Read more]]> The Rusty Spurr Ranch, which vistors come to know and love, is a family owned business. You might be wondering what that means for you as a customer. At our family owned business, we have a level of commitment to our ranch and customers which is rarely found in corporate businesses. We have a deep respect for all our animals and take care of them with love, since they are a part of our family as well. Because we are a small group that works together and supports each other in all the daily ranch activities and duties, we find a genuine comraderie amongst the staff and owners. We often have closer relationships with the people who come to the ranch because we treat them like family. Any guest that visits us for horseback riding or one of our other attractions such as the popular Saddle and Paddle activity or the group team building Cattle Drives, will feel the friendly and welcoming atmosphere the moment they drive into the ranch. The effort and care we put into our daily work can be seen by all the people who come to Rusty Spurr Ranch when they ride our happy horses and meet our friendly ranch staff. We enjoy reading the reviews and testimonials as they show us that you appreciate the genuine western atmosphere as well as a level of professionalism exhibited by everyone who works here. We would love for you to visit us when you are in Colorado or near Breckenridge to ride our horses on the wide open trails and meet the whole crew at the Rusty Spurr Ranch.

Read more]]> The mountains of Colorado showcase the appeal of the state with the open skies and limitless greenery, as well as the fascinating wildlife that makes a common appearance wherever you might live in the mountains. If you are considering moving to the mountains, there are a few specific factors you have to take into consideration. First, consider the extreme weather of high altitude living. There is less oxygen in the air up here so those with respiratory illnesses or difficulty breathing might find that they do not thrive. Our summers are dry and have mild temperatures so it's never too hot to play outside. However winter at elevation can test even the most avid of outdoorsmen. Expect much more snowfall, colder temperatures, and a longer winter in general than lower elevation areas. Another thing to take into consideration is the distance from amenities such as the store or activity centers. Many mountain communities will not have the stores or cultural centers that urban areas have and those stores that are available can be over an hours drive away. Depending on where you might want to live, the cost of mountain property can vary greatly. Near the ski resorts, expect to pay a very high premium on real estate. In the more rural areas, you can still find somewhat affordable property if you're willing to live remotely. Despite these factors, the mountains of Colorado are truly a natural paradise from the forested slopes to deserted peaks where plants and animals roam freely across the less populated areas. The guaranteed privacy and unbeatable views of the landscape and the night sky make it a dream come true for anyone looking for peaceful and relaxed living. However it's not just relaxing as Colorado has endless outdoor activities like horseback riding and rafting for when you want to get out of the house and have some fun. The charm of the mountains makes you feel like you are on a permanent vacation, as there is a feeling of comfort that you just can't find in the city or in the suburbs. The freshness of waking up to the crisp morning air and sounds of nature is rivaled only by the new discoveries you can make everyday.]]> http://www.rustyspurranch.com/news/article/-colorado-cattle-drive http://www.rustyspurranch.com/news/article/-colorado-cattle-drive#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:41:00 -0700 Rusty Spurr http://www.rustyspurranch.com/news/article/-colorado-cattle-drive Here at Rusty Spurr Ranch, we offer a variety of activities that truly include the best horseback riding opportunity in all of Colorado. One of our most popular activities is the cattle drive. Now you might be wondering what a cattle drive is so let us explain this historically important and fun act...

Read more]]> Here at Rusty Spurr Ranch, we offer a variety of activities that truly include the best horseback riding opportunity in all of Colorado. One of our most popular activities is the cattle drive. Now you might be wondering what a cattle drive is so let us explain this historically important and fun activity a little bit more. A cattle drive is when cowboys and cowgirls rode horses in order to herd their cattle from one place to another. You might be thinking, “What's the point?” But cattle drives have a rich and interesting history. The first cattle drives started in the 19th and early 20th century in the American West. These cattle drives were a major economic activity that took place when cattle ranchers wanted to sell their cattle in the East and North. Some of these cattle drives took place for three to five months, depending on the distance they needed to travel and any delays they experienced on their path. Thankfully our cattle drives aren't that long, and typically last about three and a half to four hours. We pasture the cattle on over 10,000 acres and we need to rotate pastures and check cattle often for environmental and herd health. This activity allows you to take part in actually moving the cattle with us. This special form of horseback riding allows each of the members in the group to ride at their own ability levels. Considering this, we prefer for the people participating to have some prior horseback riding experience. Food is provided upon your return at one of our local restaurants as dine-in or carryout.  Rusty Spurr Ranch is one of the few stables in the West that offer authentic cattle drives that are open to the public, and we encourage you to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Horseback trail riding is a fun adventure, and to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the ride, there are certain expectations that should be followed. The riders themselves are expected to keep at least a horse length apart from the rider in front of you or to the side in case of sudden mov...

