Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
USA / MONTANA : RIDING HOLIDAYS IN A REAL WORKING RANCH IN MONTANA - PRYOR MOUNTAINS...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
An isolated ranch situated in the green valleys of Montana, near the Wyoming
border. A place out of time where cow-boys still live following the paces of their horse and according to the rythm of seasons.. Here there is no swmming pool, no tennis court, no TV.. It is the appropriate destination if you are looking for a way of life close to the nature. Almost nothing has changed since the pioneers' time, thanks to the isolation of the ranch. Only a 4x4 car can drive you to this land where the horses are kings. You will learn how to mark the cattle, how to vaccinate them, to catch them with a lasso, to lead the herd and to wean the calves.. An even more magical experience if you share them with your children! (older then 12) |
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SPECIAL OFFERS ON ALL DEPARTURE DATES - see our rates below
ITINERARY
SAMPLE OF PROGRAM
Day 1 - Sunday : Billing - Ranch
Meeting point at 04:00 pm at Billings airport. Transfer to the Schively
ranch by 4x4. Dinner and night at the ranch.
Day 2 to 6 - From Monday to Friday : Stay at Ranch
Journey at the ranch ( as described below ). Return to Billings
on Saturday at 18:00. Night at a hotel in Billings.
Day 7 - Saturday : Ranch - Billings
Last day at ranch and drop back to Billings for your last night
in a hotel in Billings.
Day 8 - Sunday : Billings
End of your trip after breakfast.
YOUR STAY AT THE RANCH
Our ranch is a real cattle breeding working ranch, located in the Pryor
Mountains, at approximately 80 km from Billings in Montana, near the Wyoming
border.
It is one of the most important breeding ranchs in the USA (20 000 acres,
1200 cows every year and 150 horses), situated in a very isolated region.
To go there we need to leave the tared roads, to go up a canyon, cross
several prairies before passing a hill behind which we will find the
ranch.
Every morning at 7:00, during the copious breakfast, the tasks
of the day will be planned: marking, vaccination, gathering of the
herds for a change of pasture, distribution of salt in the prairies,
weaning the calves and foals... You can contribute to all of these
operations as a member of the ranch's life.
Most of the time you will be asked to go more or less far out into
the land of the ranch in order to look out for strayed cows and
lead them back to their pasture or to gather a herd a drive it to
new grazing land. This way you get a real experience of the cowboys'
job, above all when the cows decide not to do what you want.
One of the climax' during the week is the initiation to "team
sorting" (depending on the weather conditions and time schedule).
This is a game which consists in a team of three riders who has
to move the cows one by one from one side of the corral to the other
in a precise order and avoiding that they return to the point of
departure. This game is very funny and it is a great opportunity
for you to experience the difficulties that the cow-boys can encounter
in their every day work.
Moroever, before breakfast a small group of riders can be selected
to wrangle the horses needed for the day from the prairie to the
corral.
Usually the rodeo season starts beginning of June in the region
and sometimes the Bassett family decides to participate. It will
be an occcasion to share great moments with the family.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you require any information.
You can combine some departure dates with a week of "cattle drive".
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EXTEND YOUR TRIP
- Tour in car rental + hotel in Great National Parks : Consult us.
- You can also combine a weekly stay at the ranch with a week of cattle drive. Please consult the dates below.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
They are quarter horses born and bred at the ranch and trained for the cattle work.
You will choose yours among 70 geldings, the others horses being dedicated to reproduction : 4 stallions reign over a herd of about 40 mares. Every spring and all summer long you can look out for the foals!
Tack
Western saddles
Required riding level
Whatever your riding level is, there will be a horse to match your skills.
YOUR GUIDES
You will be supervised by professsional cow-boys, who spend their lives on horses, and take care of the ranch's herd, one of the biggest in the USA (more than 1200 animals!).
They will initiate you in the western way of riding, in cattle care and how to lead a herd in the vast plains.
ACCOMMODATION
Although very rustic, there is yet a touch of modern comfort : shared bathrooms and showers, electricity and a living room where we meet to discuss, read or watch a western movie!
The ranch consists of the main house as well as different outbuildings, all equipped with sleeping rooms and providing an amazing view on the Pryor Mountains.
Two or three rooms generally share a bathroom.
In 2009 or at the end of 2008 summer, new cabins will be available. This cabins will be more comfortable as they will have their own private bathroom.
After the meals, everybody will be asked to help washing the dishes. This is part of the cow-boys' traditions so as to have a good atmosphere among the group of riders.
As the ranch is situated in Indian reservation, alcohol is prohibited. So you won't have any wine or beer at the ranch.
DATES AND RATES
| Equestrian stay at ranch - Montana 2008 | ||
| August 10 to 17 |
available |
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| August 24 to 31 |
available |
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| September 07 to 14 |
available |
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| September 14 to 21 |
available |
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| September 21 to 28 |
available |
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| September 28 to October 04 |
available |
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| October 05 to 12 |
available |
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| October 12 to 19 |
available |
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| Combination : Stay at ranch and "cattle drive" - Montana 2008 | ||
| August 10 to 24 |
fully booked |
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| August 17 to 31 |
fully booked |
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Look at our Cattle Drive / Horse Drive program
RATE INCLUDING
- Horse riding as much as you like,
- Participation to the ranch 's activities,
- The last night in a 3* hotel including breakfasts,
- Transfers from Billings and return to the indicated schedules,
- The financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- Any other services,
- Drinks (alcohol prohibited)
- Meals in Billing,
- Tips,
- Personnal expenses,
- The extensions (visit of other regions, car tour in the Great National Parks, Visit of New York..)whenever they are organised before or after your trail ( consult us).
- Optional insurances - more information
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Anne, the specialist for this destination !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
USA (Montana)
LENGTH
LANGUAGE
English.
GROUP SIZE
ACCESS
CLIMATE
In summer, days at the ranch can be very hot but cool at night, but on the high pastures of the Pryor Mountains it can be fresh even at that period.
Warning : Pryor Mountains' region is very dry. Sun cream and lip sticks as well as a scarf to protect yourself from the dust and a bottle of water should always be in your saddle bags.
Formalities
Check with your local embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning
your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
REFERENCE :CH43-Montana-south-ranchstay
