and team penning. Serious horsemanship is not the only outstanding feature here; the Home Ranch is also the only US dude ranch to be a member of Relais et Chateaux, the French organization of hostelries with great service and to-die-for food. 

Written by  Claudia Flisi.

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