EQUI PARTNER PROFESSIONAL
Ted Harvey~Cody, WY
Who doesn't remember the film City Slickers? It is a classic comedy with its portrayal about dude ranches, wranglers, and the cowboy way. However, there is a long script to operating a dude ranch business today. Our Equi Partner Pro, Ted Harvey, Dude Ranch Business Consultant, shares with us great insight from years of experience in the dude ranch business.
Ted and his family call Cody, Wyoming home. They love quarter horses and the ranching lifestyle. This enthusiasm permeates Ted's outlook and approach to business. He shares with us some excellent insight to help your ranch operation, a vacation dude ranch, working dude ranch, guest ranch, or resort dude ranch succeed. Not to mention giving potential vacationers insight as to what to ask and look for in a ranch vacation!
What are the different kinds of ranches?
Working Dude Ranch
These are working cattle ranches. Most of these ranches were cattle ranches before they became dude ranches. Historically ranchers who needed to make more money started accepting boarders to help pay for their ranch operations. Guests get to participate in the work related to the horses and cattle. If you are looking to really experience what cowboy life is then this the kind of ranch for you.
Dude or Guest Ranch
Many dude ranches started as working ranches but moved their business to taking guests which became their main focus. Some still have cattle and guest are encouraged to help work them. Horseback riding is their main focus but most offer a variety of other activities including, kids programs, fishing, skeet shooting, evening activities and pack trips. In my career I have heard countless guests at the end of their stay say that this was the best vacation they had ever been on.
Resort Dude Ranch
These ranches are more luxurious and offer fancier accommodations, dining, and amenities. Tennis, golf, fine wines, spa and shopping are typical. They of course still have great horseback riding. Resort ranches tend to have larger guest capacity and can handle large groups, weddings and corporate events.
Ted leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the preparation, training of employees, and operation of a dude ranch business. His training manual, safety check lists, and hands on experiences help all to enjoy a safe and rewarding time on horseback. Ted's approach is ALL ABOUT SAFETY. He conducts Wrangler Training Certification Courses, with a very comprehensive program. He has written a Wrangler Training Course and Adaptive First Aid for the Trail that are invaluable. He has implemented these plans with many of the ranches he has listed on his website. Ted has a common sense approach to operating ranches but also implements use of modern technology, like mapping the facilities trail system with GPS for safety.
Ted indicated that many dude ranch accidents can be prevented. "Probably the leading cause of many accidents is a LOOSE CINCH and improper match of horse and rider." Both preventable factors with proper awareness, training, and attention to details.
Ted's consulting services also include caring for ranch horses, legal issues, horse program development and long-term ranch management. He has also obtained his real estate license and has joined Live Water Properties based in Jackson, Wyoming. Live Water Properties is a unique ranch real estate brokerage company representing clients in the acquisition and disposition of investment grade ranch holdings in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Nebraska, California and Utah. Their focus is on fly fishing, guest ranches, private retreats, hunting ranches as well as cattle and agricultural working ranches.
Ted believes that dude ranching is about taking care of people on a horse related vacation. His website lists numerous ranches to choose from. Or if you are looking to buy a ranch out west, contact Ted Harvey.
www.duderanchconsultant.com
www.duderanchvacation.co
www.livewaterproperties.com
