The first official day of spring is here! Although, it has already felt like spring for the past few weeks, as we have had some beautiful days here at Red Horse Mountain Ranch in beautiful North Idaho.  June 2nd is our first week of guests, and its time to start getting excited.  While winter may still throw us a few curve balls, several days of sunshine, mild weather, and greening pastures can make it easy to put that thought aside!

With that, we can also look back on winter and realize that time flies! When the last of our guests and seasonal staff leave in the fall and the season comes to an end, the show must go on for our full-time staff.  Our herd of 80+ horses has spent the winter at our challenge course pasture, adjacent to the entrance gate of the ranch, and this means a daily trip up the mile drive to feed and walk the herd.

Every day, rain-sleet-hail-snow, our winter wranglers drive the tractor up with two large bales to feed the herd.  For those lucky ones who have visited the ranch, they have traveled our steep drive that leads down into our beautiful valley and can imagine what it is like with a winter snow cover; it can be quite the trek!  Thinking about those cold winter days makes us appreciate spring and summer at the ranch that much more, and of course it means we can start getting excited for our guests to arrive!  Thanks for reading and Happy Spring!

Here at Red Horse Mountain Dude Ranch our staff members get to enjoy the amazing landscape of northern Idaho.  We work hard, but we also have a blast and enjoy our oudoor activities right along with our guests.  Our staff members are diverse, talented, and experienced; and come from all over the country; but also from right here in Harrison and Coeur d’ Alene.  Whether you have worked a seasonal position, or a full-time position at a seasonal establishment, then you may know that the staff becomes a family, and there are great opportunities for new friendships and the fulfilling work opportunities that come with a dude ranch. 

Jeannie and Andrea

When you have a herd of 80+ horses, vet checks are extremely important!   Vetting each individual horse is crucial, especially with a busy summer season approaching, as a healthy horse means a happy horse; and of course a content horse means happy guests and staff members! You may wonder, what are some key aspects that you look for when checking the health of 80 horses?

Jody, Dr. Walker, Lauren, and Toni, Doc’s vet technician

Teeth! If you aren’t well acquainted with horse biology, then you might not know that just like humans, teeth are extremely important to the health of a horse, and their teeth need maintaining much like a human needs a dentist.  A horse’s front teeth cut their food, mainly grass or hay, while their molars do the grinding, this should sound familiar, except for the whole eating grass and hay bit.

Rob and Magic

 This being the case, the teeth of a horse must be aligned well in order to properly digest their food.  Here at Red Horse we feed our herd roughly a 70/30 mix of grass/alfalfa, generally a mild feed that allows them to get the nutrients they need.  When a horse has trouble digesting their hay because of teeth alignment issues, this can lead to health problems such as colic, which can be potentially fatal to a horse. For this reason we keep a close eye on their health on a regular basis, and this also makes our extensive annual vet checks that much more important.

Jim and Fancy

 If a horses teeth arent aligned and they are having health issues as a result, their teeth need to be ‘floated’, which basically means smoothing out their teeth with a file. While a horse will have its set of adult teeth by age 5,  the growth of their teeth is continuous, which generally causes the alignment issues. Any signs of abnormal eating behavior or discomfort are good indicators that they need some attention! Here at Red Horse we consistently check each individual horse for mouth issues and float their teeth as needed.  Preventing health problems keeps our horses happy!

Dr. Walker, Matt, and Tonka

It is always so enjoyable to see the awe on our guest’s faces when they arrive here at the ranch, and this expression is seen from their first day, to their last day with us.  Many times our guests have commented that when they imagined Idaho, they certainly underestimated its’ beauty.  If you have the chance to visit us here at Red Horse and are planning on making a road trip of your vacation, see below for some great travel ideas to make the most out of your journey to Red Horse Mountain!

