Riding and more ....
From the moment you arrive we promise nothing less than real, down-home hospitality in a very personal and family oriented setting. The atmosphere is relaxed and you will enjoy a sense of freedom from stress. The main ranch house, a beautiful log home, is open to the guests at all times for family style dining, entertaining and relaxation. The ranch offers a unique ranch adventure with personalized attention and the opportunity to step back in time and experience the real West as it has been and can still be today. No matter if you plan on coming alone, bringing your family or group of friends, planning a reunion or corporate retreat, you will find this ranch to be an ideal setting for a unique getaway. If you have an appreciation of beautiful western scenery, wildlife, horses, good home cooked food and a simplistic way of life, this is the place for you. 

There is plenty or riding to do. All pastures are watered by springs, creeks or lakes. To make sure that the pastures are grazed evenly, we move the cattle within each pasture at least once a week to a new water source and put out salt and minerals. At the same time we check the herd for their health. A sick or injured animal gets either treated right on the spot or we bring it back to the headquarters to keep it under watch.

You will see a wide selection of wildlife during your rides. At the same time, though, the amount of wildlife has also quite some effect on the fences. And cattle have an incredible talent in spotting holes in the fence - the grass on the other side of the fence always seems to look greener. Therefore, it is also one of our daily chores to check fences, repair if necessary and bring back strays. Overall, days on an operating cattle ranch are always filled with work as well as excitement. The ranch staff loves to share this experience and lifestyle of the old western tradition with the guests and friends from all across the country and around the world.

On average, the warmest month is July.  The highest recorded temperature was 104°F in 2006. January is the average coolest month. The lowest recorded temperature was -41°F in 1990.  May is the average wettest month.

Gear List - Recommended Equipment for Daily Rides and other Activities

Tips and Tricks for your Cowboy Adventure at The Bucking S Ranch

Comfortable and Protective Clothing

 

• Cowboy hat or other hat with stampede string to protect from the weather
  
• Jeans (plan on getting dirty). If you get sore easily, you might want to wear long johns or stockings under your jeans
  
• Long sleeve shirt (not only protects from the sun but also from branches when getting cattle out of the willows and trees or from barbed wire when doing fence work if you like to get a real hands on experience.)
  
• Cowboy boots (break them in before you come to avoid blisters) or other boots with a heel and a smooth sole are a must have to ride, other shoes or a deep rubber ridged sole are not safe on a horse!!!
  
• Boot socks
  
• Riding gloves
  
• Scarf/Bandana to protect from the dust if you move cattle
  
• Light wind protective jacket, warm jacket in spring and fall as well as warmer clothing for the evenings and mornings - temperatures drop quite a bit at night
  
• Rain gear might not hurt to bring especially in the spring and fall
  

It is best to plan for a couple of layers of comfortable clothing that you can peel off since weather and temperatures can change quickly around here.

Special Tip: Wear bike shorts under your jeans - guests swear by them and they sure do save your backside if you are not used to a lot of riding!

Swim Gear: if you plan on going to the lake or using the hot tub, don’t forget your swim wear!

Saddle / Chaps

Chaps are not necessary, but if you have some you probably want to bring them. Bring a saddle only if you prefer to use your own. All tack is provided.

Toiletries We are located at high altitude (6,000 to over 8,000 ft) and have low humidity. So make sure you bring your lip balm, plenty of sunscreen, and anything you need for allergies or medication in addition to your common personal care items. Hair dryer and plenty of towels are provided.

Sleeping Bag

If you plan on participating in an overnight cow camp, please bring your own sleeping bag.

Canteen / Water Bottle

You want to be able to carry plenty of water on your rides! Dehydration is a common problem in our altitude and we will be out for long rides at a time. We do provide water bottles that are in common use and we also offer water bottles for sale. However, If you prefer to bring your own water bottles put them on your packing list.

Fishing Gear

If you plan on going river or lake fishing it would be best if you could bring your own pole, flies, bait, a few hooks or a couple of shiny lures depending on what you plan on fishing for. The next bait shop is in Alcova (33 mi. from the ranch).

Snack food/beverages

Meals, snacks and beverages are provided. Bring anything we may not have that you can't live without. If you are not sure, ask us! We will try to have your special brand of soda pop here for you if we know what you like, the same with snack food.

Alcoholic Beverages

If alcoholic beverages are desired, please bring your own. We do not serve alcohol on the ranch.

Also don’t forget your camera. You might also want to bring binoculars if you like to go wildlife and bird watching and your own flashlight for evening strolls.

You will stay in comfortable and cozy duplex log cabins with private bath. From your private front porch you will enjoy incredible and undisturbed views in all directions. All rooms are individually furnished with western décor, a stove and sitting area. You can choose from either a king size bed, two twin beds or two full size bunk beds for larger groups or families. After a full day of fun and adventure and with the smell of clean, fresh air, you'll never get a better night's rest!
The main ranch house, a beautiful log home, is open to our guests at all times for family style dining, entertaining and relaxation. The atmosphere is casual and you can enjoy your evenings relaxing in front of the fire place sharing you day's adventures, reading a good book or shooting some pool. Also, you find a hot tub for your relaxation after a long day in the saddle or exploring the scenic country side.