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Horseback trail riding is a fun adventure, and to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the ride, there are certain expectations that should be followed. The riders themselves are expected to keep at least a horse length apart from the rider in front of you or to the side in case of sudden movements from the horse near you or in case your horse gets spooked. Everyone in the group should try to stay within sight of each other to ensure safety of all riders. If your equipment needs to be altered, do not stay silent, as it could cause future accidents. Instead, alert the lead rider and move to the side and out of the way of the rest of the group. As a rule for the rest of the riders, if someone in your group needs assistance, leave enough room for the lead rider to get near them so they can assist your fellow horseback rider. Another important aspect of safe riding is making sure you have control of your horse at all times. Have a firm grip on your reins so that they don't slip out of your hand (but do not pull on the reins unless you need to slow down or stop) and manage your horse's actions with patience, consistency and leadership. Your horse is looking to you to be the "driver" so never take your mind off your mount; otherwise the horse has to take charge as the driver and this is mistaken many times for a stubborn or misbehaved horse. It's often not the horse's fault but the rider who is not paying attention and not guiding the horse. This is what really makes a difference in your horse riding experience. Also. never take off at a gallop without alerting the other riders. Horses want to stay together and if one horse runs, they all will out of herd instincts. All these regulations will help to make your riding experience smoother and safer for everyone. Here at Rusty Spurr Ranch, we want you to be able to have an amazing experience but we also want you to be safe. We hope that you can put what you've learned into use when you visit our very own Rusty Spurr Ranch. 

Read more]]> The cowboy is a symbol of the American West culture and dates back more than two centuries. The traditional cowboy that we are familiar with today arose in the nineteenth century. Cowboys were important historical figures during the era of westward expansion in the United States. The origin of the cowboy tradition came from Spain, linking all the way back to the hacienda system in medieval times. This became a well known style of cattle ranching which spread throughout much of the Iberian peninsula and was later imported to the Americas. Although cowboys originated in Spain, American cowboys created their own reputation and style. Their iconic lifestyle has been glamorized but in reality it can be grueling work that is not for the faint of heart. By the beginning of the 1700s, ranching made its way to what is now Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and as far south as Argentina.

When California missions started in 1769, the livestock practices were more integrated into western areas. By the late 1800s the iconic symbols of hats, bandanas, spurs, lassos, stirrups, and lariats were widespread ideas of what the cowboy culture looked like. Today, real cowboy culture means living the ranching lifestyle. There are still many places where the cowboy culture is alive today and one of them is here in Colorado. Our state is known for it's beautiful mountains as well as it's ranches; we are the tenth-largest cattle producing state in the nation with almost 3 million head of cattle. Therefore, we have strong memories and connections with the cowboy lifestyle. We here at Rusty Spurr Ranch keep the cowboy culture alive and make the experience as genuine as possible for everyone that rides with us.

Read more]]> If you or a loved one has been to the Rusty Spurr Ranch and fell in love with horseback riding, you’re not the only one! In case a trip to Summit and Grand Counties Colorado is too long of a trip for you, or you want your very own horse, this blog is dedicated to you. We are going to review the pricing and costs of buying and owning a horse. The initial cost of a horse can be anywhere from free to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The cost of a horse really depends on the breed, level of training, and the area of the country you live in. The first thing you need to know about buying a horse is that the initial price of the horse is usually much more affordable than the caretaking of the horse. For example, besides the initial cost, you have to pay for feed, stabling, healthcare, and equipment. You might be thinking, “How could the feed possibly cost that much? They just eat grass right?” but most adult horses eat at the very least 1.5-2.5% of their body mass, and the cost of hay and concentrated feed add up. That's around 25 pounds of hay/day plus supplements which can easily add up to over $25 a day or more depending on the size and nutritional needs of a particular horse.

