lonesome spur

look at the dates of the previous reviews.It needs some catching up with now in late 2014. We were 3 pensioner ladies all riders. we had to save for this trip. The owners were not there to help us as Lonnie was very poorly after surgery Elaine had gone barrel racing. Although Lonnie picked us up from Billings he informed us that he had a doctors appointment and would have to drop us off at a store. we were there nearly 2 hours, after our long trip from England we wanted to see the horses and ranch. The horses were good, but quite a few had fungal infection where the girth went,no wonder they had never been washed., we tried to clean our bridles but were told not to, we tried to pick out the hooves, but were told not to. We had only a small bar of soap, no other toiletries, no welcome pack, and no water bottles for the ride the next day to go in saddle bag.The one hot tub was broken, the other one smelt terrible and you had to use upturned orange box to get in it, it was situated next to the kitchen with rubbish at the side of it,NICE!The pool table you could not see as there was things piled on top of it, but nobody told us where it was anyway, I only found it as I needed to find the washing machine, no one told us where that was either. it was a matter of have a look round as see what you can find!!!!!The meals were not good, we were looking forward to home cooking, No there was none of that, one morning we were told that we could only have 1 rasher of bacon, as no body had done the shopping. The horses had this happen I day we couldn't feed them as there was no horse feed, until someone went to fetch a bag.We did meet some lovely people that made our stay pleasurable Nicky was great, Glen was entertaining, Brad was a gentleman, And Jane was just great, if she hadn't have been there we would have been lost. As they advertise WIFI there was none.The list goes onWhen Elaine came back from barrel racing she asked us if we wanted a go GREAT we thought.we were told to be ready at 4pm down at barn. 1and half hours later at 5.30 Elaine turns up saying she had fell asleep. Is this the way you treat paying guests, I DONT THINK SO

this holiday was a disappointment as some things were not as i expected. both owners are no longer young. lonnie was in a lot of pain so understandebly we saw little of him.elaine was competing barrel racing so only saw her at the end of our stay, hacked out 1 time with us. we went on 2round ups only.so not much work to experiance...one evening were supposed to do barrel racing at the ranch. we got the horses ready and hung around eventually got message from lonnie it was cancelled, because it looked like rain. it did,nt. again i think he was too crook to appear, the brochure said welcome packs of toiletries,drinks,snacks. only a tiny bar of soap?also in brochure, dutch oven cook out, and visit the mares and youngsters. this never happened.2cooks in the canteen. meals poor the eggs were hard and dry, coffee ghastly, one day bacon had not been delivered, yoghurts poor cheap so tried one had 2trash, one day elaine cooked and was huge inprovement!!11 puddings were written as sumptious??????????????????? most evenings it was ice cream, cup cakes shop bought, oh dear. i paid a lot of money for this trip, i am a pensioner.my other riding holidays in india,sri lanka, turkey, portugal,jordan were excellent value with lots of hours on horse back, i feel i have been cheated this time. the owners need to really be around to check paying guests are getting value. 2spas were advertised, one was broken, the other smelt stale.tack was not cleaned, no hoof picks to check feet of horses! i guess i am used to a higher standard.i wish them luck in the future, but they should consider a representative on the ranch to look after our interests. shirl spratley

My best friend and I have just come back from a week at the Lonesome Spur Ranch, and I have to say I have had the best time of my life. Elaine and Lonnie opened their home up to me and made me feel so very welcome. The riding and scenery is out of this world, rode around the hill and saw the mares and foals, moved cattle in the lush terrain of Nicky's "Jolliette", spent two days herding cattle up the Pryor Mountains, and a day in the arid terrain of Cotton Wood. Pizza and pool night at Buckeye!!Brad very kindly to us into Wyoming to a tack shop, and out for ice-cream then off to the 4th July celebrations in Red Lodge and then on to the Rodeo. Mexican for dinner.The food is tasty and wholesome, and the pack up lunches where perfect.The horses are amazing, and the ranch caters for all riding abilities. BUT this is a working ranch, so expect hard riding, long days depending on where you are going, and early mornings...horses come first. I have made some great forever friends. I will be returning, that is for sure. A HUGE THANK YOU to Elaine, Lonnie, Glen, Brad, Nicky, Barry you are all awesome.

everything, Montana, Wyoming, the ranch, the horses, and the people i have met. the people of Bridge are very nice also, and Lonnie and Elaine

