Grapevine Canyon Ranch Additional Programs
Learn about the enthralling days just decades ago in this truly historic area. From the ancient people of the Dragoons Culture, to the Chiricahua Apaches with Chief Cochise and Geronimo eluding the United States Cavalry, to outlaws and renegades, this was a turbulent land. Come, see where it happened... come step into the past.
- Sunday - Check in after 2:00 p.m. Get settled.
- Monday - Your weeks starts with a Morning Orientation trail ride. Then, an afternoon visit to the world famous Amerind Foundation, with its fascinating display of old Indian artifacts.
- Tuesday - You'll ride horseback through the Chiricahua National Monument, also known as the "Wonderland of Rocks", where the Apaches used to retreat in troubled times.
- Wednesday - Enjoy an all day ride to Cochise Stronghold, impregnable long-time camp of the Chiricahua Apache.
- Thursday - Follow the famous Butterfield Trail on horseback to the ruins of old Fort Bowie, built in the 1860s to protect the traffic along the California Highway. Ride by the site of one of the most famous Indian battles of this area, in which the California Volunteers defeated a mighty Apache host by unexpectedly using howitzers.
- Friday - You'll have a vehicle trip to the unique Military Museum in Fort Huachuca, the oldest continuously operating military fort in the USA. (Only available to citizens of the United States.) On the way back to the ranch, you'll visit world famous Tombstone, as well as get a brief look at three genuine ghost towns - Courtland, Gleeson, and Pearce.
- Saturday - Join us for an all day or morning trail ride - or just rest and relax and remember everything you've learned.
- Sunday - Your morning ride culminates with a cook-out ride, then good-bye till next time!
Horse Camp....
"Introduction to Horsemanship"
"The goal of a good horseman is to become so sensitive to the entire horse, to the movement of its body and how the horse thinks, that the rider can sense trouble, anticipate exactly how the horse will react, and move to control that reaction even before the horse is aware of its own feelings." - Dorothy Moore Jasper, Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Book
Are you a rider or merely a passenger? A horse owner or a horse slave? A wise horse purchaser or a horse trader's dream? Are you buying your veterinarian's Rolls Royce? Attend our Horse Camp, and become an informed horse owner. Your horse will thank you!
Many people approach purchasing a horse in much the same way they approach buying a puppy. They don't realize a horse - besides being a significantly larger animal - has a mind of its own and its own unique agenda. Throughout this one week program, we'll present a great many highlights of horse ownership - and some of the pitfalls.
During Horse Camp at Grapevine, we'll discuss the following:
- What to look for in purchasing a horse - ideal conformation and temperament
- Horse etiquette and handling - proper approach, handling, and grooming
- Basic horsemanship - how to control the horse, how to communicate
- Horse health management - necessary inoculations, worming program, when not to panic, and when to call the vet
- Equine nutrition and shelter
- Farrier science - examples of a well-shod hoof and a shoeing demonstration
- Theory of saddles and the correct way to pad and saddle
- Theory of bits and bridling
The rate for Horse Camp is $390 (plus 6.1% tax) per person in addition to the weekly rate.
Minimum of 2 people required. If just one person wants to sign up we will try to fill the other position.
Horse Camp is offered on the following dates:
2008 |
2009 |
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| June 16-20 | August 18-22 | January 19-23 | July 20-24 | ||||
| July 21-25 | September 22-26 | February 16-20 | August 17-21 | ||||
| March 16-20 | September 21-25 | ||||||
| May 18-22 | November 9-13 | ||||||
| June 22-26 | |||||||
If you have questions about our Horse Camp - email Adam at barnboss@gcranch.com
3 days
Ride in the morning
Spend the afternoon with the Barn Boss covering 3 topics of your choice:
- What to look for in purchasing a horse - ideal conformation and temperament
- Horse etiquette and handling - proper approach, handling, and grooming
- Basic horsemanship - how to control the horse, how to communicate
- Horse health management - necessary inoculations, worming program, when not to panic, and when to call the vet
- Equine nutrition and shelter
- Farrier science - examples of a well-shod hoof and a shoeing demonstration
- Theory of saddles and the correct way to pad and saddle
- Theory of bits and bridling
- Private Riding Lesson
- Vetting
- Loading a horse correctly - trailering
The rate for Mini Horse Camp is $252 (plus 6.1% tax) per person in addition to the daily rate.
Minimum of 2 people required.
If just one person wants to sign up we will try to fill the other position.
Mini Horse Camp is offered on the following dates:
2008 |
2009 |
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| June 23-25 | August 11-13 | February 9-11 | August 10-12 | ||||
| July 14-16 | September 15-17 | March 9-11 | September 14-16 | ||||
| June 1-3 | November 2-4 | ||||||
| July 13-15 | |||||||
If you have questions about our Mini Horse Camp - email Adam at barnboss@gcranch.com
“I loved Cow Camp! The two days our family spent with Adam and Butch, the cows, and the horses, and with each other, will be remembered and cherished forever. We laughed, we played, we challenged ourselves and each other, we worked together and told stories-it was simply the best.
Riding Western was so much fun, especially on the ranch’s steady, well-trained, forgiving horses. We learned how to cut a cow from the herd, put them into a pen, and push the group to a designated destination. We learned about roping which the kids were far superior at performing!
The food, the scenery, the fellowship-all awesome. Adam and Butch are great teachers, they complement each other well. We just had so much fun and want to return-now! Give yourself and your family or friends a gift that you will all treasure.”
