2025 Ranch Stays
We have chosen to go with a week-long schedule for guests weeks. You would arrive on day 1, ride days 2-6, and head back out on day 7. Save for a few exceptions, most weeks will run Sunday through Saturday.
Several of our weeks are “themed.” We will be hosting Buck Brannaman for two weeks of ranch clinics this June/July. We will also be bringing back our popular Women’s Weeks! We have a few options for Horsemanship Intensive Winter Sessions in Feb/Mar/Nov. We will have one Advanced Horsemanship Week this summer immediately following our Buck Weeks, and one in the fall.
Some NEW options for weeks will be our Stockmanship Week, Colt Starting Week and Health and Wellness Week.
Due to the nature of the market these days, we are not going to schedule any cattle gathering dates. If we have cattle to move or check in on a given week, then of course these options will be available to you! And when there are cattle on the ranch, we will have the option of working with them in some form (cattle games, sorting, weighing, etc). We are always moving to a more horsemanship-based schedule, as that is what we are passionate about. In essence, what we are wanting to provide you guys is the ability to refine Buck Brannaman horsemanship in a real ranch setting. McGinnis Meadows is the only place in the world, where you can learn all of the intricacies of Buck Brannaman horsemanship, from the arena, to the top of the mountains, with cattle, with the finest, safest horses, with teaching that will challenge you to higher levels of achievement than you previously thought possible. We know we are unique and we want to continue offering unique educational experiences.
Note about booking your reservation: Because our ranch is set apart from many in our strong emphasis to Buck Brannaman horsemanship in every aspect of riding—be in in the arena, on the trail, with cattle, etc, We are looking for riders who are dedicated to a learning mindset, who have the tenacity to work their minds as much as their bodies. For more information on the booking process please see below under FAQ’s.
Winter Horsemanship Series
February 23 – March 1, March 9-15, March 23-29, November 9-15 & November 23-29
These are a great weeks to dive into horsemanship and have lots of educational time in the arena! Be prepared to be immersed in horsemanship from the ground on up to the finest horsemanship details. This is great for beginner to advanced, as we will be peeling into layers of feel, timing and balance. We also spend time working on our cutting flag and roping too! We ask that all riders are comfortable posting the trot to attend these weeks.
Colt Starting Week – May 3-9
This is geared towards folks who have a young horse who has been started or needs to be, as well as anyone who wants a restart on a horse already being ridden. The goal is to work with each horse so that we get them to the same level of confidence and gentleness that we require before our first ride…this includes extensive groundwork with flags, ropes, tarps, work from the fence, and quite a bit of work with a saddle horse and other riders too, both loose and led. This puts the foundation in that all of our top guests horses have. Once your horse has “checked all of the boxes” we will get to putting on a few rides. This group is limited to 10 horses maximum.
Stockmanship Week – May 18-24, June 1-7, September 6-12
We are diving into the details of reading cattle and all of the different ways we work them on a ranch; from driving to sorting to cutting, even exploring how to move them step for step on foot! Stockmanship is an art form no different than horsemanship (which of course is included)! We hope that guests will really start to get the feel of “reading their cattle” in a way that gets them pretty handy whenever their cattle dreams take them off the ranch. Ride one of our horses or gain experience on your own! We ask that all riders are comfortable posting the trot and cantering independently to attend one of these weeks.
Women’s Weeks – August 3-9 & October 4-10
These 5-day stays will be for Women Only! McGinnis Meadows is a ranch that believes in giving women equal opportunity! If you have ever taken part in a “women’s only event”, then you know how much fun we have, and how empowering it can be. Here you’ll get to experience top-notch horsemanship led by women riders plus a ‘whole lot more! Riding, Lake Trips, WINE, Hiking, Painting, Team Games and More! All riding levels welcome this week.
Health & Wellness Week – August 17-23
The goal is to make each rider as balanced as possible while horseback. In order to do this, early on in the week, our physical therapist who specializes in equestrians will watch each person ride walk/trot/canter and determine which stretch or strength exercises are specific to your own balance on a horse. In addition to riding and horsemanship and working with maintaining yours and the horses balance through all lessons, we will have lots to do when not riding. Group stretches and walks/hikes, healthy meals, and discussions on diet, exercise, supplements, sleep—all matters of longevity and wellbeing. All riding levels welcome this week.
Buck Brannaman Horsemanship Weeks – June 22-28, June 29-July 5
These are our two weeks held every other year where Buck comes to teach at the ranch! Buck will teach 3 of the 5 days you are with us. He teaches Horsemanship 1 class in the morning and Cattle Work in the afternoon. The other two days you will get to ride with us. Guests are welcome to ride our horses or bring their own. All participants must have ridden with us or Buck before to attend and be commutable cantering their horse.
Advanced Horsemanship Weeks – July 6-12, October 19-25
These weeks are always popular for the avid rider wanting to deep dive into their horsemanship in the saddle. All of the riding will be taught by Shayne & Des in the arena to help you reach your riding goals in this style of horsemanship. There will be limited riding outdoors during these weeks, as they are more focused on the finer tuned aspects of riding. All riders must be able to post the trot and canter independently.
Regular Ranch Horsemanship Weeks – July 20-26, September 20-26
Horsemanship is available in our state-of-the-art indoor arena or outside on the mountain and meadow trails. There is always something to do in or out of the arena that brings horsemanship to life. We often incorporate obstacle challenges, poker rides, scavenger hunts, cavalry style riding, and much more to apply everything that is learned! All riding levels welcome these weeks.