Lone Star Ranch — Local services in Texas

Our family's recent experience at Lonestar Ranch Horse Riding Camp in Driftwood was nothing short of devastating. Our twin daughters, aged 9, who are neurodivergent, one with anxiety/OCD and the other with dyslexia, were abruptly and cruelly turned away by the Owner, despite having attended the camp three times previously and having generally positive experiences.

On March 17, 2025, my wife brought our daughters to the camp for a pre-booked three-day spring break session. This was not just a regular camp day; my wife had an emergency dental surgery scheduled for that afternoon, requiring anesthesia. We had also arranged for aftercare until 4 pm and a family friend to pick them up, as I am working overseas. This was an already stressful situation made infinitely worse by the Owner's callous actions. Knowing that our daughter with anxiety often needs a few moments to adjust to new environments, my wife respectfully reminded the Owner of this and asked if, when possible, she could ride her favorite older horse, Penny, to ease her transition. My wife understood that Penny couldn't be guaranteed every day.

What followed was a shocking display of intolerance and cruelty. Instead of showing any understanding, the Owner immediately declared that she "can't handle kids like this" and that her staff was ill-equipped to deal with any "outbursts." This was particularly egregious given that Lonestar Ranch employs individuals with neurodivergent conditions. She then stated they would "allow" the girls to stay that day, but they were banned for the remaining two days of the camp. This was not a request for "special accommodations" as she later claimed; it was a simple request at a horse camp for a child to ride a horse, a request that was met with utter disdain.

The scene that followed was incredibly upsetting and humiliating. My wife witnessed staff members crying, and I could hear the Owner yelling at them to "get back to work" when I spoke to her on the phone. The entire group of spring break campers watched as my daughters were publicly humiliated and dismissed, adding to their distress. This was not merely a dismissal; it was an act of cruelty that compounded the stress of my wife's medical emergency.

Our previous experiences with the Owner should have been a warning. During our last visit, she was dismissive of our daughter's anxiety and pressured us to leave, claiming our daughter would "get over it." Additionally, she was rude when our daughter struggled to find a helmet that fit. The unsupervised bounce house incident, where our daughter was injured, further illustrates the camp's lack of safety and supervision.

Even when I explained the situation regarding my wife's emergency surgery and our reliance on the camp's aftercare (as I talked to the Owner on the phone from Saudi Arabia!), the Owner showed little to no compassion, responding with a dismissive "oh." The Owner's email, claiming "miscommunication" and suggesting alternative programs, was an insult. It was a blatant attempt to deflect from her discriminatory and heartless behavior. My daughters were left in tears, asking what they had done wrong and why they were being "kicked out." They were traumatized, their existing neurodivergent challenges compounded by the Owner's cruelty. They were not simply upset; they were deeply wounded by her actions, and our family was placed under immense, unnecessary stress during an already difficult day.

Lonestar Ranch is not a safe or welcoming environment for neurodivergent children who aren't quiet and obedient. The Owner's lack of empathy makes this a place to avoid. Her actions were not just unprofessional; they were deeply damaging. If you value your child's emotional well-being, do not send them to this camp. This experience has shattered our trust and left us deeply concerned for the well-being of any child who might encounter the Owner's callousness, especially during times of...

