Horseback Riding

Horses are central to the concept of the ranch.  Some of the finest horses in Central Oregon live at Vandevert.  For photos and descriptions see the Horse Gallery.  

The ranch includes eight miles of well-maintained trails, exclusively for the use of owners.  Many more miles of trails are a short distance away in the Cascade Mountains.  See the ranch trail map.

Two round pens and an arena provide space for exercising and training the horses.  The 40-foot wicker pen is suitable for lunging a horse or for introducing children to riding.  The 100-foot pen permits galloping and turning.  Owners use the 100-foot by 200-foot rectangular arena for training horses in Gymkhana, jumping, pole bending, barrel racing, and keyhole races. 

Owners keep their horses in three large corrals.  During the winter, up to eight horses can be stabled in the barn, though most horses in Central Oregon are not stabled.  A nearby storage shed, out of sight of the barn, stores truckloads of hay.  All horse facilities, including a large pasture, are well away from home sites.   

Ranch employees care for the horses seven days a week.  They feed them, exercise them, worm and vaccinate them, and assist the veterinarian.  Farrier services are readily available when needed.

Click here for more recreation opportunities on the ranch.