View of the Coeur d’Alene National Forest near Red Horse Mountain

#1:  Lake Coeur d’ Alene:  49.81 square miles of beautiful blue water surrounded by green mountains, Lake CDA supports endless activities and wildlife viewing.  Boating, jetskiing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, scenic hikes, and some of the best fishing in the region; these are just a few of the attractions on Lake Coeur d’Alene.  While many of these activities are also offered through our all-inclusive ranch vacations, if you have a few extra days its a great place to spend some time!

Lake Coeur d’Alene

#2: Lake Pend Oreille, Farragut State Park:  Spend an entire day or a few hours at Farragut State Park, on the shores of the 5th deepest lake in the United States!  Farragut State Park is just 18 miles from I-90, and it is a great place to take the kids for a swim or a hike on your way to Red Horse Mountain.  Kayaking is also popular on Lake Pend Oreille, as this is a great way to take in the breathtaking scenery while getting a bit of exercise!

View from the top of Schweitzer Mountain

#3: Sand Point, ID: Check out this picturesque ski resort town, eat at a great restaurant on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, or do a little shopping with your extra travel time.  Sandpoint sits just a couple of hours north of Red Horse Mountain and just an hour north of Coeur d’Alene.

#4:  Schweitzer Mountain Resort:  Although this is a top rated resort for winter skiing and snowboarding, it is also a great place to visit in the summer. The Schweitzer Village is a great place to stop for a bite to eat or shop, but  you can also take the ski lift to the top of the mountain and go for a short hike or simply enjoy the amazing view!

Schweitzer Mountain looking down at Lake Pend Oreille

#5 Glacier National Park: If you are travelling by car from the Midwest or eastern United States, Glacier National Park is just over 5 hours to the northeast of Red Horse Mountain Ranch.  Experience one of the most beautiful parks in the U.S.; you may even get to see bears, mountain goats, moose, and a number of other magnificent animals that make their home in the region.  If you are allowed the extra travel time on your vacation, this is definitely worth the drive!

#6 Leavenworth, WA:  Driving to Red Horse Mountain Ranch from Seattle? Stop at this quaint Bavarian style town at the base of the Cascades.  There are a number of activities to choose from: Shopping, fine dining, wine tasting, summer festivals, and almost any outdoor adventure you can think of from hiking to river rafting!

#7 Silver Valley, ID:  Silver Valley is composed of about a 40 mile span along I-90, and if you are traveling this route there are a bunch of worthwhile stops to fill a few hours of your travel time! Check out an underground mine tour or one of the many interesting museums; as well Silver Mountain Resort, which offers a number of outdoor activities, shopping, and dining.  Whether you have a few hours or an extra day or two on your way to Red Horse Mountain, Silver Valley offers several historically worthy destinations with the spirit of the West!

Wallace, Silver Valley, photo courtesy: Karin Leperi

#8: Columbia River Valley Gorge: Another great route to Red Horse if you are heading here from Oregon, California, or even the Seattle area.  The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area is a hot-spot for salmon fishing, and has been inhabited for nearly 13,000 years.  Carving its way through the beautiful Cascades, this route comprises amazing mountain scenery, from temperate rainforest to grassland; as well as the abundant wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.  If you are looking for a longer, more scenic route on your way east to Red Horse, you wont be disappointed with the Columbia River Valley.

http://www.aglsp.org/excursion-conference-2012, Columbia River Valley Gorge

#9 Yellowstone National Park:  Established in 1872 and perhaps the most famous of national parks, Yellowstone exhibits the beautiful wilderness and geology of the northwest.  Mainly located in Wyoming, but also extending into Montana and Idaho, this is a great and popular detour for those Red Horse guests making the road trip out to the ranch from almost anywhere in eastern half of the United States.

Thanks for checking out the Ranch News, and hopefully this was another helpful post for those opting to make the most of their trip to Red Horse Mountain!

