I waited a while to write this review because I wanted to reflect on the three nights we spent at Circle Bar Guest Ranch in mid-August. I chose to stay at this ranch because I was looking for a place in the plains where I could gallop or go on fast-paced horseback rides—something that was advertised on their website, which is why my boyfriend and I booked it. We paid $3,000 for the three nights, a great price considering it included three meals a day and all activities.
Let’s start from the beginning of our vacation. The location was nice, there were no mountains around the Ranch and I felt comfortable with both the surrounding environment and the historic cabin, which was rustic, cozy and very large.
What disappointed me greatly was the service and the lack of sensitivity from the staff. Angela, the owner, greeted us very coldly and impersonally. It seemed like she didn’t even want to give us information and was perhaps in a hurry. She didn’t show any warmth or convey any kind of emotion. Neither she nor the other wranglers working with her were very communicative or had much personality (the cook was perhaps the only one who was somewhat friendly).
Aside from this aspect, which we noticed right away, we were lucky to meet some other guests who were delightful. Thanks to their company and warmth, we ended up having a pleasant vacation. We weren’t the only ones who felt this way, as during our meals (we dined together at a communal table each time), other guests also confirmed feeling very coldly treated by all the Staff.
The best part was yet to come!! I started my horseback rides, which was the reason I chose this ranch. On the first day, I went on horseback rides twice (in the morning and the afternoon). It was just a simple and nice ride because, in theory, the wranglers were supposed to observe how you rode and assess your level of experience. They gave me a wonderful horse (because I had signed a waiver stating that I was at an advanced level of experience). It was pleasant, but I was eagerly awaiting the fast rides as advertised on the website.
The next day, I discovered that to ride fast, I needed to pass a sort of test with some wranglers in an arena next to the ranch. They changed my horse, giving me a different one from the day before (which I had already gotten to know well). This new horse was much less sensitive; one wrangler even told me that the horse was “stubborn.” I have experience with horses from a young age and did horseback riding for a couple of years when I was 15, but I don’t ride daily and am more accustomed to regular riding. I didn’t want to be treated like a beginner, but I must note that I would definitely be quite rusty.
To the wranglers, my skills were not sufficient for the fast rides. They treated me like a beginner, without giving me another opportunity to take the test (everything happened in a few seconds). They then sent those who had passed the test to ride fast, and when I asked if I could try again, I was told that they “didn’t really have time.” Given what I paid to stay at the ranch, they could have dedicated a few more minutes to me, but no. They sent me on a walk and didn’t let me go galloping. I felt humiliated and not treated well by the wranglers. Angela, the owner, then came to speak to me; she apologized to me and even offered to arrange some lessons, but honestly, it was too late. The next morning, we had to leave because we needed to return home. If I could go back, I might have accepted the lessons, but as I mentioned, we didn’t have the time, and also, I didn’t like at all how I was treated. I felt that I was treated with indifference, and given what we spent to be at the ranch, I didn’t expect this.
The place is nice and has a big potential, but those who manage it don’t know how to handle their...
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