Southern Cross Ranch — Hotel in Madison

Spent 1 week here in July. Upon arrival, we were greeted and checked in and given an itinerary that showed what times the rides and food was served. The lady was very nice and gave us a quick tour of the Ranch and showed us to our room. They have a decent game room with a pool table, table soccer, and plenty of board games. They also have a movie room with hundreds of movies and a card table. They do allow adult beverages but only have a couple of community refrigerators. The outside pool is very relaxing with towels and plenty of seating. The room was very spacious and quiet. Food is served buffet style including a salad bar. Drinks and snacks are available 24/7.

For riding; they have a large property with a variety shaded trails and open fields. I recommend wearing pants, boots that are easy to get in and out of the stirrups, hat, sunblock, and a saddle bag. They do not provide saddle bags so its hard to carry water. It is a 2 hour ride and hydrating is a must. I did fall off of a horse because the horse slipped and fell down on a wet part of the trail after it rained the night before.

Starting out prior to riding, they assign you a horse and have you meet a staff member at the paddocks and you bring them back to the barn (adults and kids involved). Once at the barn, they tie them up and everyone brushes their horse. The staff didn't offer any safety instructions and people and horses were stacked together, which runs the risk of being bitten and kicked by the horses. After brushing, the staff has you get their saddle and bridal and set them next to horse. People were also putting the blanket and saddle on the horse and the staff did not say anything. Because of the tight spacing, my friend was hit in the face by one of the brass straps to the saddle while the staff member was tacking them up. Once tacked up, everyone leads their horse to the field. A staff member then tightens everything up and they have steps for easy mounting. My friend, whom is a experienced rider, was yelled at for grabbing the reins "wrong". While others were mounting their horses before being tightened up and the staff didn't say anything.

The trials are mostly walk only with one stretch for cantering. There is one creek crossing and plenty of deer to see. You can go guided or unguided once you have some experience at the ranch. Our guides were very experienced, and easy to talk to, and answered everyone's questions.

The second day we told them we were going unguided and they assigned us the same horses. Once we made it to the trial head, the horses stopped immediately. No matter how hard we tried, the horses would not budge. We had to get off of the horses and lead them back to the barn just to get them to move. Once back at the barn with only a few minutes of actual riding, we were hoping to get different horses, but that counted as a ride and we basically had to forfeit our riding session. The next day we were assigned different horses and were able to have a successful unguided ride.

Once you are finished with your ride, everyone walks the horse back to the barn and take their saddles back into the barn. The horses are then sprayed off and you squeegee them dry. Once the horse is dried off, everyone leads them back to the paddock. A huge safety issue we had while taking the horses back was, once my friend started taking the horse back, the horse took off running back towards the field and dragged her and injured her hand and gave her rope burns. She yelled for help but there were no staff members outside. I ran into the barn to find a staff member and told them a horse just took off. The staff said "oh, he does that sometimes with new people". Once the staff had the horse under control, we talked to the barn manager and were told that the horses are vetted and safe. We forfeited the afternoon ride because my friend's injured hand.

Overall, safety should be improved. There were too many instances in which we had no guidance or supervision from...

As a self described horse lover, going to SCR is the epitome of the ultimate getaway. For me as I arrive at the gates of this glorious ranch and cross the threshold of the entrance gate I have a feeling euphoria and a feeling of peacefulness overcomes me. Upon check-in you are greeted by a wonderful staff that makes sure your visit is as if you never left home, only improved. They are friendly, and most welcoming as if you are family.

On our visits, we usually arrive at around 11am, with the invitation of lunch and the promise of your first ride at 2pm. While at SCR, we were provided the wonderful accommodations of the Magnolia suite, which is above the kitchen. As your shown to your room, when walking up the steps, the aromas of a wonderful meal wafts behind you. Inviting you to a delicious home cooked lunch. As you settle into this particular room, you have the large window which looks directly out over the pasture where you again see these beautiful horses. For me a smile never leaves my face, I’m in heaven. We settle our things and wander down to the kitchen, you’re offered unlimited beverages while you await the fantastic lunch. We walk out the doors to the deck and down to the pasture to see the horses while we wait. You are free to wander the fields and pastures as well as the riding trails as you please. There’s always something to do if your not riding. You can hike through the wooded areas seeing all varieties of beautiful horses, pet those that will allow it and hike peacefully in hopes of also seeing other woodland creatures such as deer. Bring carrots, peppermints and other various horse treats for your “field” friends as you stroll through. I promise you’ll make many friends.

