Have a great day!

Kody Tesch

“Fabulous, Best Family Vacation — Ever! (& Special Needs-friendly, too)”

We just got back from our trip to Tarryall River Ranch and the whole drive home my husband kept saying to me “*thank you* for arranging this!” He is a man of very few words, but he was clearly as taken with Tarryall as I.

Every single person who works there, from the extended Tesch (owners) family to all the summer employees, is warm, welcoming, friendly. I don’t know how they do it, every single week new people coming in and within minutes making them feel like a member of the family. Seriously. Saying goodbye I felt myself choking up ….

“We” are my family of four: my husband and me, and our two children, 7 & 5. We are vegetarian and our 5 year-old has Exceptional Needs (developmental delays with some physical issues). When planning the trip, in my e-asking questions of Kevin (owner), he said everything “right,” everything to make me feel they wanted us there. “Of course we can accommodate vegetarians! A member of our staff is vegetarian.” Check! “Of course we can make it work for your child,” and Kevin rattled off a laundry list of what they would do to make it work for our child and our family. Check times two! And you know what? They did everything they promised and more. So much more.

Tarryall offers groups for children, grouped by age. Every morning they get to ride (if they want) and in the afternoons they offer arts & crafts, and they are darling, creative, appropriate and themed A&C (e.g., the kids decorated shoes from the horses they rode for the week; they made their own salt-dough brands; they painted / decorated t-shirts & bandanas to wear to the Rodeo; they went on a nature walk, identifying flora and tracks, etc.). The people who run these groups are just tremendous, tremendously enthusiastic, responsible, smart, creative, patient and interested. They are clearly interested in each child and what will make the best experience for each child. For our youngest, Tarryall provided a sidewalker (someone who walked alongside the horse, holding onto our child to ensure his stability) and a helmet. He loved it! For our eldest (our children were in different groups due to their ages), he was on a horse perfectly sized for him with a good temperament. He loved his morning adventures, riding with his group to explore the incredible gold mining history / astonishing rock & forest beauty surrounding the Ranch.

Read more…

Kody Tesch

Dude Ranch Vacation Packing Tips

Dude ranch vacation packing can be a nightmare! Unsure of what – and what not – to throw in your suitcase when packing for your horseback riding holiday? Whether you’ve signed up for an overnight pack trip, a backcountry riding adventure, a luxury ranch-and-spa break or anything in between, we’ve got your packing predicaments covered…

Because you can’t take the entire contents of your wardrobe, here are the main things to consider when packing for your dude ranch vacation…

Footwear
- Go for low-heeled boots or suitable cowboy boots, if you have them. If you opt for the latter, bear in mind these could get scruffy on a working ranch vacation or if you travel in rainy season, so leave them at home if you don’t want them to get dirty. Backcountry riding? Lynn Minty from Beaumont High Country Experience in New Zealand advises: “Normal riding boots without a tread are not suitable for walking on hills and tussock grasslands – go for leather tramping boots with a small heel or comfortable footwear suitable for walking on uneven terrain.” Don’t forget non-riding footwear too – sneakers and/or a pair of flip flops always come in handy, and pack ‘dress’ shoes if your chosen ranch has formal dining.

Riding clothes
- Jeans will become your new best friend on your ranch vaca! Pack a couple of pairs for riding – those without an inside leg-seam offer best comfort. For beginner riders or those not used to spending long hours in the saddle, padded underwear, like those designed for cycling, are often a wise option! For hot climates go for vest tops and light, long-sleeve shirts to protect you from the sun. For cooler climates or if it’s likely to rain, be sure to pack plenty of layers, long-sleeve tops, a scarf and a warm coat. Many ranches supply rain slickers, but check with them before you go.

Hat -
Most ranches recommend wearing a hard hat and some even provide them, but if you have your own then take it, to ensure the best fit. Otherwise a brimmed hat or baseball cap will protect your head and face from the sun. If you do go for a cowboy hat, make sure it fits – it’s not a good look to have your hat fly off your head every time you move into a lope, and fellow guests won’t be too impressed at having to stop every five minutes while you retrieve it from a bush!

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Great example of heels down and toes up!