Here at Red Horse it is a joy to see this, as many of our guests, new and returning, spend the week strengthening bonds, friendships, and relationships.  This can be hard to do to in day-to day life, especially if your loved ones live a distance away.  One of the greatest things about our ranch is that there is something great for all ages, so parents, grandparents, young adults, teenagers, and children always end the week not wanting to leave.  It is a great place to take a grandchild, niece, or nephew, or for a father-son/mother-daughter trip (and vis versa of course). Anyways, it is quite possible that the word ‘bored’ has never been spoken on the ranch no matter the age group!

All meals are eaten family style in our rustic dining room, and this is one of the many wonderful aspects of a ranch that people take home with them, especially for those who may not have the chance to do this with their daily schedules.  It seems as though sitting down for a meal as a family can be a rarity at times! Although it may seem simple, we value this part of a dude ranch a great deal (and the food!), as it creates such a common place for people to catch up with relatives or friends, and for our guests to become closer as well.

Thanks for reading!  Here are a few reasons from TripAdvisor as to why people enjoyed their multi-generational vacations:

“I cannot think of enough superlatives to describe our experience. My daughter (a teenager, mind you) still refers to this as her best vacation ever. Horseback riding, skeet shooting, mountain biking, and archery, topped off with fantastic food and amazing staff. From the time we got picked up at the airport, to the cook to each of the ranch hands, we were treated with respect, kindness and just the right amount of familiarity.” Guest, 2012, LA

“We traveled with my in-laws and our three daughters. AGES 13, 10 & 7. Let me start off by saying we have been VERY blessed in our travels over the years. We have been EVERYWHERE from Hawaii-to Europe, The Caribbean to California, Beach vacations and Mountain trips. This was the ONLY place that entertained an entire family.” Jim Breuer, guest 2012

“The best part of all these activities is that we participated together in more than half of them.  At breakfast, lunch and dinner, we sat together every single day.  Families become that much closer when they all sit down at mealtime.  This is something we hardly ever do nowadays.” – Former Governor of Puerto Rico, who spent the week here with his sons and teenage grandsons. 

Sarah and Hawk, photo taken by Ramona Swift

Sarah has been here at Red Horse Mountain Ranch for several years as a seasonal and year-round wrangler, and she has a unique bond with horses.  When guests come to the ranch and head out on trail rides, they expect knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, and that’s what they’ll get with our wranglers!  Sarah has a great way of sharing her horse knowledge, and this not only spurs fun and great conversations, but it also makes a few horse-shy guests feel at ease.  She has been working with horses for over 11 years, and her career began at age 16 by learning pole bending, relay racing, and barrel racing; she also spent time as a horsemanship instructor and trail guide.

A couple of years later, Sarah got her personal horse, Hawk, and the two have been bonding ever since.  Shortly after her newfound friendship with Hawk began, she continued trail guiding in Stehekin, WA, before finding her way to beautiful northern Idaho, to apprentice with Kathi (she and her son Danny are the RHM farriers); and now we are lucky to have her as a wrangler! Sarah not only guides trail rides, but she teaches arena lessons, and guides many other activities such as hiking, kayaking, and challenge course.

What are some of the things you have learned from your experience regarding horsemanship?

An important point in learning natural horsemanship for me was when I realized how it changed the way I think when interacting with a horse. There is no right or wrong way. I just love how it refocuses my intent. For example, instead of trying to “make” the horse do something, I like to think of creative and fun ways to get the horse to “want” to do something, such as crossing a creek.  Also, I find it a lot less stressful to think of giving a shot or paste wormer as doing these things “for” the horse rather than “to” the horse, and by helping them get comfortable with me by gently poking their neck, or having my fingers in their mouth first. Horses can sense your intention while your approaching them.  Hawk and I learn a lot from trial and error, but mostly from just spending ALL my free time with him.  I trailer him to every job I go to, and if the job doesn’t allow my horse, I wont take it. 

Photo courtesy of Ramona Swift

What is your favorite part about working at Red Horse Mountain Ranch?

