HORSES
Horses are the heart of the ranch vacation experience. The Elkhorn Ranch herd of over one hundred saddle horses, breeding stock and colts graze in the large pastures surrounding the Ranch headquarters. They are raised here or brought to the ranch as young horses. Elkhorn horses learn to move and live in the rough country of the Baboquivari Mountains. They become sure-footed and strong. They live here year round.
BREEDING PROGRAM
Cross-bred horses have been raised at the ranch for many years. A Thoroughbred-Percheron cross stallion is crossed with quarter horse type mares — a warm blood type cross. These days cross-bred mares raised on the ranch are bred to a quarter horse stallion.
Draft cross horses were bred in the early 1900s for the US Cavalry Remount Program. Today this cross is often used for show-jumping and three day eventing, and riding at Elkhorn Ranch. They have a sound mind and good strong bones combined with athletic ability.
TRAINING PROGRAM
Elkhorn invests many years in training our horses and giving them time to physically and mentally mature. They reward our guests with many years of companionship!
Horses raised at the ranch are born in the early summer the old fashioned way with their dams as the sole attendants. They are weaned and halter trained at about 6 months of age and turned out in Elkhorn’s desert and mountainous country for a few years.
Their first training occurs at age two when they experience about a month of ground work (training from the ground) and very light riding in the round corral. As three year olds, they repeat and build on the previous summer’s training plus they are ridden in open country — but still no work.
As four year olds they begin several years of higher education as summer work and guide horses.
An Elkhorn saddle horse is ready for guests when physically and mentally mature, with several years of experience living in and traveling through the rough country of the Baboquivari Mountains.
WAY BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS!
“Riding, accommodation, food & people were all fantastic and the boys thanked me individually & without prompting for a most amazing holiday & experience! We didn’t want to leave our horses … Those lucky Americans who go year after year! I’ve never been to a place with such loyal repeat business, but can now fully understand why.”
