Hideout Ranch - on the trails of our hearts

23/11/2023

"You were just too busy being fabulous..."

03/10/2023

Just watched Taza out on the track with his kid. His trot made the other riders sit up and take note. His canter made me cry. Truly. To see this horse out in the sparkling bright blue Arizona sunshine, flowing in all his painted majesty with the mountains as a backdrop is the most gratifying, satisfying feeling imaginable. The smile on his kid's face was priceless...

01/10/2023

Riches, Kachina, and Po Campo all had a full dental exam and work yesterday. Riches had two loose teeth pulled and a small fragmant removed. Kachina had one. (Of course, I kept them - why do you ask?) Po's mouth was in fairly good shape.

Apparently, as their teeth indicate, Kachina and Po are in their mid 20s. Riches I know without question is 27. China surprised me a bit. Still. They are all three in good weight again, with Pea needing just few more pounds.

My goal and full intent is to keep them all going as long as I possibly can. Kachina has a couple of the kids riding her, and Riches has also been out a couple of times. I have an Impact Gel pad coming for her as she has returned to her English roots. No more Western for Sambora's Riches!

The three boys - Orrin, Taza, and Red Cloud - are fat and happy. Each one is a blessing and I never take any moment with them for granted. Ever...

28/06/2023

Kachina sprouts a Bermuda beard, Po anxiously awaits breakfast, and Riches maintains a discreet, dignified distance...

24/05/2023

Orrin models his new rig...

30/06/2022

This spectacular image of Po Campo won 4th place at the Wisconsin State Fair recently. So proud of our precious boy...

29/05/2022

Cap. Oh, Cap...

01/04/2022

Craig would tell first-time riders this, in all seriousness despite the twinkle in his eye...

Where is the lie?!

27/03/2022

When your saddle slides right into place and you're back on your ...

15/02/2022

"And we rode our horses through Apache Pass, felt the spirit of old Geronimo." - Andrew Farriss

What a dazzling day to ride historic Fort Bowie. Hideout Horses Riches and Red Cloud, both walking the Butterfield Stage Trail for the first time, were ideal trail companions. What a breathtaking ride...

For anyone who hasn't heard the haunting tribute to Bowie and the incredible Southeastern Arizona history we ride, be sure to listen to "Apache Pass". Oh! Enjoy the video as well...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a8pIQo_lxMA

12/02/2022

Each and every Hideout Horse brought us love, joy, and a breadth of lessons we didn't know we needed to learn. So deeply grateful for each of them...

02/01/2022

Gathering photos for a Hideout Ranch photo book (more on this soon), I find one of Ike expressing himself up at the Waterfall...

24/12/2021

This is to those who understand without an explanation...

I found this poem on a friends page and thought it might touch a few of you. I hope you enjoy.

Along the Dusty Trail

This old horse, the Rancher said,
she’s seen some better days,
she’s eating up my profits,
and costs a lot for hay.

Another horse would suit me,
a stronger one at that,
shes seen a lot of miles
just like my cowboy hat.

This old horse, the Rancher said,
she helped me herd my steer,
I’m pretty sure shes magic,
I know I hold her dear.

Another horse would suit me,
one that can run fast,
maybe one that’s younger,
or maybe one that lasts.

This old horse, the Rancher said,
she’s long and far in tooth,
my children do remember,
her fondly from their youth.

Another horse would suit me,
a gelding in his prime,
one that needs less fixin’,
that helps me save a dime.

Why, they asked, then keep her?
why not trade her now?
bring her to an auction?
replace her with a cow?

The Rancher's brow grew heavy,
he took a staggered step,
his eyes did show his hardships,
in wrinkles, as they crept.

His breath, he took in deeply,
as he poised to say his words,
it’s as if the earth grew silent,
that his message should be heard.

This old horse, the Rancher said,
has given me her life,
I wouldn’t trade for anything,
nor either, would my wife.

Another horse would suit me,
and perhaps someday will come,
but this old gal, I love her,
she is the chosen one.

This old horse, the Rancher said,
her service she did lend,
her and I, have seen the years,
this old horse, she is my friend.

Another horse would suit me well,
but her home is here to keep,
I owe her sanctuary,
my love for her is deep.

Another horse would suit me well,
and younger days for me,
and I will keep my promise,
until our last breaths, set us free."

12/10/2021

In February of 2016, Hideout Ranch hosted a young man from Australia whose life was changed dramatically by tragedy. In response to the loss of a dear friend, Sebastian Terry created a list of 100 Things he wanted to experience and accomplish in his life in an effort to "be happy". He is lucky enough to help others experience and accomplish items on their own list. Going on a cattle drive made Sebastian's list and, luckily, he was able to find someone equally enthusiastic to play "cowboy".

Sebastian and Lou, along with an entire production crew, arrived at Hideout Ranch one Monday afternoon and the following 72 hours were a whirlwind of activity, conversations, eating, and story-swapping. Guy Kellogg, our friend and farrier, taught Sebastian and Lou to rope, then Craig taught them to ride. After a quick lunch break, we (at least a dozen of us on horseback) headed out to drive the cattle to the corrals. As usual, the cattle followed their own agenda, but eventually submitted to our insistence and streamed through the gate helping Sebastian and Lou check another item off their respective lists.