My favorite part of Red Horse is the variety of activities. Working at the ranch has seriously brought me out of my shell. Horses used to be the ONLY thing I did. Challenge Course, I believe, comes second to the horses. That is something I never thought I could do before Red Horse. It’s so fun to see people come around and get past their fear the same way I did when I began learning “the ropes”, and to see them beaming with joy afterwards! Time flies when I get to be up there because I enjoy it!

What advice would you give to a first-time ranch goer, or a guest that hasn’t had much horse experience?

My advice to someone just getting into horses, or who is riding for the first time, would be don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you aren’t sure of something whether it’s about riding or horse behavior, ask. You should be comfortable and relaxed. Any horse that is allowed to carry a beginner rider should be quite capable of taking pretty good care of that person. And don’t be afraid of wearing chaps to stay dry and warm, or a helmet for safety.

Sarah with her dog Nala

The guests always enjoy your morning hikes and come back to share things they learned from you along the way, what is your favorite aspect of hiking here at Red Horse?

I used to be that person that never hiked because “I RIDE HORSES!”. But I’m addicted to it now. I mean, what’s better than getting paid to walk around in the woods, take pictures of the scenery and share the local flora with friends? The adrenaline rush of hiking up a good mountain is just as good as, if not better than a cup of coffee at 7:30am. What’s super cool is when the return guests come back and point out a plant or flower that they learned from one of my hikes the previous year!

What are some of the key points that you include in your horseback lessons here at the ranch?

Horseback lessons can be quite satisfying to me to watch a principle sink in and click. The majority of lessons I teach are beginner lessons. Though, I really enjoy the more advanced ones too. In my lessons I just like to see that horse and rider understand each other. That the basic start, turn, speed up, slow down, and stop are quiet and not jerky. I like to see the rider relaxed but not riding like a “sack of potatoes”, because a horse doesn’t like that and it leaves them sore. Also, it is important that the horse and rider match each other in skill level and personality=horseanality.

Thanks Sarah for sharing your horse knowledge and insight regarding your work here at Red Horse Mountain Ranch!

Tip #1: One of the most important things to know and understand is that horses have a unique way of seeing the world.  Their vision is crucial to understanding how to handle them, and respecting their sensitive eyesight can help a great deal.  When approaching your horse for the first time, pet them on their neck or back first, they will appreciate this!

Tip#2:  When maneuvering around a standing horse, either stay close enough to let them know your presence, such as keeping a gentle hand on them, or keep a good distance, some horses can be particular about their personal space, just like humans.

Tip #3:  Don’t worry and relax! As far as the horse you might be paired with here at Red Horse, it isn’t their first rodeo! Although you are in charge, they know the routine, so have confidence in this magnificent animal.

Tip #4: When horseback riding on one of our beautiful scenic routes, keep your eyes on the trail (specifically for trotting or cantering).  When driving a car, you keep your eyes on the road, and the same goes with horses!  In addition, horses can sense nervous glances, so if they know you are confident, they will be too.   Horses are quite keen on detecting body language.

Tip #5: Balance! Keep your center of gravity, well…centered! Good posture in the saddle, as well as making sure you are not unintentionally leaning form one side to the other can make a big difference in your comfort.  And again, your horse knows what they are doing!

Tip#6:  This relates a bit to #5, but keep your seat bones in the saddle, if you let yourself slide around, balance can be a bit difficult.  When going up a steep slope, shift your center of gravity forward, when going down a slope, do the opposite.  After your first day of riding, you’ll have the hang of it!

Tip #7:  We use Neck Reining here at Red Horse, which is a type of directional steering that involves the weight of the rein and slight pressure, and is used in both western and English riding.  It basically involves simply holding the rein on one side of the horse, depending on the desired direction; this can be done with one hand. Your horse will simply turn away from the pressure of the rein.  Direct Reining, on the other hand, is more of a pull, and it not normally necessary for well-trained horses, so resist the urge to tug on the reins!