Read more]]> What you decide to wear horseback riding can make or break whether you have fun or not. It's hard to enjoy the ride and the view when you are too busy trying to fix your clothes or thinking about how uncomfortable you are. The most important thing to wear is long pants. This is the most important item because your legs rub against the saddle while riding, so if you're wearing shorts or a skirt it will be VERY uncomfortable. We also recommend wearing layers so that you can maintain a comfortable body temperature when you are riding. During our riding season, it can get fairly hot and cold here in Colorado, so being able to adapt to the weather is important. Wearing sneakers or cowboy boots is strongly recommended. Good shoes and boots help protect your feet if they get stepped on as well as help prevent your feet from sliding through the stirrups if you fall off the horse while riding. Some of the things you should bring with you should include a water bottle, sunblock, and bug spray. We provide saddle bags on every saddle to carry essential items on the ride. It can get pretty hot on the rides and bringing water makes sure that you stay hydrated; similarly the sun block is a necessity to prevent you from sunburn. The bug spray is more important during our early season to help those sensitive to bug bites when riding in areas that mosquitoes can occur. Now you can put your newfound knowledge to good use when you come horsebacking riding at Rusty Spurr Ranch!

Read more]]> There are many types of trail riding horses but we have decided to showcase the four most common and most reliable horse breeds. Despite the common belief that all horses can be used in horseback and trail riding, these types are proven to be exceptional trail companions time and time again. Although as a disclaimer, any horse can be ridden on the trails as long as proper training and the right mindset are prevalent. The first of the breeds is the Quarter Horse. These types of horses are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They have powerful hindquarters and well-muscled bodies, in addition to this their steady and calm temperaments are a large part in what makes them such highly praised trail horses.  Next is this the Tennessee Walking Horse. One of the species' distinct features is their unique gait, unlike the common beat pace, this breed has a four-beat running-walk. If you don’t like the bumpy ride that is usually a side effect of horseback riding, then this is the horse for you as their movements don’t bounce and are a dream to ride. They are refined and elegant yet have stocky build. When riding them, be prepared to be quicker than the rest of the group! The next most common is not really a breed but a mix: the heavier draft cross horse. This is a horse that is bigger boned to carry more weight on the trail. As a general rule, horses should not carry more than 20% of their own body weight in order to stay healthy. The draft crosses provide an opportunity for guests to ride that otherwise could not be accomodated on standard sized horses. They typically have a calm and gentle demeanor which contradicts their large size. The last but certainly not least breed of trail-riding horses is the Morgan. They are a compact and refined breed and definitely deserve their place on the list. They have gentle temperaments and gentle paces. You don’t need a specific horse for trail riding, the most important thing is the honest bond between your horse and you.

Read more]]> We just wanted to say how thankful we are for all of your glowing reviews. Our horseback riding ranch means so much to us and we are thrilled we could share it with you all. The experiences we provide here are made to last a lifetime and we are so glad that our ranch went above and beyond your expectations. The Rusty Spurr Ranch began in 2001 when we had the idea to deliver the most unique and authentic horseback riding experience in the Rocky Mountains. We are thankful for all the companies that support and promote us and our business. When you write positive reviews or compliment our ranch, you are helping to spread our message of adventure, exploration, and fun. Our five star rating on Yelp and TripAdvisor is fantastic and we read all the wonderful reviews our guests post. We are especially grateful to the Visit Grand County website, as they spread the word about our little horseback riding community. We recommend checking out their website for events, activities, trip-planning, and more! The link to the Visit Grand County website will be below the article. We are so very grateful for all the support given to us by our returning regulars at Rusty Spurr Ranch and want to give a special shoutout to them. We thank everyone so much for their support and love as we continue to share the Rusty Spurr Ranch experience with our guests new and old.

Read more]]> We love all our cowgirls and cowboys who dream of going horseback riding. For Stefanie Jones, her fantasy of being a real life cowgirl came true. Upon arriving at our very own Rusty Spurr Ranch she expresses her excitement at all the horses and how it looked like a movie scene. Whenever anyone comes to our ranch to experience the enjoyment of horseback riding, we hope they react with the pure joy that Stefanie Jones did. We welcome anyone and everyone to participate in this all-around fun activity. Even if horseback riding isn’t for you, we like to think that our gentle horses and friendly staff will make your time at our ranch delightful. One activity that we highly recommend is a cattle drive. Stefanie participated in one of our cattle drives and she gave a glowing review. The cattle drives work by applying pressure to the herd wherever you are. Since cows always move away from pressure, the cows can be maneuvered to where you want them to go. After pushing the cows to the final destination, a fenced open field, you can admire the stunning scenery that surrounds and is intertwined in all our cattle drives and trekking. Stefenie noticed this and commented that the aspen trees, mountain range, and blue skies were, in her words, “just incredible.” Her opinion of our ranch and family is very important to us, as is the opinion of all our amazing patrons. It warmed our hearts when she stated that she would come to our ranch again and again and again. We loved Stefanie Jones’ Daily Blast LIVE and hope to see you all at the Rusty Spurr Ranch!

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