NO, on- time paycheck. No health insurance. Owner repeatedly talks about dumb dumbs in the company and calls many incompetent in their positions. Often deals with disgruntled employees that clearly over worked and not properly set up for success and it's their fault for trying to understand the runaround they get from management with the mentality, "let's make it up as we go." When a mistake is made you can find management speaking in an ill manner with a superiority complex in front of the whole team or ear shot for others to note. Doesn't feel very good when everyone standing around not knowing what the next call to action is. protocol's clearly are not on the radar here. If you observed for 15 min at length you can see how each employee is not empowered on how to move forward, per task. FACTS: No, compensation for the absurd amount of trips from property to property or simply running mundane errands. (You do get a thanks) it's just assumed that it's on your dime nobody offers gas mileage. You are required to eat lunch onsite at your desk. All employees and guest must share ONE restroom on property. Forget it you didn't get a stopwatch and a computer to track your hours; dont bet on it matching the paycheck. And if you don't log your tips properly.. well, they go into money heaven somewhere??? I got scoffed at for asking about compensation, 30days of no payment. when I received a 1/4 payment I was greeted with, huge inconvenience and attitude. How dare I?? . After week two I knew this wasn't a substantial environment, In this day and age why on earth are people not getting paid electronically?? What's with the onsite check handouts?? I highly recommend skipping applying here. The safety is not regulated for staff nor guests, if it was, not once was it ever explained to me while onsite or any other guest. A paper is shoved in your face and asked to sign, with no explanation as to what you're signing. Questions or inquiry are greeted with an eye roll than your standard policies and procedure outline. Dont get me started on no HR presence or onboarding package. "Sink or swim." The more full transparency, and acknowledgement and are willing to be part of the team working long hours, the more of an outcast you become.

The atmosphere started off "awesome" (i'm being facetious ) I was told you're either in like a sorority or you're not! ..Hmm….good times.. NOTE if it seems too good to be true, then it usually is... This Is one of the Worst Places of employment I Have Ever Worked. They Actually Want People To Believe That This Is The Best RANCH To Work in Austin, Texas. (Which I happen to know, it is down right not crème de la crème ) The Owners and Management Will Do Anything To Make Potential Employees Believe That They Are A Good Company To Work For. (Should you pass the hazing) There’s Better Companies in Austin to work for That Appreciate Diversity, Pay Well, And Have Great Management, And Excellent Benefits! I suggest seeking them out! They Hire You and expect for you to know how it all works. Forget if you Are A Person Of Color or if You get sick. You Will Be Fired. The only good thing about Lone Star Ranch is the day you get laid off and you never have to return. honorable mention the majority of the staff are incredibly unhappy. Either wanting to quit or have feelers out elsewhere.

• this is not written by a unhappy disgruntled employee, rather one who would like you to see past all the glitters before visiting or signing on. * you have been informed....

First of all, if you consider the fact that this is a 600 acre working ranch and all that that entails, Just 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Austin, that in itself is worth five stars right there and I hope they are still around 100 years from now. Our company Held a conference in Austin, this fall (2022) and contacted the Lone Star team about hosting 25 of our most important clients and a few of our staff one evening as a way of thanking them for their patronage. I left a voicemail on the company’s main number and received a call back from an event coordinator at the ranch within five minutes. Erin began by getting an idea of our group, the dynamic and the size and the kinds of activities we might be interested in. She began explaining all of the different things the Ranch could do for groups of our size including sunset trail rides on horseback, archery and trap shooting tomahawk throwing catered barbecue dinners, s’mores by the fire, to name just a few. It almost sounded too good to be true! We divided our group into those who wanted to go on a horse ride through some beautiful country and those who wanted to do an archery/tomahawk activity. Arriving at a ranch with 12 to 15 strangers of varying backgrounds ready to ride off into a sunset on horseback doesn’t just happen. The horse and tack, saddles and stirrups etc Have to be fit for each person and the amount of prep work and assistance Erin gave me over the next few weeks in order to make sure the experience was exactly as promised was incredible. Then just to make her life a little harder, I added a full barbecue dinner to the contract the day before our visit. Guess what, she pulled that off too! When we got to the ranch we met other members of the team who would guide our two groups during their activities, tend bar for us during the entire event at the saloon (yep they have a legit western saloon!) And served us dinner By a roaring fire! Elisha (sp?) (sorry) and the team were amazing. We did so much and the food was top notch and perfect for the setting. People were blown away! I honestly don’t know how they do all of it and keep the prices reasonable. So when you read their amazing website and ask yourself whether all of those western romantic ideas and activities can actually be carried out in a way that leaves your most valuable clients singing YOUR praises for the experience, the answer is a resounding YIPYKAYAY!!! Thanks, Erin, Elisha, and team for an unforgettable night and Thanks Tina and the owners of this national treasure for sharing it with the public!! We will be back I assure...