OklahomaHorses Magazine November 2023

24 OklahomaHorses • November / December 2023 not been ridden before, and if the riders were upright when they returned to the ranch, they would be bona fide cowboys or cowgirls. The only guarantee we made was to promise that they would not walk out the same way they had walked in. Although some rides challenged me, I can honestly say that I never had a bad ride or a bad guest. I laughed in commis- eration when I saw a guide working hard to get riders to quit letting their horses eat while trying to get in line and up the trail. The guide would get everyone turned around and he would head out, only to turn around at the lack of hoofbeats to find all the riders scattered and back in the grass in all directions. He appeared to be herding cats, not horses! We housed nearly 100 horses during the peak season, saddling 50 to 60 each morning. We offered a three-hour morn- ing ride and two afternoon rides, both lasting two hours. Private rides lasted four to four-and-a-half hours. The horses were well cared for. Everyone on staff worked extremely hard to give guests great rides and great memories. Guests ranged from age six (insurance policy) to 93 and from all walks of life from all over the globe. The natural beauty of the forest (1.8 million acres) includes spectacular views from summit points for riders to enjoy. These overcame the many unforeseen chal- lenges that came up on the ranch during the first year for the new owners and swept away the stresses of our riders. The staff rose to every challenge. We all made dreams come true … even when our riders least expected it. The Best Day It is hard to tell which was my most mem- orable ride, but this one is right at the top. While getting horses and riders matched up, a question was raised prior to a young fella’s arrival about his supposed 47-pound weight. Later, his father told me the boy was their miracle child. He had been born early and would have chronic lung issues for life. During our ride, I heard the boy say repeatedly, “This is the best day of my life. This is the absolute best day of my life.” Everyone at the Diamond P made that possible. But that boy was on my ride, and I was his guide. There is no greater reward. For more information about the Dia- mond P Ranch, contact https://thedia- mondpranch.com. Sunrise peeks over the horizon at the Diamond P Ranch near West Yellowstone, Montana. Horses wait in the pen for the first rides of the day on the dude ranch. Photo by Kim Redo. A red kit fox and a horse stare intently at each other. You never know what you might see on the trail at a dude ranch. Photo by Kim Redo.