Just come back from our fab Canadian holiday. One of the definite highlights of the holiday was our stay at the Graham Dunden Ranch! As an accomplished rider I was really looking forward to our horse riding part of the holiday, yet was apprehensive to achieve a great time for all of our family. My husband has only ever been on a horse a few times in his life and both our boys (8 and 10 years old) have grown up around horses but never done any hacking off the leadrein before. Although confident in the saddle it was going to be a big thing for them to be in sole charge of their mounts and I so desperately wanted them to have a great time...

I should not have worried! Wolfgang found a suitable horse for each one of us and we went out together with him and 2 'ranch girls' who all looked after us marvellously well.
We had the best time! The boys came back elated after their first independent ride and I was so proud of all of them! They were taught the ropes about neck reining, which is the western way of steering horses and all took to it really quickly. The horses were a joy to ride, all of them forward going with good brakes, happy to do some work and happy to put up with us / look after us whatever was needed. The boys were so excited, that they could hardly wait for the next ride.

In the afternoon I went for a two hour ride myself without the family and had a cracking time with Wolfgang and the 2 girls! There really is great riding out there and you won't be disappointed even if you have your own horses at home and are used to great riding.

I certainly felt that my family was in the best hands and everything was safe, under control and yet tons of fun. Wolfgang is a really fun and enjoyable guy. We got to walk, trot, and canter/gallop, even managed to put in the odd small natural jump over a log, yet no one was forced into anything they did not wish to do. If some of us wanted to go slower, the group would temporarily divide and none of the horses were in the least bit worried about that. That's what I call service with a smile!

One happy family!!! Wolfgang and Barbara are German but also speak very good English. A big thanks to them and a special mention for Diamond, Joey, Smart & Maple (our wonderful horse partners).

We did not stay in their guest accomodation as we were on the road with our Motorhome. However we had a great spot in a field nearby the ranch house with water and electric hook-up and the view was great!

We saw a family of resident marmots, a coyote whilst out riding, they have some happy pigs and a goat on the ranch plus of course their 10 horses.

Green Lake is very near by, which is great for swimming and walking in the summer and makes for fantastic scenery.

All in all, strongly recommended.