Horseback Riding in Wyoming

Horse Speak® Haltering Clinic

Overview

Take advantage of a specialized opportunity offered by Horse Speak® co-founder Laura Wilsie to learn how to teach the youngest of the herd who call the Bitterroot Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming home. This ranch is home to over 200 horses of various levels, breeds and ages and  located in the beautiful Wind River valley, bordering the Shoshone National Forest, just fifty miles from Yellowstone National Park.

Horses at the ranch are relatively untouched until they start to be trained at the age of 4. The participants of this all inclusive retreat will learn from Laura as they begin the process of teaching the young horses to be haltered, led and handled. This is a rare opportunity to apply Horse Speak’s gestures, postures, and signals to help these horses learn the basics of being lead-forward, backward, left, and right as they begin their riding ranch career in a few years. You will be taken on a journey of learning the principles of Horse Speak to help these youngsters with this critical foundational education that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. There will also be opportunities to be with mamas and babies and walk amongst the large horse herd at liberty.

If you need to take a break from your everyday obligations for a private getaway or want to bring someone with you – (they do not have to like horses; there are plenty of other activities to do), this is the vacationing learning experience for you. In addition to the enriching training sessions on the ground, retreat members will be able to go on 3 guided trail rides in the varied surroundings of the ranch. Optional activities include Yoga, Hiking, Square Dancing and attending a local Rodeo.

Guests stay in comfortable log cabins on either side of the river which are situated for privacy and to afford magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Meals are taken in the main lodge and particular attention is paid to the cuisine and wines served.

  • Overview:
    There are over 120 riding horses on the ranch, consisting mainly of Arabians and Quarter Horse crosses (14-16hh). The Arabian horses are raised and trained exclusively for the use of the guests, who often like to visit the mares and foals. The ranch also has some excellent Welsh ponies for children. The horses are trained western and are used to being neck reined; they do not go on contact. All guests are asked to post the trot and to stay in two point or galloping position for the canters and when climbing hills. This is important to us as it keeps the horses from getting sore backs. Those who do not comfortably adapt to riding in this manner will be kept on slower rides.
  • Equipment Required:
    Helmets are required, there are some available to borrow.
  • Horse Breeds:
    Arabians, Quarter horses and draft crosses
  • Trip Pace:
    Slow to moderate, to suit riders
  • Tack:
    Western saddles with snaffle bits
  • Weight limit:
    The ranch has a limited number of horses for riders over 180 lbs.
  • Hours of Instruction:
    5 per day
  • Instruction and Training:
    Laura Wilsie is the Co-Founder of Horse Speak and the Business Manager for Wilsie Way Horsemanship. Utilizing her many years of business management and customer service experience, she keeps the ball rolling behind the scenes. Her lifelong love of horses was re-ignited when she started volunteering at a local horse rescue, adopted a PMU filly and met Sharon Wilsie, the Founder of Horse Speak. She has been with Sharon since the inception of Horse Speak, traveling to every clinic and training since the book’s inception in 2016. Laura has worked extensively on editing all three books, is the executive producer of filming for Horse Speak and has assisted Sharon in Teaching. She knows Horse Speak inside and out!
  • Types of Instruction:
    Centered Riding Instruction, Clinics and Lessons, Horsemanship Skillbuilding

There are no separate activities planned for non-riders, who can take advantage of this unique location to fly fish, hike and visit with the ranch animals. With a rental car the town of Dubois is about 40 minutes away.

Hadley teaches four flowing yoga classes a week in the ranch’s yoga yurt, Monday and Wednesday afternoons, Friday mornings, and Saturday afternoons. The classes are designed to stretch the muscles that typically become sore during riding. They are friendly for people without much (or any!) yoga experience, but they also offer something to the more experienced yoga practitioner.

At the ranch. We can provide details for services for transportation from the Jackson Hole airport or the Riverton airport.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Sunday: Arrival at the ranch in the afternoon

Day 2

Monday through Saturday: Workshops with Laura on the ground working with young horses. Three afternoons will offer separate guided trail rides.

Day 8

Sunday: Depart the ranch after breakfast.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

Departure Dates

Trip Starts
Trip Ends
Jul 28, 2024
Aug 4, 2024

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $3,550

  • Single Supplement
  • $300

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Do you have questions about this ride itinerary? Do you want to make sure that this it is the right ride for you? Or are you ready to book? Please call or email our experienced and friendly ride consultants for more detailed information. With first-hand knowledge of the exciting tours we offer, the ride consultants at Equitours look forward to answering any questions you might have

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1.800.545.0019

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Contact Hadley Fox

The reason I chose Bitterroot was I wanted to become comfortable on a horse and ride most of the time. Each horse offered a new challenge, but provided a feeling of safety. The lessons were excellent and instructions simple. All the different abilities in the family were catered for.

Maxine and Mike Hill