Woodrow cools his heels in the tank filled, thankfully, by a great monsoon season.

The Hideout Herd enjoyed a lazy August afternoon around the “pool”, the dirt tank filled by an active and bountiful monsoon season. Because they’re spending so much time up around the tank and under a lush grove of mesquite trees, we took their minerals and protein licks up to them so they wouldn’t miss out on any critical nutrients. We weren’t their only visitors today. When we pulled up, a Great Blue Heron was wading nearby.

We almost didn’t recognise the calves - they’re HUGE! Desert life obviously agrees with them! The guests returning for Roundup over the Labour Day holiday, are in for a treat as we’ll have to roust the cattle out of their swimming hole, and drive them down to the corrals. All done on horseback, of course. And after the branding and tagging is done, it’s time for a big, steaming bowl of Cowboy Stew and a slab of hot cornbread slathered with butter. Yum.

Sound like a marvelous time to you - then Come Hideout… on horseback -

A Great Blue Heron walks the shoreline of the tank after wading with Woodrow...

We used rye hay to entice them out into the open so we could could get a better look at them.

Warner, however, did not fall for the "Oh, look - hay!" trick, casting a gimlet eye on me for trying.

Wow... look at all this grass!

Last week, Bolivar and Po Campo joined the herd in the Peloncillo Pasture. Funny, how mischievous creatures don’t derive as much enjoyment engaging in activities when it’s “okay”, as they do when it’s “naughty”. The boys opened gates so often, wandering out into the pasture while the horses came in to tour the pens, we decided we should just turn them out. As evidenced in this photo, the boys just didn’t know what to do… first!

There are so many personalities here at Hideout Ranch, and so much entertainment. Hurry and Come Hideout… on horseback so you won’t miss a thing!

Bye, Dad - don't worry about me!

Outta here... I see grass to nibble.

Po Campo impersonates Daddy in the Livery Yard.

Since arriving at Hideout Ranch in mid-May, Po Campo and Bolivar have soaked into every fiber of the fabric of daily ranch activities. Yes, even creating some of their own… from flooding the arena by turning on the water faucet to spooking Kachina by knocking down all the brooms and shovels to cleverly taking the chains off the gates to find their way to the haypile down by the shop - Po Campo and Bolivar, our adorable, personable Jerusalem donkeys, just don’t miss a trick. They greet the day with enthusiastic brays, letting us know it is time for breakfast. Tug of war is a favourite game, and they run all around, pulling each with a thick length of rope. They literally get down on their knees, wrestling. And as Lords of the Livery Yard, Bo and Po make the rounds, visiting each “herd” of horses across the pasture fences. The boys are also most helpful around the Livery - leading Mickey Free away from the rail after a ride and inspecting the office while Daddy sweeps the desert back out the door…

Po Campo and Bolivar - two more fabulous reasons to Come Hideout… on horseback.

Hey Dad, can I borrow the truck? I need to pick up some feed...

The Hideout boys enjoy a Sunday afternoon in the Horseshoe Pasture.

All of the Hideout Ranch “boy horses” are out in the Horseshoe Pasture, enjoying the Arizona summer. Newly introduced to the others and a thirty-acre pasture, Taza, Cholo, Ike, and Bascom love to stretch out, spread out, and converse with us over the fence in front of the house. The monsoons have ramped up in recent days, and the air cools dramatically after the rains. The boys love to jump over scrub pine, play in the mud, and run, splashing as they race each other among the yucca and mesquite. Yaqui and Sebastian are the usual suspects when we see water and mud flying!

Yaqui and Sebastian, always clowning, take a short breather after chasing each other across the rainy plain.

Like an ambush scene from the Old West, Hideout Ranch guests catch their breath.

 Hideout Ranch trailers to many nearby trailheads - Fort Bowie, Horseshoe Canyon, Rucker Canyon, Turkey Creek. But one of our more amazing rides is literally right out the back gate. Hideout Ranch’s unique location on the Arizona-New Mexico stateline enables guests to explore two states on horseback. Owl Canyon is quickly becoming a favourite destination. Craig, who on his last trip packed a handsaw to clear a tree which had succumbed to the strong winds of spring, thinks the trail leads up and over the Peloncillos, and is planning to make that an overnight packtrip! Owl Canyon is a place to “bushwhack” (cowboy for riding through the brush to blaze a trail…), see amazing scenery and wildlife, and gaze out over the valley all the way down to Hideout Ranch.