Tip #8:  Jeannie, one of our lead wranglers, had some advice for this one:

“If your butt hurts, your stirrups are too long.   If your knees hurt, your stirrups are too short.   If your butt and your knees hurt, they should be just right!”  Essentially, if something doesn’t feel right, just let your wranglers know, it’s usually an easy fix! (our morning yoga and stretching can always help too)

Tip#9:  While horses are very sensitive to your body language, there are things that you can pick up on about theirs as well.  Some horses are just determined to be first, but try to keep a horse length between you and the horse in front of you.  This also ties in with their ears: if a horse is uncomfortable or irritated about something, they will put their ears back. Most likely it is the horse in front or behind yours that is following too closely, again an easy fix.

Tip #10:  Perhaps most important, have fun and enjoy being out in the wilderness with these amazing animals! Also, don’t be afraid to ask the kitchen staff for an apple or a couple of carrots for your loyal horse.

Thanks for reading about how your horseback riding experience at Red Horse Mountain Ranch can be more enjoyable, our wranglers and horses are excited to meet you!

For this reason, homesteaders didn’t venture to these parts until the late 1800’s. Why then, you ask? Gold of course! Equally important was silver; but also timber, furs, and any other commodity one might find when they come to a region of pristine forests, lakes, and diverse geology. When settlers arrived in the area, they were met by the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe, or “sharpen hearts”, named so by their clever and knowledgeable trading abilities.  They are considered the original settlers, as they had been surviving in the area for thousands of years.  While these early encounters comprise another fascinating piece of history, lets get back to Red Horse Mountain!

The beautiful Red Horse Mountain Valley

The true origins of our ranch began with the Red Horse Gold Mine, at the foot of Red Horse Mountain. Previously, our valley was the perfect location for Native American tribes to make winter camps, whether for the season, or just traveling through.  It is also said that in these early mining times, our valley provided the perfect hideout for horse thieves, as they could hide out in the valley and keep watch on the surrounding peaks.  While the boom of the mine didn’t last, its remnants still exist today.

Miners at the Red Horse Gold Mine

Red Horse Mountain Gold Mine not only brought prospectors, but also homesteaders that were looking for a new life amid this amazing terrain.  John Nederhood was one such homesteader, and he made his home here in the Red Horse valley in 1904 with his wife, Mirtle. For those who have been to our ranch, it is a wonder to think what it must have been like in the early 1900’s to make the arduous trip to this location, and to find, upon arrival, such a beautiful place!

John Nederhood, wife Mirtle, and child Maude

While it was originally the homestead of the Nederhood family, Red Horse became active as a ranch in the 1920s.  Since then, the name and use of our ranch has transformed several times.  It was previously owned by Lloyd Jones, and was part of his Bar-be-que Ranch, one of the first dude ranches in the region.  With its secluded and unspoiled landscape, our location was the perfect place for Timber Ridge Ranch, a cattle ranch that was also a Christian dude ranch for those looking to gain some perspective in the wilderness.  Timber Ridge was eventually purchased by a couple that searched for years looking for the perfect location for a dude ranch, a place where they could share their love of nature.  They picked a good spot!  In 1992, they named it Hidden Creek, and spent a year building new rustic cabins and getting the place ready to become a guest ranch. (wow, was that really 20 years ago?)  Red Horse Mountain Ranch took over in 2005, and we are still representing the spirit and values of the west, as well as the appreciation of unspoiled wilderness.

Thanks for reading about the brief history of Red Horse Mountain, as it is always part of a true western experience! Below is a picture of the old barn, one of the orignial ranch structures.  (You can also see it as it is today in the thumbnail above)

Early 1900′s, original barn

2013, ‘The Old Barn’

At Tubbs Hill Nature Park there are 135 acres that support a number of trails that can give you a taste of Idaho wilderness in just an hour or two.  You can even opt for a short 20-30 walk and experience the beauty of Tubbs.  Meander on these trails through a majestic green forest, immense rock outcroppings and caves, and even make your way down to the water where there are several beaches where you can go for a swim or simply enjoy the view of Lake Coeur D’Alene. It is also a popular place for locals to jump off the rocks and cool off on a hot summer day, and you may want to join!  Tubbs Hill is also known for its diverse plant life, particularly gorgeous wildflowers, and there is excellent bird watching as well. Over the past century, there have been attempts to buy the land for commercial development, but thanks to the passion of those who thought it should be preserved, we can still enjoy it as a natural wonder today.