Thank you once again to Lonnie, Elaine, Mike and Luke for a great holiday.I have been lucky enough to be travelling to the Lonesome Spur Ranch for some years now and it gets better and better.I would like to point out here that this is a Working Ranch and not a guest or dude ranch. I go to experience a working ranch which includes everything and I mean everything! From catching and saddling the horses to rounding up and moving cattle sometimes being in the saddle for 8 hours. There's branding in the spring and sorting in the Autumn so very hands on work. Hard but not fast riding however when out on a pleasure ride there's plenty of opportunity for 'cantering'. we get that opportunity to when learning to 'team rope' in the arena which is great fun.As to the ranch itself its come on so much since my first visit. You can stay in the big house, the Bunk house or the cabins. I like the big house. All of them are ranch furnished and are very homely with there own facilities.A welcome basket awaits you with fruit and nibbles which I replenished when out.There's fresh bedlinen and towels for those of us lucky enough to be there more than a week you just ask. Eating is in the main barn and Mike as ever served up great food and plenty of it. The only time I had to put my hand in my pocket was on off ranch activities such as the rodeo which happens once a week through the season. We went out at least three times a week in the evenings, the rodeo, Sunday evenings meal at the local bar, paid by the ranch, and at least one trip down to the Little Cowboy Bar and its museum, a must.If you go at the right time of year there's the Indian ride over the land that Custer rode on the way to the Battle of the Little Bighorn and you get to sleep in a Tepee!! A great experience riding the Indian ponies with Indian guides. Now the most important thing, the horses, there great all standards are catered for and unlike some ranches you get the chance to ride different horses although there are favourites!!!All in all a great holiday although there's lots going on there is time for yourself even if its just sitting on the veranda looking a the views or taking a walk up Schwend Hill.Please do try it but remember its a working ranch.

Good rancher, good horses, but no attention to guests. None of the advertised activities were available, no cow work, only nose-to-tail riding. The host was nowhere, not even having supper with the guests.We left after three days of a planned six day vacation. Too bad after a long trip from Europe.

A stunning location and wonderful rides so can't say I didn't enjoy the holiday - The ride with Cathy and Kevin the absolute highlight and the most wonderful people - felt safe and confident in their company -However the organization and general facilities left a lot to be desired - Cabins compact and poorly furnished - lack of drawer/hanging space, not cleaned during stay, no change sheets or towels - not all on suite and if unlucky enough to get one cabin you will have to share bathroom with anyone who happens toneed to use it as it is located within the cleaning store and not locked! Food average but depends if another new chef is in situIf you want something ASK for it -there appeared to be a hierarchy of guests - some who got more attention as known and others who were left to their own devices when not on a long ride or cattle drive - no alternatives arranged or apparently thought about.Appreciate that 'working ranch' but you have paid a lot of money and entitled to certain standards

On our arrival in Billings airport after 3 flights in total from the uk we were a little nervous as the only communication id had with the ranch was through email and as id not booked a holiday that wasnt with a travel company! We were then picked up by within minutes and taken to the ranch,was a pleasant journey with gud conversation. We were then greeted by Elaine (owner) who was very welcoming. The accomodation was just as we'd hoped comfortable beds,clean and spacious room,welcome basket filled with hot and cold drinks,snacks and fruit.You have to walk up across a field to get to the lodge,but theres often somebody around to drive up so u wont ave to walk 6 times, all the meals are served here and theres plenty of it. Mike the chef is a great character and always has a smile on his face. the food was lovely-homely dinners like roast buffulo from the ranch!The nx day we went for our first ride. the horses are really pleasent all geldings and kept as a herd so you dnt get them kicking out and each other. Ajax and Herby were our favourites.The nx three days we then rode in pryor mountains,herding the cows dwn for the winter. Its very long days in the saddle a short day being 3/4 hrs!!! The drive up to rthe mountains was a drag taking an hour each way but if your lucky enough to travel with skyler,a wrangler,he will keep you entertained with his singing!If your not happy with your horse or would like to try another they are happy to change or let you try another.We also had a go at barrel racing which was really good fun!It is a working ranch so you do have to catch your horse,feed,groom and tack them up yourself and pick up after them,and you dont ave the luxury of choosing where to ride etc.everyone makes you feel very welcome and you will leave feeling like you've been visiting family!

We were very excited by this holiday and although we had a good time was it the holiday of a life time - no. If you are going for a comfort filled holiday forget it. Accomodation is comfortable but basic, a chair in our room had been mended with tape and a throw put over it. We had to empty out own bin in our room. We stopped at a Wal Mart on the way to buy drinks and snacks to have in our room. I thought I had paid for all inclusive!! All riders were in one group from very experienced to complete novice so on some rides we did nothing but walk, was a little nose to tail. Skylar, Carter, Jack and Doyle were great very patient and helpful but there seemed to be a bit of tension between some of the staff! Food was basic and a little repetitive. If you want to go out you need to say, although we did feel that one trip we wanted to make to see the wild horses was a chore, we were late leaving - waited for half an hour to be collected - drove to the range, drove around, stopped once, came back saw thre horses 200 yards away. With not very good grace by the driver. Did we enjoy ourselves yes was it the holiday of a life time no.