Once lunch is served, which is usually a large spread of various foods from completely southern, to German, Italian, and America foods, just to name a few. There are always unlimited options and they will accommodate your every dietary need, just ask. These exquisite meals are complete including beverages, main course with vegetables, salads and desserts. Delicious!

You then meander to the riding barn for your first ride at 2. You can drive or walk and once there you are again greeted by a group of staff members that make sure you’re matched to the perfect horse. From first time novice riders to the most experienced, they will make sure you have a great time. As a rider that’s ridden since I was 3 yrs old they match me with a horse that meets my needs, and as a barn rule they take you on a guided trail ride first. This is to familiarize you with the riding areas for your safety. If your experienced and/or a return guest and you’re comfortable with it you’re allowed to venture out on your own eventually. The first part of your barn experience is getting your assigned horse from the paddock, brushing the horse in preparation of saddling your ride all by yourself with the staff assisting where and when needed. This is just part of what makes SCR so wonderful.

You’re now free to hike the fields and woodlands, swim in the beautiful pool, play billiards or games, ride bikes, watch videos, read and relax as you please until the next delicious meal is served for supper. SCR is well versed in accommodating its guests and never have failed to treat us with the best accommodations available.

After you’ve enjoyed as many days as you are able to stay and enjoy this wonderful ranch, you’re last day usually offers a great filling breakfast along with your last ride.

As you pack to leave, going to the main house to checkout don’t fail to look at the wonderful SCR gifts to purchase that will provide you a lasting memory of what I believe is the best vacation available. Simply wonderful euphoria.

As you finally depart, and drive down that long beautiful driveway, take in the sights of the horses, barns and grounds to hold in your minds eye until you can return to...

If you love the outdoors and beautiful southern scenery and hospitality, then you should plan a visit to Southern Cross Guest Ranch. You can soak in the scenery around vast horse pastures, ride a mountain bike around the property, swim in their outdoor heated pool, or go on a trail ride. Guest have the option for bed & breakfast or an all-inclusive plan which provides 3 full meals per day (buffet style). The atmosphere is very friendly, and the staff eat in the dining room along with guests. There are two dining rooms to eat with lots of windows to see the gorgeous pastures and horses. The all-inclusive has an option to do twice daily trail rides or be a non-rider should you not want to be on horseback. ||This trip is a return for me and 2 friends. We came here last year in early May; decided to make an annual girl's getaway annually but chose late March this time around. The weather was perfect and all three of us did the riding all-inclusive. We have the option to bring our own beverages (wine, Prosecco, etc.) as they do not sell or provide liquor to guests. The food is absolutely amazing and plentiful. You do not walk away hungry no matter if you are a vegetarian or the best meat eater. And, if you have a sweet tooth, there is daily ice cream and at least 3 other dessert options to choose from at lunch and dinner. If it wasn't for the 4 hours a day in the saddle, we would easily put on a couple of pounds per day. ||Riding horses is true equine therapy for me and my friends. Each guest that came to ride was assigned a horse based on their ability. For first time arrivals, you go out on a guided trail ride that lasts 2 hours (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon). The horses are sure-footed and safe. Once you can provide your saddle soundness, you have the option to ride on the property unguided. Suggest that you only do this if you feel you can navigate the myriads of trails on the ranch. If the weather is unpleasant, they have strict "walk-only" instructions or will cancel a ride if conditions are bad (rain/storm). They have several pregnant mares and expect to be able to show off babies in the next few weeks. There are several yearlings there in a pasture together and you can take pictures and pet their cute faces as you please. ||This place is great for couples, friends, families or being just by yourself. Everyone is friendly and we chat at the meals and outside looking at the sunsets. Several nights, there were bonfires where everyone sat around just to get to know each other. ||There are so many people to shout out about as this is a top-notch crew where in the kitchen, cleaning and doing housekeeping, ranch guides. So, hats off to Will & kitchen crew, Karen in the office (keeping everything under control), Lance for his hospitality and great way with guests and horses, Wes for his horse-savvy nature and assignment of our mounts during our stay. Also, ranch hands that deserve applause are Nikki, Chris, Alicia, Bryce, Riley and Natasha! On any given day, one of these great ranch hands was there to ensure your safety, double-check your tack, help you mount from the block onto your horse and provide great trail rides. ||As a return client, planning to come again in the fall; this time, bringing my husband as he wants to fish in the pond. Really cannot say enough about Southern Cross; they do treat you...