"Happy Guest Equals A Happy Horse"

Winter is coming to a close for the 2012 season here at Medicine Bow Lodge. This will allow for earlier riding here at the ranch.
We have the saddle soap and leather cleaner ready to prepare our saddles' for this upcoming season. Personally, I love helping with this project because you see the results with the sheen on the leather and the character comes alive in each one. I love the smells of the old leather with the new. I have learned first hand from Tim how important it is to care for the saddles, and tack. Each saddle has its own saddle rack ready to be fitted with horse and guest alike. It isn't just throwing on a saddle that is involved with riding. The horses love having a saddle fit their rider, because the rider is sitting properly in the saddle and takes pressure off the horse. So, I guess you could say, Happy guest equals a happy horse. This has been an on going learning experience for a city girl like me.
For the longest time, I would tell Tim that I need a narrow horse! I just wasn't comfortable on the horses he would have me ride. Well, he kept telling me,"Debbie it isn't the horse, it is the saddle." He took me to a saddle store and had the owner show me the difference in saddles and that it is the tree of the saddle that you want to fit, not the horse! Yes, I was embarrassed and I know my husband was perplexed with my thinking. Needless to say, I now have a saddle that fits me like a glove that I am more than happy to share with lady guest who need a "narrow horse", actually a narrow tree in the saddle.
Medicine Bow Lodge wants to make sure that each of our guest are fitted to the right horse, and a comfortable saddle, this helps to assure the best riding experience. It is our number one goal for our guest to have a pleasant riding experience with the desire to return here for the "Ride of A Lifetime."

"This Is Where I Belong"

"You know, I love a hot shower, good food and a warm bed, but when it comes down to it, this is where I belong" This is what Tim said while we were snowshoeing up in the mountains today. Where we were snowshoeing was on a horse trail that is a favorite for loping as you wind up this wooded rugged area. He was daydreaming about riding with our guests' and teaching them good techniques as they ride in this range. This cowboy at heart just loves where we live in this rustic mountain range where he is at home. You will not meet too many men like my husband who loves his work with a passion, which has many hats, but hands down he would rather be on a horse, enjoying the company of our guests', and exploring new places as he shares his Faith, the history of our home, and business, the Medicine Bow Lodge. Wouldn't you rather go vacation at a place that lives their work with a devotion and desire to make sure that whoever comes here has the best vacation ever! He is always ready to Ride!

"Wishing You Were Here?"

Don't you wish you were here? This is what we wake up to every morning during the winter season at Medicine Bow Lodge. Our guests' that are here right now are riding in this area today. They couldn't ask for a more perfect day to snowmobile. It is because of these wonderful snows that God sends that allows us to have such beautiful summers with the wild flowers, green meadows, lush pastures for the horses and fantastic fishing in the streams, rivers of these mountains located in the unique Medicine Bow National Forest. A day like today, I know spring is coming because of the warmer temperatures. This photo is of Kennedy Peak and right below it is a favorite horseback ride called "Mitchel's Ridge", named after one of our favorite past wranglers. As you can see, it is a picturesque view for an all day horseback ride, a place to get off the saddle, enjoy some lunch, and rest your bottoms, maybe even get in a short nap, before heading down the steep mountain inclines, play in the meadows and cross the crystal clear streams.Oh, if Tim goes along, you are guaranteed that he will take some time and dabble in panning for gold! Don't worry, our sure footed horses are up for this ride and enjoy the breaks by the streams, to nibble on yummy Wyoming grasses. The ideal time is beginning of July through early October. Just one of the many rides to enjoy winter, spring, summer, and fall. So, don't you wish that you were here?