All four of us Tesch boys have been riding horses since we were 4 years old.  We have had a lot of experiences in the saddle and learned a lot of lessons along the way.  Learning to keep our heels down and toes up while horseback riding has certainly been one of those lessons!  Since we have already been there and learned that lesson, we are happy to share this pointer with our guests enjoying a Colorado guest ranch vacation at TRR.  Not only are we happy to share this tip with our guests, but with you and anyone looking for a few helpful hints on horseback riding as well!  Hopefully through the sharing of this pointer, other horseback riders may avoid learning a lesson we have already gone through the pain of learning.

If a horseback rider doesn’t keep their heels down and toes up they become significantly less stable in the saddle.  This can result in many unwanted circumstances.  Horses, like people, tend to trip or stumble at times.  If a rider is unstable in the saddle and a horse stumbles and jerks a little bit, the rider could end up meeting the ground very quickly!  This is especially important when riding downhill, trotting or loping.  Sudden stops without a way for the rider to brace themselves can be an unpleasant situation.  A rider’s feet can make all the difference between a great horseback ride and a scary one!

The next time you strap those boots on and head out on a horseback ride or maybe go on your first ride, make sure to keep your heals down and toes up.  Your experience will be exponentially more fun and enjoyable!

Happy Trails!

Kody Tesch

Maybe it is the simplicity and joy of being outside in nature and taking in the incredible scenery that draws people to the West and cowboy lifestyle.  Maybe it is the thrilling activities that are a little out of the ordinary and give off a feeling of renewed energy, like chasing cows on horseback!  Maybe it is the people who genuinely care about others and are having just as much fun working the ranch as those on their dude ranch vacation!  Or, maybe it is simply seeing the joy on the faces of children at a dude ranch as they ride, pet, feed, and fall in love with their horse for the week.  I would say it is a combination of all these things.  A combination you can’t find on the beaches of Cabo or a boat carrying 5000 people.

There is fun and adventure on many vacations around the world, but there is nothing like the experience of a family dude ranch vacation.  These vacations are more than just fun and adventure.  They are filled with cherished memories and new friends!  I can’t wait for the season to begin!

Please comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

Happy Trails,

Kody Tesch

Have a great day!

Kody Tesch 

 Don’t ‘Have A Cow’ Trying to Pick The Perfect Vacation… Just Do a Colorado Dude Ranch!

There is nothing quite like the experience of herding cattle and riding the open range. Learn to maneuver animals ten times your size with ease, and since this cowboy tradition hasn’t changed much in the last 200 years, it’s easy to picture yourself riding in the early American West on a cattle drive.

In the evenings, the cowboy tradition carries on as many of our ranches entertain with a simple guitar and a few famous country songs being sung around the campfire. The night sky is clear and you can see a blanket of stars. No light pollution here! Aside from the hot tub or the swimming pool to relax in at the end of the day, you might easily forget that it’s the year 2012 and not 1912.

Our 29 Colorado Dude Ranches allow you to take a step back in time, yet still enjoy the modern luxuries you might find at home. The cabins or lodge rooms are spacious, comfortable, and adorned with a tasteful array of western décor. The meals are top notch and plentiful. And many of our ranches have extra amenities such as massages available upon request, whitewater rafting trips, trap shooting, fly fishing,kids/teens programs and much more.

So whether you are a ‘city slicker’ looking to try your hand with a little cattle ropin’ or maybe a family looking for a one of a kind vacation where the kids have just as much fun as the grown-ups, then THIS is the vacation for you.

Request a brochure with information on all 29 Colorado Dude Ranches today. Let us take you back to a simpler time where a good horse, good food, and your friends & family surrounding you were all it took to find that true sense of enjoyment and accomplishment of a day well spent.

Happy Trails,

Courtney Frazier

Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association

Association Coordinator

Click here to check out the smallest of the Tesch family having a blast with their new toy.  If you have ever wondered what dude ranch owners do in the “off” season, here is a perfect example.

2011 Summer Staff!

Our staff is a very essential piece of our guest ranch and the vacations we are able to offer our guests from around the world.  This is why our hiring process is very thorough and extensive.  We want only the most mature and professional men and women out on the trails with our guests, working with children in our programs, preparing food, cleaning cabins, and interacting with our guests in any capacity.  All this to ensure the best guest ranch vacation experience possible to everyone who passes through our gates!

