If it's time to play cowboy on your next horse riding vacation, here's some ideas

Estancia Ranquilco | Photo courtesy of Top50 Ranches

If it’s your heart’s desire to play cowboy or cowgirl, then you might want to try it out before you quit your job and move to a horse ranch.

Top50 Ranches brings you several options to unleash your inner John Wayne at the riding destination of your choice.

Have fun!

Amy

Never heard of “Ranching First”? Top50 founder Jody Dahl took her first-hand experience of the true nitty-gritty of the ranching lifestyle and has introduced “ranching first” –those ranches that offer riding destination vacation opportunities by allowing guests a true immersion into the daily lives of generational ranchers and cowboys. So, if you’re looking to truly understand what it’s like to live the life of a real rancher or cowboy, you can now do this with Top50 Ranches.

Estancia Los Potreros | Photo courtesy of Top50 Ranches

Is your idea of a great Western riding holiday more “True Grit” than “City Slickers”? Do you dream of a truly authentic ranch vacation where you can totally immerse yourself in Western cowboy culture and experience life as true ranchers live it? Top50Ranches, specialists in Western ranch vacations, can help you find the perfect riding destination with their selection of Ranching First Western riding holidays.

“Ranching First represents through-and-through ranchers looking to share their lifestyle with everyday riders,” explains Top50’s founder Jody Dahl, herself a life-long rancher. “Ranching First offers non-ranchers the chance to truly embrace real Western culture–and enjoy a great vacation!”

Working ranches embracing Ranching First invite guests to be a part of all the day-to-day activities involved in running their ranch–so there’s little room for pampering or nose-to-tail riding here. What guests can expect, however, is complete submersion into true ranching culture and lifestyle. You’ll have every opportunity to get involved with real ranch work and riding–although in true Western style, there’ll also be plenty of time for relaxation should you choose. With no scripted activities, you simply take each day as it comes–essentially what real ranching culture is about!

Top50 has a great selection of Ranching First vacations from all over the world, for that truly authentic working ranch experience …

Head “down under” to New Zealand’s Beaumont High Culture Experience, where you’ll herd sheep and cattle in the high country and enjoy off-road, back-country horseback riding over diverse terrain. Stop off en-route for a hearty lunch and bottle of chilled New Zealand wine, and relax in the peaceful solitude amidst vastness of unspoiled tussock landscape.

If you’re looking to head stateside, satisfy your inner cowboy at Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch in Nebraska. Learn to work cattle, ride the range and experience life as a real cowboy before retiring to the cozy accommodations (and they don’t come more authentic than self-built cabins and hand-made bedding), with great food and unbeatable hospitality to boot.

If your inner John Wayne is just dying to be unleashed, head to Bonanza Creek in Montana for the ultimate Western riding experience, where you’re guaranteed to be treated like one of the family. Saddle up your responsive horse and prepare for challenging riding as you run some of the 1,500 head of cattle over this 25,000 acre ranch.

Those looking for an intimate ranch experience will love Chico Basin Ranch in Colorado, a large-scale working cattle ranch taking only a few guests each week. Whether it’s working cattle or fixing corrals, you’ll spend your days working side-by-side with the resident team of wranglers before sitting down at the dinner table alongside your mentors to carry on the authentic ranch experience.

Chico Basin’s sister ranch, Zapata–a working bison, cattle and guest ranch–is the rare treat to experience “Ranching First” with a taste of luxury. Zapata offers opportunities aplenty to work bison and cattle on horseback. Spend your days working side-by-side with its team of wranglers; then soothe those aching muscles in the hot tub, dine on gourmet cuisine and relax in the ranch’s luxury accommodations.

Runamuk Guest Ranch in Montana is a mecca for those wanting to work cattle like a true cowboy. With only six guests at any one time and no specified trails, riding over this 18,000-acre ranch is an intimate experience offering complete freedom. Ride with a purpose as you work herds of cattle, take sunset rides and picnic lunches, or simply relax and take in the beautiful scenery on this fifth-generation working ranch.

Top50Ranches.com founder and CEO Jody Dahl is on a personal mission to promote the spectacular ranching lifestyle to the travel community. Jody grew up on a ranch and currently owns a Montana guest ranch. She is passionate about showcasing authentic ranch and riding vacations and about delivering accurate information. Feedback from guests and research on hundreds of ranches led her to create Top50Ranches. To find your ideal ranch experience or further information, visit www.Top50Ranches.com