Experience the pleasant pace and balance of the trailer-driving and off-road Missouri Fox Trotters in the region of the Ozark Plateau! This region is located in the heart of Missouri and is known for its extraordinary variety of plants and animals. You can encounter for example white deer, wild turkeys and herons. The Meramec River and other rivers are home to numerous perch and trout. On five days this ride takes you along beautiful forest and field paths, past steep slopes with magnificent views and to spectacular caves that you can visit. On some days, horses and riders are first transported a bit by car, so that new riding areas open up to you again and again. You will spend the night at the Meramec farm. The log cabin was built in 2005 and offers a nice and comfortable accommodation. On cool evenings you will find yourself around the open fireplace. From the terrace you have a wonderful view over the lake. Breakfast is always taken on the farm, lunch is usually a picnic lunch on the way. Twice dinner is also included in the price.

Itinerary

Day 1: In the afternoon you arrive at a horse and cattle farm with about 1,300 square kilometres of land. There you will get to know your hosts and settle down in your log cabin or room. Take your time to enjoy the view of the sparkling lake in front of your accommodation! Dinner is served outside by the campfire with "handmade" music in the background. Afterwards you will take a horse-drawn carriage ride into the sunset. The hay cart is pulled by coal-black percherons. The following days you will undertake varied rides in the landscape around the Meramec River.

Day 2: The first riding day is used to get used to the horses. Accordingly, you will start off comfortably. You will ride over the ranch grounds and return to your accommodation for lunch. In the afternoon, another ride is on the program, where you can admire old paintings of the Osage Indians on steep rocky slopes. In the evening return to your accommodation.

Day 3: Ride over wide farmland and over a ridge to a farm in the neighbourhood, which breeds buffalos and other animals. The owner Fran will show you around this interesting farm and afterwards you will enjoy lunch on the large veranda and enjoy the sight of the grazing animals. After this rest you will quickly return to your accommodation.

Accomodation

There is a double room in the main house of the ranch. It has a queen-size bed and a private bathroom with a shower. No TV, but you are welcome to watch TV in "The Great Room". There is a 2-bedroom log cabin for guests, separated from the house and built from cedar trunks, decorated with a cowboy motif. The hut can accommodate a maximum of 7 people, a group or two groups can each take a bedroom. One room has 1 queen bed and the other room has 2 double beds. In the living room there is also a single sofa bed. The log cabin is equipped with a full kitchen and cable TV. Breakfast and lunch as well as a barbecue evening are included. Additional dinners are not included: Bourbon has many local restaurants near the ranch that your hosts can recommend for you, or you can cook yourself. Bourbon has a nice grocery and deli that is open until 9:00 p.m. There is a 6-person hot tub where you can relax when you are not riding. WiFi is available at the ranch. On cool evenings, gather in front of the fireplace. Enjoy the view of the big lake from your veranda, a very romantic setting for special occasions. If you want to go out in the evening, you can go to the cinema or a bar with live music (bluegrass and western country music) in the nearby towns. If you want to visit some sights during or before your ranch stay, there are antique shops with quirky vintage items in the city of Cuba (20 km) and Rolla (30 km). There is a winery in the region and the Onondaga Cave is 25 minutes´ drive from the ranch - guests´ favorite! The Meramec Spring Park is beautiful in spring and has a trout farm!

Saddle & Tack: Western.

Experience:

Horses: Missouri Foxtrotter, Tennessee Walker, Quarter Horses, Percheron.