Tubbs Hill, 1890, North Idaho Museum

 If you have more than a couple hours, don’t worry, because the historic main street in CDA and a 16.5 acre beach and city park are right next to the peninsula.  Sherman Avenue, the central street, has an abundance of restaurants, cafes, and unique shops to venture into!  The Coeur D’ Alene Beach and City Park are right next door, a popular place for travelers and locals alike, and a great place to spend the day in the sun with your family to enjoy the beauty of northern Idaho.

gonorthwest.jpg

Thanks for reading about Tubbs Hill Nature Park, you can check out the historic details at www.tubbshill.org, we hope you get to visit this great place on your way to Red Horse Mountain Dude Ranch!

Harrison, 1910, Crane Historical Society

If you haven’t been lucky enough to venture to Red Horse Mountain Ranch, or Harrison, ID, then you don’t know what your missing!  The quaint town of Harrison has a rich history that can still be seen today.  The sense of hard work and community from which it was founded on is still represented in the culture of the locals and the 20 historical buildings that remain, eight of which are on the National Historic Register.  The town of Harrison is a wonderful reminder of the western frontier spirit, as it was established by brave settlers who persevered through floods, fires, and of course the rugged and breathtaking wilderness of northern Idaho!

Harrison is located on Lake Coeur d’ Alene and adjacent to the CDA River, and was officially incorporated  in the early 1890’s; settlers quickly prospered from the resources of the area.  Today, much of the Coeur d’Alene region still remains largely wilderness; it is truly important to remember the first settlers that were able to make permanent homes here, and it is also quite a miraculous feat! It didn’t take long for the town to become a major transportation hot spot that fed the logging and mining industries after gold and silver were discovered in Silver Valley, a nearby mining region.  It took only 12 years for it to grow to 2,000 residents, a significant population for northern Idaho in the 1800’s.  After becoming the largest city on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, and also having survived a devastating fire in 1917, Harrison settled down and eventually molded into the laid-back town it is today.

Harrison marina, photo by Dave Cope

One of the greatest things about Harrison is the sense of community that has been built on over 100 years of culture and tradition. Community events such as the Fourth of July, the Old Timers Picnic, or the Annual Classic Car Show, still bring local residents and travelers together in this unique setting.  While it remains a peaceful and picturesque destination, it shouldn’t be overlooked that there are many exciting outdoor opportunities.  It seems as though the passion for adventure from its’ original settlers has survived!

Harrison is a great stop for motorcyclists as well! photo by Steve Prueher

Once a hub for transportation, Harrison now has a reputation for its’ water sports, access to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, and also as a great stop for boaters.  The beauty of Lake Coeur d’ Alene can be enjoyed in countless ways: kayaking, jet skiing, boating, tubing, canoeing, fishing, paddle-boarding, and biking (not to mention the delicious ice cream from the Harrison Creamery!).  Red Horse Mountain Ranch also offers a guided trip along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes; the spectacular bike trail that spans 72 miles and offers a glimpse at some majestic northwest wildlife and scenery you can’t find anywhere else. Several types of bicycles can be rented at Harrison’s Pedal Pushers, whether you are an avid biker, or simply looking for some outdoor fun on a beautiful summer day.

Thanks for learning about Harrison, as it is truly a piece of history that means a lot to Red Horse, and for all those who have ventured to these parts.  Check out the City of Harrison and Chamber of Commerce websites for details about fun things to do while visiting.  We hope that you can make the trip to this notable town, and of course Red Horse Mountain Ranch!