SHORT TRIP HORSES

Vacationers, Hunters & Trail Riders - Horses are the quickest, easiest, and most enjoyable way to see the backcountry or get your camp in and you to the elk or fish. We offer gentle saddle and pack horses for lease by the trip or by the season.  We can also supply riding and pack equipment or wall tents and camp stoves. We deliver to your favorite hunting area or have  Horse Trailers available for lease by the day or trip.

We screen every new horse on our own backcountry trail course, The Ultimate Horse Course.  These horses are qualified.  Let us recommend the right horses for you, then come to the ranch to ride with us and your preview your new horses.

We have excellent trail horses available for Short Trips throughout the year. 

A Short Trip is appropriate for those using horses for less than two weeks.

All Short Trip lessees MUST complete a HORSEMANSHIP & PACK SCHOOL prior to a backcountry trip with our horses, or show proficient horsemanship in lieu of a session. Schedule a pack school with our office prior to your departure. NO EXCEPTIONS.

SHORT TRIP RATES:
Horses must be picked up and returned during daylight hours.
 
BACKCOUNTRY PACK OR HUNTING TRIP (up to 14 days): $500 per horse
This includes an afternoon Backcountry/Pack School! *See details below.

STANDARD SHORT TRIP (up to 14 days): $400 per horse
(For returning clients, non-backcountry use, or those who do not require the Backcountry/Pack School):

EQUIPMENT: $75 per set.
This includes a complete set of either Riding or Pack gear.
Riding includes Saddle, Bridle, Halter w/Lead, Pad
Pack includes Sawbuck Pack Saddle, Canvas Pack Panniers, Pads, Halter w/Lead.
 
ONE DAY RENTAL - includes tack if needed: $125

WEEKEND RATE (up to 4 days) - includes tack if needed: $300 per head

OTHER RENTALS:
Wall Tent & Wood Stove $125
Saddle Panniers $25
Cabin Rental $100

SHOEING: Your short trip horses will have suitable shoes.  If you need new shoes ($75) or ice shoes ($120), call ahead. 

DELIVERY: No charge for loads of 10 head or more within 250 miles of Three Forks, MT.  $2.50 will be charged per loaded mile for deliveries OR retrievals of less than 10 head or for mileage further than 250 miles of Three Forks. Whenever possible, trucking will be prorated or eliminated when two or more loads can be combined.  We deliver to the end of paved roads, weather permitting.  An additional charge of $50 per hour is charged for gravel road time.  NO DELIVERY IS PERMITTED ON NATIONAL FOREST.  

TRAILERS: We have bumper-pull 4-horse trailers available for lease.  $80 a day, or $400 for up to 14 days.

OUT-OF-STATE:  $40 additional per horse leaving Montana.  This includes a Coggins test and health inspection OUT.  Horses leaving Montana for more than 30 days will require re-entry permits – arrangements and cost to be handled by lessee.  CANADIAN HORSES - ask us.

A $2000 security deposit is required of all new lessees.

INJURED OR DAMAGED HORSES:
Horses returned with wither sores, kidney sores, cinch sores, or malnourished so as to be temporarily unusable - $400 penalty.  Death or permanent injury - $2000 per horse.

Signed Lease Agreements are required to reserve horses, accompanied by a down-payment of 1/3 of the total lease fee. 
The balance of the lease fee is due upon receiving horses.

* Our Backcountry Horsemanship & Pack School is designed to properly familiarize you with your lease horses and equipment and to prepare you and your party for your backcountry trip with our horses.  It  is mandatory for all new lessees going on a backcountry pack or hunting trip.  Plan a day ahead for this, it's really essential to help you enjoy a pleasant and worry free trip into  the backcountry. We'll fit your equipment, show you basic packing (including tying the double diamond), riding, horse handling, trailering, feeding, game handling, and camp set-up.etc. 



If you would like to participate in one of our Backcountry/Pack Schools outside of a scheduled lease, just give us a call.
We conduct these great clinics regularly (cost:$175 per person)