Elaine R. Walters
Cow Camp Nov. 2007
Cow Camp – Learn how to cowboy
We have had participation in our cattle round-ups for many years now, but this program is different. Here you will learn how a cow thinks, how she can be persuaded to see it your way – how to pen cattle, how to run them through the cattle chute, and how to herd them across country. The first day or so is spent in learning “cow talk” – where do you stand, what do you do, how do you get her to see it your way. Then there is the actual “cattle work” – learning how to influence a cow’s thinking, how to get her to move here and there. When all that is under your belt, it’s time to put all this in practice, by trailing the cattle across the ranch to a neighboring set of corrals. There you will find out just how much of an art roping a cow can be. After feeding all the livestock, you spend the evening around a campfire, eating steak and beans, then bedding down in a tent. Next morning, feed the livestock, enjoy a camp breakfast, and then hit the trail for the return journey. The aim of this whole exercise is not so much to get the cattle from point A to point B, but rather to learn how to do it – to learn how to outwit a cow, who, owning (we believe), a lesser brain, and without benefit of having been to college, can yet outwit lots of cowboys and make fools of the best of us!
Cow Camp - $175 per person
- Minimum 4 / Maximum 6 people
- Must pay in full for Camp when making reservation
- Non-refundable unless minimum requirement not met
Arrive at Grapevine on Sunday or before
Day 1 (Mon) – Teaching Day
- Eat breakfast, lunch & dinner at Grapevine
- Gather cattle and herd into corral at CL
- Show how to sort and handle the cattle
- Teach roping skills
- Gather camping gear
Day 2 (Tue) – TASK: Move cattle…
- Breakfast at Grapevine, pack lunch and dinner at campsite
- Ride to cattle corrals
- Move cattle to corrals at Middle March
- Set up camp
- Practice roping skills
- Discuss general cattle ranching information
- Cook dinner
- Relax and enjoy being a ‘cowboy’ (‘booz’n & BS’n)
Day 3 (Wed) – TASK: Move cattle back to Grapevine Canyon Ranch
- Breakfast at campsite; lunch on the trail, dinner at Grapevine
- Break down campsite
- Bring cattle back to ranch
Dates for Cow Camp
2009 |
January 25-29 February 22-26 March 22-26 April 26-30 May 3-7 November 22-26 |
Come ride Round-up with us!
Every May, October and November...
Spaces fill up quickly so make sure to book today.
The dates for 2008 Round Ups are:
October 20-21st (FULL!)
& November 12-14th
The dates for 2009 Round Ups are:
May 12th-14th, October 5th -7th & November 15th-18th
Several times a year we need to gather our cattle and bring them into the corrals for various “works”. In May, the baby calves are branded and vaccinated, in October those same calves, now grown and ready to move on, are sold, giving the cattle ranch its once a year paycheck, and in November the mother cows are pregnancy tested, vaccinated, dewormed, and turned out back to winter pasture.
It’s a lot of fun working cattle, and we’d love to have you join us. We prefer you to be a return guest of the ranch, as we’ll be familiar and comfortable with your riding ability. If you have not been a past guest at Grapevine, it is absolutely necessary for you to check in at least two days prior to round up, so we can test your riding, you do your "lope check", and we’ll be able to ensure we've assigned you the right horse and the right job.
There is an additional insurance premium charge of $50 per day plus tax in addition to the accommodation rate. Call 1.800.245.9202, or email info@gcranch.com for availability and more information.
Available October, November, and March-through-June...
Join us on a pack trip in the rugged Dragoon Mountains, once home to the fierce Chiricahua Apache. After a day's ride through their old camping and hunting grounds, we set up our camp in a picturesque canyon, then enjoy a dinner of steak, beans, and all the fixin's cooked over a campfire. Later, we relax under the twinkling stars and listen to the lonely howl of a coyote, the sounds of the horses jostling each other on the picket line.
In the morning, the smell of cowboy coffee and sizzling bacon wakes us, ready for another day's adventure.
Price is $100 per person per night out, in addition to the accommodation rate. Minimum fee is $300 plus tax. Call 1.800.245.9202 for availability or more information. Pack Trips must be booked in advance.
Please mention when making your reservation that you would like to sign up for a pack trip.
Pack Trips are offered on the following dates:
2008 |
2009 |
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| June 12-13 | October 30-31 | March 5-6 | June 4-5 | |||||||
| June 26-27 | November 6-7 | March 19-20 | June 18-19 | |||||||
| October 2-3 | November 27-28 | April 23-24 | October 29-30 | |||||||
| April 30-1 | November 5-6 | |||||||||
| May 21-22 | November 19-20 | |||||||||
| May 28-29 | ||||||||||
Rock Busters
Jan. 11-17 2009
If you don't mind hard work and want to enjoy getting 'down and dirty' then ROCKBUSTERS is the group for you! We have limited space for a few brave hearts who come to the ranch at a 40% discount and clean trails, move branches and rocks and spruce up our horse trails while you ride. Ride for pleasure on Sunday and enjoy the lunch cookout. Start clearing trails on Monday. Enjoy the accommodations, the meals, and the special friendships made during the week. It can be hard work, but it is also great fun!
Senior Days
January 7-10th, 2009
55 or older and must bring your sense of humor
20% accommodation discount
Must call (800) 245-9202 to make reservation
**If you try to book on-line, the dates will be blocked out, so you must call
If we do not have at least 16 people for senior week by Nov. 1st we will open the ranch up to other guests.
Some of the Activities – more coming!
Short or long horseback rides
Hot tub and ice packs provided
Senior “Welcome” gift bags with all the items to “survive” the week
Bingo Night with “prizes”
Dominos Available
Horseshoe Tournament for those with the strength
Pool Table – Ping Pong – Darts
“Killer” Spoons Game
Horseback Games
Bird Watching – Star Gazing
Hiking Trails
Friendly Staff!
Form lasting friendships
