colbert ranch

Can't say enough about the time we spent here. Professional, authentic and friendly. Our guide Joe was exceptional. Would love to come back next time we are in the area. Great for riders of all kinds - certainly for beginners just looking for something fun and different.

Fun and exciting Christmas weekday of Texas Hill Country trail riding @Colbert Ranch for my family of 9 in spite of the "winter challenge" of keeping warm in late December ~ This was one of our planned sports activities for our family of 9, who were in Austin visiting us from Chicago and the several Mid-Atlantic states during Christmas week. We 'luxuriated" in a Spicewood vacation house during the holiday, so the drive to Colbert Ranch in Bertram took us about 1 hour via Marble Falls and beyond. (Make sure you have a full tank of car gas; after leaving Marble Falls, TX, there's nothing, no services ~ it's as though you're out in the middle of nowhere! ~ until you arrive in Liberty Hill, beyond Colbert Ranch.) We were cordially greeted by ranch owner, Patti Colbert and her 2 adorable ~ very talkative ~ young granddaughters + their 2 friendly shelter cats. First up, donning the cowboy, helmets, or riding hat apparel, if so desired. Then Patti and ranch wrangler, Joe, explained the trail ride and San Gabriel River lunch spot along the way, and before we knew it, we'd saddled up our pre-chosen horses and headed out on the trail after a horse safety overview. It was cold eating our lunches but wrangler Joe's winning manner and wonderful afternoon serenade with his guitar playing kept us all in "warm spirits". Really fun experience. For 7 riders including the 2-hr ride & lunch (homemade sandwich bread!), our total bill was $961.{Also, we added an optional $40 tip for the 2 wranglers.} My parents stayed behind at "ranch headquarters", which is fully equipped with kitchen, a sitting & table area, and clean restrooms. Patti offered them coffee, and they were "amused" by the artistic paintings of the youngest grandchild and one affectionate shelter cat, "Jingle Bells".

Nice horse ranch. Gentle horses and experienced wranglers. Good experience for inexperienced riders. If in summer, go in morning when cooler. Bring hat and closed toe shoes.