Tag Archives: R Lazy S Ranch dude ranch review Wyoming

2 WRANGLERS AND ME… (the BEST way to ride!)

First off, before I tell you about my day, I wanted to tell you about the BEST pair of jods/pants/riding tights EVER. I got them just before I came on this trip!

NO AFFILIATION. I’M JUST SAYIN’ – LOVED MY NEW TIGHTS!

Goode Rider Full Seat Designer Seamless Tights (no affiliation). Comfy Spanx for riders! I’ve worn many riding pants… and these were SO COMFORTABLE, I may never wear anything else again. I’m sure I will wear them again tomorrow. I felt like I was wearing air. AWESOME. They were just the right weight, I wasn’t hot or cold, they had no seams to bunch, they stayed in place, had very complementary contours (like Spanx for riding) and the sticky part was perfect without having the leather heat or bulge.

I have a bunch of other riding tights, but these win. Hands down. Good job, Goode Rider!

You can purchase them from Riding Warehouse through this link. (No affiliation other than the Riding Warehouse benefits the Bucket Fund.)

Very, very happy.

Here is a pic of me wearing them in ‘dark pewter’ (almost olive greeny grey) and then some better shots from the Goode Rider website.

This is my leg… I love the contouring of the material. Like Spanx for riding! Amazingly comfortable, attractive and secure! Goode Rider full seat tights!

I actually used that little pocket to hold my phone under my shirt. But it is really only big enough for keys or a chapstick. The sticky seat part is very subtle, but it does the job well!

This is a good shot of how they work. I love these. I would like a few pair and only wear these unless it gets really cold. I was super comfy all day!

OK, ONWARD – MY DAY!! FIRST, THE BREAKFAST RIDE!

The morning started out with a lovely breakfast ride. Petunia was quite pokey and slow so I spent a bit of time concerned over her. (As a testament to the R Lazy S wranglers, when I voiced my concern, they pulled her from the string and tested her feet, shoes and legs. Yay! She was fine. She probably just didn’t sleep well.)

Here are some pics from the Breakfast ride:

A lovely Ranch breakfast…

There was a photog there and this photo is of the kids here during this week. We all took photos while he was taking photos.

Then the photographer asked all the kids to ‘jump’!

LUNCHTIME… I spent time with the horses

I love to watch the horses… so at lunch time, I walked over to the corrals.

The resident mini donks!

A new gate. (The background looks fake, doesn’t it?)

Fence construction. (That is Freckles on the approach…)

Interesting.

Freckles came over to me… I know his name was ‘Freckles’ because his halter said so…

Closer…

He came right up to me and we chatted.

Some of the horses whose work was done for the day… All fat and happy.

This mare came right over to me and sniffed my neck as I was taking a photo of the other horses. So, I took her photo, too! These horses are happy!

I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT I HAD THE INCREDIBLE GOOD FORTUNE TO RIDE ALONE WITH 2 WRANGLERS AFTER LUNCH!! MY PRIVATE WYOMING.

Sometimes, Lady Luck spills her drink on you and sometimes she twirls you around the dance floor. Today, I got the Dancing with the Stars version!

I have no idea how the ‘wranglers to guests’ are chosen, but I ended up being the only person who wanted to go on a ‘trotting’ ride after lunch. So, while all the other guests either walked or loped, I got to have a private tour of the Park with 2 of my own wranglers.

It was glorious and epic.

We trotted and trotted and went wherever we wanted and for longer than usual. I took a ton of photos and languished in the beauty. I was drunk with awe-inspiring scenery on horseback.

It. was. the. best. (so far). Here are pics.

The other riders look so small… gives perspective.

That is ‘Rob’ the Wrangler. He was in front. “Charlie” was behind me. LOOK at this valley!

Gorgeous

Could you imagine living in this house?!

Another gorgeous meadow…

And another. The entire afternoon ride was a spectacle of Mother Nature at her best.

After my ride, I sat on a swing and waited for Hubby to come in from his ride. Seems like a backdrop and not a real place.

This is me, sitting in the swing waiting for Hubby. Gloves off, helmet off, PEACE. Loved the day!

Your purchase with Riding Warehouse through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

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DAY ONE… R LAZY S RANCH!

Day 1.