Hideout Ranch, on the floor of the valley, and across to Horseshoe Canyon from Owl Canyon.

The yucca are particularly lovely this spring...

After a welcomed wet winter, the desert has burst with colour this spring. Early March saw yellow poppies carpeting the rocky slopes. The brilliance of the fushia cholla sparkled next. Now the fluffy, yucca are dancing on the warming desert breezes. Riding through the canyons, the crisp green lace of the Mesquite leaves and sporadic tiny wildflowers colour the desert floor. Horseback riding in southeastern Arizona any time of the year is incredible - but spring… spring is special.

Dazzling yellow poppies appear in spurts of colour all across the desert floor.

Sebastian waits for his grooms to adjust his tack so he and Kristen can explore Horseshoe Canyon.

When the Doerr Family first explored a Hideout Ranch adventure, the mere description of their eldest daughter’s personality, riding experience, and equire preferences brought Sebastian, one of our foundation Hideout Ranch horses, instantly to mind. And it was truly a match made in heaven. They had a great time riding up and down the canyons, mountains, and across the cattle range. Sebastian had always been the “extra” trail horse for friends and family until moving to Virginia where he joined Riches in schooling under English tack as eventers. His time in the mountains contributed to his steadiness on course, and he took to jumping like an eagle takes to the sky. Kristen, while riding Western, was able to employ her dressage skills for interactive trailrides and some beautiful moments to watch.

Even after hours in the saddle, Kristen and her younger sister, Beth, still had some go, so we swapped tack on Sebastian and Doodle (Beth’s trusty trail partner), and schooled the girls over fences. Everyone had a blast (I have to admit it was thoroughly exhilirating to assume my instructor’s mien once more… ), and it was breath-taking to watch them, galloping around and sailing over fences. There was a moment when Kristen had Sebastian in his big, rolling canter against the backdrop of the Chiricahuas and Horseshoe Canyon, his mane flying and her face beaming. It was a vision…

It was hard to say who had more fun - Beth and Doodle or Kristen and Sebastian, or Lori and Czar who gamely took their turn. Looking back, it was their mom, Annette, and me as jump crew and coach. Had to be…

Kristen guides Sebastian over a small vertical - they were having a blast.

Doodle and Beth hit the X dead center.

What a picture...

A little coaching for Doodle and Beth - just before they nailed it!

Lori and Czar watch the fun before giving it a try themselves.

Craig and Newt, who appears to be Heir Apparent, share a moment.

Every calf born on Hideout Ranch is special, but every so often - one just becomes even moreso. Newt, Daisy’s calf born in late 2008, is one of those. He’s taken to following Craig around, helping feed, drop minerals, and set salt. Because of the close relationship Daisy and Craig share (she used to follow him all around The Hideout in Virginia and bellow when she couldn’t find him), it’s fitting that her first bullcalf would rocket to the top of the list. We’re fortunate to have tremendous interaction with the cattle, making roundups and chute work so much easier.

Working with the herd is a bonus when you Come Hideout… on horseback.

Newt mimics his dad, Woodrow, while resting in the Arizona sun.

Francis assures Newt the branding and tagging won't be too terrible.

Craig spots Daisy and her calf soon after delivery.

Clavo leaps in the trailer to head to Fort Bowie.

 While riding under the crossbar and across the Hideout Range is exciting, we often trailer to one of the numerous trailheads nearby. The Hideout horses travel in style in a stock trailer with plenty of room for all. One of the most important traits in good trail horses is a willingness to jump in the trailer, and ride quietly from the ranch to the destination and back home again. All of our horses are eager to load - Kansas leaps and lands over half-way in! Recently, we witnessed the very cutest thing we have ever seen when loading horses. Mose, whose Draft blood makes him seem so much bigger than his 15.2 hands, was the last of the “big boy” horses to load. Then, Doodle jumped, popping her knees, taking the step up into the trailer like a coop on a cross-country course, and landed neatly in the trailer next to Mose. Standing less than 14 hands, Doodle barely came up to the skirts of Mose’s saddle, and they looked entirely adorable next to each other.

Hideout Ranch horses really enjoy trailering as they are anxious to demonstrate when you Come Hideout… on horseback.

Doodle waits patiently by the trailer for Beth to get mounted up.

Doodle and Beth are ready to go at Horseshoe Canyon.