As the 2012 NFL Draft goes into round two, remember us at Tarryall River Ranch and the staff we have prepared to offer guest ranch vacations-of-a-lifetime!

Summer is just around the corner!  Yeeha!

Kody Tesch

Giddy up!

Kody Tesch

BY KAREN SCHWARTZ

Crazy fun! Car push at the ranch over the 4th of July.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cowboys. Horses. Guns. And tennis?

When it comes to dude ranches, hosts are adopting John Wayne’s, “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do,” and are offering options unheard of just a few years ago in order to attract guests.

Dude ranches still have horses and wranglers, and an aura of the Old West. But today, many also offer extras like conference centers, spas, zip lines, paintball, ATV rides, naturalists, kids’ clubs and rock walls.

“Fifteen years ago you probably wouldn’t have found a swimming pool at a dude ranch, or very seldom. Now they all have swimming pools,” said Colleen Hodson, executive director of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, based in Cody, Wyo. “At least half — probably more like three-quarters — are adding new activities and amenities every year.”

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During times of loss of great people like Dick Clark, I remember how none of us are invincible.  We all have a limited time on earth to spend with our loved ones and make memories together.  One great way to spend that precious time with loved ones is on a Colorado dude ranch vacation.  Our family dude ranch is bursting with opportunities for fun, adventure and cherished memories in an extremely family-friendly and safe environment.  Parents are able to relax on the porch swing and enjoy the humming birds while children have a blast at the playground, petting zoo, or game room.  Children’s counselors are available for special kid’s rides, arena games, and ranch crafts.  Adult activities like Trap shooting, fly-fishing, team penning, trotting, loping, and hiking give adults a chance to escape reality and just have fun!  Adventure and relaxation abound!

Don’t wait to experience the vacation-of-a-lifetime on a Colorado dude ranch vacation with those you care about most.  Life is too short and the memories too precious.  So, come on out to unplug and enjoy!

Rest in peace Dick Clark!

Kody Tesch

The pictures in this blog exemplify exactly what I am talking about.  This past weekend Wyatt, Carson, and Harlie had a to chance to practice a little roping.  We rounded up some calves in the round pen that needed to have their ears tagged and then had the three oldest grandkids rope them for practice.  What a riot!  One of the best stories from the day involves Wyatt and the first calf roped.

Wyatt, being the oldest, was first up to rope a calf.  He had his rope ready, swung a great loop, and roped a calf on the very first try!  Wyatt was pretty proud of his accomplishment in the one or two seconds before the calf took off running around the round pen.  When that calf hit the end of the rope, it lifted Wyatt right off his feet and face first into the dirt!  The story doesn’t stop there however.  Wyatt was not going to give up on the calf he roped on the first try so he hung on as the calf drug him in a circle around the round pen.  Talk about fun and adventure on our family dude ranch.  This story pretty much takes the cake!!  Don’t worry though, Wyatt and the calf are both okay!  This story is just another example of why I always like to say: “It’s just another day at the ranch!”

Spectators: Danielle and Paisley

All of us at Tarryall River Ranch hope you are having a great week!  Please be sure to stop by our corner of the West this summer for fun, adventure, memories, scenery, fantastic horseback riding, delicious food, great fishing, and much much more!

Happy trails,

Kody Tesch

“I am a 60 year old woman who used to ride. I rode from when I was 10 til about 35, when raising children and going to school took precedence. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease as well as both osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in my hips and lower spine. As soon as we were able to get all my meds stabilized, one of my docs suggested I get back on a horse. Vanity and fear took over. What if I couldn’t ride anymore? What if it hurt and what if it caused injury? The doc said you already have PD, what’s it going to do? I waited a couple of years and then found Tarryall.

Now I ride every week. Any sense of power that I lost due to illness and fear I have gained back twofold. I cannot suggest a better form of therapy for those needed.  Also, although there are many stables closer to where I live, Kevin makes me feel comfortable and not disabled. It has been a joy to be there and I hope I can continue during the summer, maybe even exercising those horses that don’t get enough.  Thank you everyone at Tarryall for all your help and confidence in me!”

I would like to say thank you to Shelley for her courage and for sharing her story with us!  What an inspiration!