As I write this to you, I’ve just showered and am sitting on our fabulous, fluffy topped bed while the entire herd of guests (including Hubby) are watching the kids play kickball. Now, you have to imagine, the adults are sitting on a lovely wood deck beneath the Grand Tetons while the kids are playing on a huge, green lawn below the Tetons.

Normally, this probably wouldn’t interest Hubby nor I, however, it is SO MUCH FUN to gab and joke with all of our new friends from all over the country. I can still hear them all cheering and hooting… and Hubby just came into our cabin to get his guitar so you can imagine all the fun that will be happening out there soon. I know the wine and stories are flowing. New best friends…

I think the total capacity for guests is 46 (including kids – who have their own wranglers). Looking down the rooming list, there are people from New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, California, Alabama and Virginia.

We woke up to morning fog. It was beautiful.

MY HORSE

I’m on Petunia. She is an Arab cross who was born on the ranch. Her trot is lovely. That’s all we’ve done so far. I’m trying to make friends with her and I think I did because she slimed my new shirt when I dismounted after the morning ride. I’m sure I was just the closest scratching thing but I took it as a sign. ;)

Speaking of slimed shirts… have any of you used the new UV technology shirts? They are supposed to help you not get sunburned but also let air flow through?

Well, I purchased one (on sale – we love Riding Warehouse) and wore it today. What I liked was that I had long sleeves but the underside was mesh so it was cool. What I shouldn’t have done was wear a tank under it. I was too warm. So, if you get one of these Ariat Tek sun protection shirts (or any other brand), don’t wear any layer underneath.

Anyway, I was speaking about Petunia… I heard that they called her “Petunia” because when she was born, she was all pink. Now she is all white. And a bit plump. But, as I said, her trot is to die for.

We will lope (canter) tomorrow so I’ll report back.

Petunia (my view)

Hubby’s view of Petunia (Note my boots. Love them.)

TODAY’S RIDES

On the first day, the wranglers split us up into small groups and take us on valley rides – just to have us get to know our horses and gear.

I wish I could bring my own saddle… but other than that, I love my horse.

On a lark, earlier this year I purchased a secondhand sheepie for Western saddles. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it did! The stirrups go through the sheepskin panels. I’m so happy!

So today, we rode along the Snake River (which was glorious – my favorite) and we rode through the meadows. I really cannot express the beauty here. It is God’s Country. The rides are not about trotting or galloping – they are about the scenery. Just absolutely glorious.

Now, I want to stress that these horses are in great shape and fed very well (and rested when needed)… so you never really need to think about your mount. This leaves all kinds of time for chatting, observing or just communing.

I kept forgetting to take photos! Today we were riding along the Snake River. I love that the best!

MY GEAR MISHAPS AND WINS

I love my new boots!!! It took me years to give up my Mountain Horse boots. I wore them out – literally.

And, I have always thought Ariats were too narrow for me.

But, I purchased (again from Riding Warehouse – linked below) a pair of Ariat zipper paddock boots and LOVE THEM. So comfy! Warning: I did have to go down an entire size… but they are glorious. (Official name: Ariat Barnyard Side Zip Paddock Women’s Boot s)

My mishap was with my ‘Da Brim’ visor attachment for my helmet.

Now, I really don’t care what others say about my gear, so the fact that I received some gentle ribbing (‘flying nun’ comments, etc) was fun. But, when a huge gust of wind came while were were vigorously trotting, the Da Brim flew off! The horse behind me didn’t flinch, but it could have been very interesting. So, for me, I wasn’t too impressed with the Da Brim. However, the wrangler said that he sometimes ties them on with a scarf when it is windy. (And perhaps I didn’t have it adjusted exactly correctly.)

These new Ariat zip boots are the bomb! So so comfy! But I did have to get an entire size smaller, fyi.

They are short boots, which I like because I have short legs. These are a 5.5 and I normally wear a 6.5.

I CAN HEAR THEM ALL CHEERING…

So, as I write this and search through my photos of the day, I can hear them all cheering and having a grand old time. I will finish this note to you, drink a very tall glass of water (high altitude) and go to sleep.

I almost hate to have one day gone already… but so much more fun and beauty to come!

The vistas take my breath away. For this reason (and many others), I come back.