Meals  ....
During your stay you will be treated to wholesome home cooked ranch style meals served family or buffet style. At over 6,000 feet elevation the fresh air and outdoor activities provide a terrific appetite booster - so we serve em' up in cowboy sized portions including a full ranch breakfast, lunch or sack lunch if we go on all day rides and at night we often have cookouts or barbecues. The menus are deliciously varied and fresh, including homemade breads and desserts. The coffee and tea pot is always on, the cookie jar full and fresh fruits, lemonade and ice tea are available at all time.  Since our own crew is split between meat and non-meat eaters, we always complement our main course with fresh vegetables and salads and recognize and appreciate guests' variance in appetites. With advance notice we will do our best to satisfy yours.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

The riding program will invigorate riders of every ability. There are excellent horses for novice as well as experienced riders. Depending on your experience, we walk, trot, and canter across tens of thousands of acres - there is no nose to tail riding on the ranch. You will enjoy the companionship of a good horse, the variety of terrain, beautiful vistas, interesting geologic formations and abundant wildlife. Beginners will be made to feel comfortable on the most gentle of horses and we offer short rides as well as instructional rides and give you special attention on our regular rides.
Each pasture stretches over a couple thousand acres of rugged and diverse terrain, and we often have to back-ride pastures to find all the mavericks. Driving cattle from one pasture to another means long hours in the saddle and sometimes we even go for two days with an overnight cow camp. 
All pastures are watered by springs, creeks or lakes. To make sure that the pastures are grazed evenly, we also move the cattle within each pasture at least once a week to a new water source and put out salt and minerals. At the same time we check the herd for their health. A sick or injured animal gets either treated right on the spot or we bring it back to the headquarters to keep it under watch.

If you like one or two horses in particular, you can keep them for the whole week and take care of them if you wish to do so. You may get your horse from the corral in the morning, groom and saddle it and spoil it with some treats. We will be more than happy to teach you all you need to know about taking care of your horse. Otherwise, our wranglers will have your horse waiting for you while you sip your last cup of coffee on the front porch after a wholesome ranch breakfast.

You can get involved in the ongoing ranch work as much or as little as you like- e.g. sorting, branding and doctoring cattle or even fixing fences if you like to get an hands on experience. Or just kick back and enjoy watching the wranglers do the work or stay home and relax on your front porch. It is your vacation and you do whatever you like to do as long as you enjoy yourself. If you like to learn more about cowboy skills, you can participate in roping and cutting practices with our wranglers. They will be happy to show you how to handle a rope and how to work cattle with your horse. You may arrive as a city slicker, but you'll have the chance to leave as a Cowboy or Cowgirl after a week of unlimited riding.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter horses and cross
Pace:		4-6 + hours in the saddle per day all gaits | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(1 to 4 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 12 riders

The riding program will invigorate riders of every ability. There are excellent horses for novice as well as experienced riders. Depending on your experience, we walk, trot, and canter across tens of thousands of acres - there is no nose to tail riding on the ranch. You will enjoy the companionship of a good horse, the variety of terrain, beautiful vistas, interesting geologic formations and abundant wildlife. Beginners will be made to feel comfortable on the most gentle of horses and we offer short rides as well as instructional rides and give you special attention on our regular rides.
Each pasture stretches over a couple thousand acres of rugged and diverse terrain, and we often have to back-ride pastures to find all the mavericks. Driving cattle from one pasture to another means long hours in the saddle and sometimes we even go for two days with an overnight cow camp. 
All pastures are watered by springs, creeks or lakes. To make sure that the pastures are grazed evenly, we also move the cattle within each pasture at least once a week to a new water source and put out salt and minerals. At the same time we check the herd for their health. A sick or injured animal gets either treated right on the spot or we bring it back to the headquarters to keep it under watch.

If you like one or two horses in particular, you can keep them for the whole week and take care of them if you wish to do so. You may get your horse from the corral in the morning, groom and saddle it and spoil it with some treats. We will be more than happy to teach you all you need to know about taking care of your horse. Otherwise, our wranglers will have your horse waiting for you while you sip your last cup of coffee on the front porch after a wholesome ranch breakfast.

You can get involved in the ongoing ranch work as much or as little as you like- e.g. sorting, branding and doctoring cattle or even fixing fences if you like to get an hands on experience. Or just kick back and enjoy watching the wranglers do the work or stay home and relax on your front porch. It is your vacation and you do whatever you like to do as long as you enjoy yourself. If you like to learn more about cowboy skills, you can participate in roping and cutting practices with our wranglers. They will be happy to show you how to handle a rope and how to work cattle with your horse. You may arrive as a city slicker, but you'll have the chance to leave as a Cowboy or Cowgirl after a week of unlimited riding.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.