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The Box T Ranch in Colorado is a large working cattle
ranch that specializes in vacations that integrate guests into everyday
ranch activities; emphasizing learning about herding and raising cattle,
natural horsemanship, range management that improves the land, cowboy
traditions, and wildlife in its natural environment.
Because the ranch only host small numbers of guests (2 families or the
equivalent at a time), each guest enjoys a private, personal experience.
The Ranch is an ideal place to spend time as a family and create lasting
memories, as we do with our own families. We provide unique
opportunities for children to learn about and experience ranching and
the natural world as few kids are able to do. Special activities can be
arranged for children so that parents may have some time to themselves,
as well.
Working Ranch Experience
The Working Ranch Experience program is designed for those who want to
see a ranch's day-to-day workings from inside the border fences. Guests
can participate at whatever level they wish, or go off alone to watch
and explore the natural world. When you first arrive at the Ranch, we
review with you the ranch and horseback work for the week and plan your
stay based on your desires and how involved you want to be in daily
ranch activities. At this time we also plan other activities such as
bird watching, nature sketching, fossil hunting, or just leave time free
for you to experience the ranch on your own and fish, swim, canoe or
just relax. Guests stay in the guest
houses.
Cowboy Camp Events
The Box T Cowboy Camp will be
held April, July and September. If you are interested, we suggest making
reservations soon, as this is a popular event with only 15 spots
available.
 WRCO01
2007 Rates inclusive cabin accommodation, all meals,
unlimited riding
7 days/ 6 nights $1,495
Singles share cabin (with same gender)
Kids under 12 $1,190
Gratuities: 15% recommended
Dates:
Reg. ranch weeks: any week of the year
Advanced Ranch Weeks:
06/18-06/24 10/15-10/21
10/22-10/28
Airport: Colorado Springs
Transfer: $100 return for up to 4 people
Tack:
Western
Horses:
Quarter, Paints,
Appaloosa, Belgium
Level:
Regular weeks:
all levels
Advanced weeks: Intermediate+
Pace: all paces
We offer two Ranch Homes, which have enclosed porches, wood stoves, and
private yards. In the tree groves surrounding the homes, wildlife can be
seen grazing in the early morning and just before dusk. The Ranch Homes
can accommodate up to 18 guests, and include home cooked meals. A
continental breakfast is provided at the convenience of the guests in
their personal guest home: coffee, tea, fruit, cereal, bagels and juice.
Lunch is served with the cowboys, depending on the events of the day:
beneath the shade of a tree as cattle graze nearby, in the cool escape
of the Bar J H Camp, or taking a break around the dining table at
headquarters. A full dinner is enjoyed with various members of the staff
throughout the week. This provides the opportunity for guests to mold
into the lifestyle of the ranch and become part of the ranch family.
Dinner is generally served between 7:00 and 8:00 pm at headquarters, the
Ranch Homes, or the Hartley House with the ranch manager, Duke Phillips,
and his family.
After a thorough safety
and horsemanship orientation on your first morning, you will join the
cowboys early each day in their daily chores, which range from checking
and mending fences, moving cattle from one pasture to another, branding
and tagging calves, or checking grass conditions. Our cowboys will
select the right horse and tack that will be assigned to you for the
week. Through our holistic management of our little nitch in the high
plains, short grass prairie, you will understand and become part of how
the delicate balance of nature is sustained and how generations of
people have lived on this beautiful land making a living by working in
harmony with nature, animals and time honored practices.
During the early summer and fall, there are times
when we are managing herds of up to 1,200 head of cattle on horseback,
or branding over 500 head of calves in one day. These are special times
for us on the ranch, and times that require a higher level of
horsemanship, physical conditioning and herding knowledge.
We have reserved four weeks from this time of year only for advanced
riders or for returning guests who have achieved a horsemanship
competency level of 3 out of 5, you are eligible to participate in this
exciting opportunity for a large herding and branding event. This is not
for the novice! You will be riding from sun up to sun down gathering,
trailing, herding, cutting, roping, and branding. If you think you’re up
to the challenge, contact us for your special invitation.
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Day 1: Welcome! Check in at office after 2:00
p.m., get settled in guest house. Dinner on your
own.
Day 2: Horsemanship orientation; lunch at
headquarters; check fences on horseback. Dinner
with Bill’s family.
Day 2: Saddle up at 8:00, pack lunch on saddles,
herd Beefmaster cattle from May pasture to Carpenter
pasture; return by early evening. Dinner on your
own.
Day 3: Meet at headquarters to pack lunches; ride
in trucks to pull a windmill; return by early
afternoon. Swim, canoe, fish, or hike on your own
until dinner in your guest house with Dustin
hosting.
Day 4: Saddle up at 8:00, help neighbor gather
cattle, lunch at headquarters, fix fences. Dinner
on your own.
Day 5: Saddle up at 8:00 to move herd and doctor
cows. Dinner with Dave’s family.
Day 6: Saddle up at 8:00, pack lunches on saddles,
gather Black Baldy herd and cut out steers, move new
herd to new pasture. Return by early evening.
Barbeque in the Vega with the Phillips family.
Enjoy a roundtable discussion with staff of your
challenges and successes during the week.
Day 7: Breakfast on your own. Pack up and head out
by 10:00 a.m. Happy trails! |