A truely warm welcome from pick up in Billings, 'cowboy' shopping and a great ranch experience. We went with 3 children (18, 16 and 14) of whom 2 were riders. All levels of riding proficiency catered for and there was never any cajoling...... I was a poor rider and apart from pulling my leg no bad comments can be made. Was also able to visit Yellowstone NP (not included) see wild horses, rattlesnakes and visit a Rodeo in Cody, Wy. Getting up early ( I was paying !!!) is the only sore point but the rest of the family just told me to stop whinging !Elaine, Lonnie, `Jack and Carter are great hosts and we are planning a visit in winter-time.

I had a fabulous time at Lonesome Spur. Lonnie, Elaine, Jack and Carter welcome and involve you so that you feel like family rather than a guest. Home worries rapidly become a distant memory as the ranch weaves its magic. I got to experience ranch life and got a better understanding of horses and how to work with them. They have a lovely team of horses and match you to a suitable four legged friend so that you can confidently ride the beautiful montana scenery. You also get to visit and ride on the crow indian reservation which is a real privilege. If you are lucky Carter will risk life and limb and enter the Rodeo adding to the excitement and tension of the rodeo scene. In one short week I did so much that each night I fell into bed happy and exhausted. I would recommend lonesome spur to anyone who is looking for an adventure on an authentic working ranch.

Just want to say thanks to Lonnie and Elaine for another wonderful holiday in Montana.As you can see from the photos's we had mixed weather but it was such fun to ride in the snow to find the 'lost cattle'!I can't wait to get back in June to go on there 'Indian ride' following the route Custer took and to meet up with old friends.June sooms along time to wait but its worth it.Jane Derbyshire

Had been planning my trip to lonesomespur ranch for 2yrs Lonnie & Elaine make u very welcome the horses are very good the scenery brilliant, we were there for two weeks and didn't get to c the wild horses or do the barrel racing most of the time we were cattle herding up beartooth mountain long hours of riding (5) don't expect a lie in up 6am everyday. Food was good except packed lunches was cheap bread processed cheese/ham not must fruit or veg available, got taken out twice had to pay for food when all inclusive! for 2wks the sheets weren't changed or towels the TV never got repaired the holiday was good but not worth the money Pope Sept 2008

We have just returned from The Lonesome Spur Ranch and can only describe it as an unforgettable experience. So much so, that we re-scheduled our flights and stayed an extra 3 days! (It would have been longer but we had to return home to work)!!It is a working ranch so be prepared to turn your hand to anything. If you want to know what the schedule is going to be days in advance, this is not the place for you. Activities can change from day to day depending if another ranch needs help moving cattle or to take part in a round -up for branding. You look after your horse from getting it in from the corral, brushing and tacking up and helping to load/unload from the trailer. We were privileged to take part in several round-ups where the Ranchers treated us with the upmost respect, curtesy, and thanked us for our help. However it is not all physical work and Lonnie and Elaine are more than happy to take you to the shops for boots, a stetson, or for pressies to take home. The Montana scenery is breathtaking, whether it is the vast plains, the Beartooth and Prior Mountains or Cottonwood Pass.Elaine and Lonnie are wonderful hosts, and are always on hand if you need advice, or just want to pick their brains about the cowboy way. The food was fresh, home made and plentiful cooked by Pam who can only be described as a wizard in the kitchen. And what can we say about Brendan, the wrangler. He was always on hand, never critical and had the patience of a saint!! The horses are fit, sure footed and well cared for. The Horses are chosen to the riders ability and we both fell in love with ours and wanted to take them home.We met some lovely people which made the holiday even more special and we hope to stay in touch and meet up with them at the ranch in the future.It is a testament to Elaine, Lonnie and their staff (and horses!) that we were planning our next trip back before we got on the retun flight home.Susan and LucyThe Two Scots Girls Argyll Scotland

My best friend & I are experienced riders and had been promising ourselves a ranching holiday for years. We didn't want a 'dude ranch' but a proper working ranch where we could learn something new - and this was it!All the staff were great and made us feel part of the family. We had fantastic cattle horses who taught us all about riding challenging terrain and herding steers. We also met a great bunch of like-minded women with whom we will keep in touch and maybe meet out there again for another action packed holiday.Don't expect to follow a set itinerary - neither cattle not the weather can read! If you just want to gallop about a bit and shout yee haa, then pick a dude ranch - this is a real working ranch with real people, real cattle and real working horses! Fantastic!PS there's also a hot-tub and massage service!