you are interested in a vacation with a flavor of the Old West...
Ranching and cattle go way back. Some of our member ranches have large herds while some have no cattle at all. There is also variety in the degree to which guests participate in the cattle operation. As you learn about our member ranches you'll encounter terms like cattle gathering, team penning, cattle drives, and cattle work. Don't hesitate to call a ranch and ask for a more detailed explanation of what they have to offer!
"Cattle gathering" is popular and available at a number of ranches. A typical cattle gather may involve a morning or afternoon ride out to a pasture where our bovine friends are doing what they do best - eating. You'll join with the ranch crew to gather them up and bring them back to the corral, often for team penning later in the day.
"Team penning" is a popular sport in the West. A group of riders selects one or more animals from a larger group, moves them across the arena, and negotiates them into a three-sided pen. Expect to have sore stomach muscles by the end of the afternoon from all the belly laughing you'll do as your bovine opponents prove that they are trickier than they look.
"Cattle drives" generally involve gathering cattle that are scattered across a pasture and delivering them to another pasture. Ranchers have a number of pastures and rotate their livestock in precise ways to preserve the health of their grasses and soils. Some ranches have cattle drives seasonally. In the spring they push cattle up into the mountains to graze on land leased from the federal government. In fall, drives gather cattle from those leases and return them to the ranch's deeded acreage. Every ranch will have a unique program that they will be happy to explain.
Finally, "cattle work" can have many meanings. On a working cattle ranch you'll help doctor sick animals, brand calves, and perform common chores like checking salt, water, and fences.
So if you love to ride but like cattle to remain part of the scenery, you'll be able to make that happen at a Colorado dude ranch. And if you want to get down and dirty, that is available too. Our search page will help you find ranches with cattle activities. Then its up to you to explore their descriptions and their web sites to learn the details.
All types enjoy our ranches
families, couples, singles, seniors, & youngsters
Colorado Dude Ranch Association
P.O. Box D Shawnee, CO 80475 970-641-4701