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horseback rides at the stables

Horses at Black Butte Ranch in Sisters Country Oregon

About Black Butte Stables and Trail Rides at Black Butte Ranch

Professional wranglers from Black Butte Stables have been leading trail rides during the summer at the Ranch for over 18 years. Before each trail ride, wranglers teach a short lesson on the nuances of horsemanship and then guide you through high meadows and old growth wooded trails adjacent to the Ranch.  Horseback rides through forested trails go out several times a
day during the summer.

The Black Butte Stables is located at the front of the Ranch, just south east of the entrance at 13892 Bishop's Cap, behind the General Store.

Dress the part-long pants and sturdy boots or shoes should be worn and riding helmets are provided.  

For details and schedule, see Black Butte Stables or call 541.595.1297 or 541.280.4891.

Parent Powered Lil Buckaroo Corral Rides

Run daily 12am - 12:30pm. Call in the morning to check availability. $15 per ride - cash only

*Parent powered Little Buckaroo Rides are available daily during the summer, except on Wrangler Day Camp days, generally Friday and Saturday. Parents (or guardians over 18) lead kids ages 3 and up on experienced horses in the arena. These horses have been fitted with pony saddles just for the kids. Both the parent and buckaroo should wear sturdy boots or shoes. Be sure to bring a camera!

Wrangler Day Camp

This one day horse camp at the Stables at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon near Sisters is held on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer. The day begins with a short horse riding lesson, evaluation of rider strengths, safety training and horsemanship lessons.  Once completed, horses are assigned to participants and there is a group riding lesson in the arena, followed by lunch which is included in the participation fee.

After lunch is a trail ride through meadows and forests adjacent to Black Butte Ranch. When the group returns to the Stables, students get to decorate their horses with braiding, ribbons and glitter gel to prepare for a mini horse show for the parents. Don't forget the cameras!

*$75 per person. Space is limited to 5-12 riders, ages 9 and older. Bring your friends and family - a minimum of 5 riders are needed per camp session. Wear riding attire- sturdy shoes or boots and long pants. Helmets are provided for safety.

Call 541.595.1297 for details and reservations.


Black Butte Stables History - Horses at Black Butte Ranch resort in Sisters Country Oregon

Stables Continues Ranch Tradition

A family’s love of both Black Butte Ranch and horses has been instrumental in maintaining a top quality riding facility at the Ranch. Alfred B. “Barkey” Herman, Black Butte Ranch property owner since 1971 and past chairman of the Black Butte Ranch Association board. was an accomplished horseman in his youth and was an active horseman throughout his life. Barkey believed that any ranch worth its name should have horses, so when the previous concessionaire pulled out, leaving the stables facility vacant and Black Butte Ranch without horses and horseback riding for a season, Barkey founded Black Butte (Ranch) Stables in 1988. Barkey’s son David took over the reins at the stables after his father’s untimely death in 1993.

Each spring the herd of colorful and friendly horses are trucked to Black Butte Ranch from their winter pasture. Most of the horses work at the stables during the day but all of them are turned out in the Big Meadow and or Glaze Meadow in the late afternoon to graze. Not only is the sixty head wrangle in and wrangle out a spectacle that is much anticipated and photographed, watching free horses interact from the Big Meadow bike path and nature trail is also a favorite evening activity of homeowners as well as guests.

Over one hundred thousand guests have been hosted at Black Butte Stables over the last twenty years of operation at Black Butte Ranch.  In addition to being one of the few recreational riding facilities open to the public, the excellent quality of the horses, the friendly knowledgeable trail guides, a program focused on safe horsemanship, learning and fun, has earned Black Butte Stables recognition from Western Horseman Magazine, local newspapers, horse magazines as well as patronage from the many guests who travel from all points to return each season.

Each summer the Herman Family has promoted a community service event in which the entire family participates in giving a fun and free program to local youths who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the horse experience. David, Sandra, Alex and Laura spend the entire day planning and participating in a fun filled program where local youth get a accelerated course in horsemanship. The enthusiastic response from this program has sparked many new ideas for the coming seasons to add new venues for the riders well as the spectators.

In addition to half hour beginner rides, hour rides, two-hour rides, and half-day rides, Black Butte Stables is the exclusive US Forest Service trail guide permittee for the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington Wilderness Areas. Wilderness experiences can be a spectacular day ride to a week in the back country. Lessons are available by reservation. Black Butte Stables will be open Memorial Day weekend, rides will be offered by reservation in June and daily from July 1 through the end of Labor Day weekend.