There are plenty of stories to be told about those 72 hours because we crammed so much into them. The best (and my personal favourite) was the one-upping story-swapping about horse "wrecks" after most of the crew had retired. Craig, Sebastian, Lou, Damian, Mike, and I sat around the table sipping adult beverages after a satisfying day and talking. Well, Craig won the story swap hands down, and (with coaxing) I would be happy to write about that part of the evening.

I urge all of you to spend time on Sebastian's site (100things.com) watching as he and amazing people tick unbelievable things off their lists, but pay particular attention to Episode #4 "Cattle Drive" on The Show tab. It illustrates perfectly who Hideout Ranch was, what we did, and how we did it. If you were one of our treasured guests, you'll recognise the horses and the Livery, the cattle and the range - and see Craig in his element. Believe me, it is Craig in his element.

Thank you Sebastian and everyone connected to 100 Things for this footage. What you do for people is magical. What you did for me in capturing Craig and Hideout Ranch is fabulous and you have my undying gratitude. It's an incredible ten minutes where you can Come Hideout... on horseback.
https://youtu.be/W4Wczzll_8k

START YOUR LIST NOW START YOUR LIST NOW 100things Online Course Join the

12/10/2021

Three years for our beloved to be teaching young vets. Miss him every day, yet know he is living the best possible life...

02/09/2021

Such a moving song about the Apacheria Wilderness area and its fascinating history - Cochise, Geronimo, Fort Bowie, among many legendary people and places. Andrew's evocative storytelling transports you back to those desperate days for the Chiricahua Apaches. Filmed on Hideout Ranch and at nearby locations, our beloved Echo, Chisum, and Cholo make their music video debuts, and we could not be more proud of their performances. There is also a touching tribute to Craig, Founder and Head Wrangler at Hideout Ranch.

Listen now and often. Add the amazing self-titled album by Andrew Farriss to your playlist. Watch all his fantastic videos bring the tracks to pulsating life as in this one for Apache Pass. We are honoured to share a love of this area with him...

​ ​ ​ ​Andrew Farriss releases 'Apache Pass'; from his self album, 'Andrew Farriss'Stream/download the Album here: https://...

22/06/2021

Living in their shadows was an honour...

Geronimo meeting with General George Crook to discuss the terms of his surrender. March 27th, 1886. Cañon De Los Embudos (Cañon of the Funnels), 20 Miles SSE of San Bernardino Springs, Mexico, in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Photo by C.S.Fly.

21/06/2021

His face...

21/06/2021

Tonka was one of our Original Hideout Horses. Craig had purchased Tonka and Clavo together years ago, each incredible in their own right but phenomenal as a team. As Pensioners, these amazing animals had the run of the ranch, as Tonka demonstrates with impunity. Tonka, Clavo, Sambora, Calvin, Peppy - they deserved to fully enjoy their sunset years...

19/06/2021

Living in the homelands of these people...

Chiricahua Apache leaders in prison at Mount Vernon Barracks, Alabama. (L to R) Chihuahua, Chief Naiche (Natchez), Nana, Loco, and Geronimo (Goyathlay). Photo from 1887-1893. Source - National Museum of the American Indian.

15/06/2021

Famous Shoes looooooooved being out in the bright blue Arizona sunshine, skimming through the wash, waiting to beg some lunch...

01/06/2021

01/06/2021

01/06/2021

01/06/2021

“Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher

In August of 2016, life at Hideout Ranch – life for me personally – changed abruptly. My beloved Sambora left this world at 32 in the kindest, most peaceful way a cherished first horse could leave. This momentous event was followed closely by losing Warner, my darling, enormous nine-year-old Black Angus steer, to whatever sudden illness or event took him. Compounding these blows mere days later were the violent yet purely random deaths by lightning of Wyatt, 10, and Logan, 14, two of our star geldings in the absolute prime of their lives. Despite the pall cast over the ranch with the loss of four treasured, much-loved animals in brutally rapid succession, Craig and I soldiered on through the heartache.

Then, barely six months later, Craig lost his longer-than-he-let-on battle with cancer, and life changed again – in an even more extreme way. But I soldiered on. Through the heartache. Through the confusion. Through the decisions. Through the constant that is change.

Since losing those four animals, certainly since losing Craig, countless things have changed for me, for the animals, for the ranch. Things also changed for the guests as Hideout Ranch became a “Western Bed & Breakfast”, instead of a “working cattle and guest ranch”. Of the 42 horses here when Craig was, three remain – Riches, Kachina, and Orrin. Of the eight donkeys, it is just Po Campo. Rucker is the only dog. The goat herd numbers 10 instead of 16, and even the Prisoners of Azkaban have been reduced in number. The absence of cattle is palpable.

Life does not ask you if you want it to change. Life doesn’t give you warning or notice, and certainly not an opportunity to negotiate. Life changes, then challenges you to play the cards it just contemptuously flipped at you.

For these coming-on five years, I have played those cards. Sometimes well. Sometimes poorly. But I have played them. Every day. However, as the late Kenny Rogers sagely counseled, you have to know when to hold and when to fold.

And when to walk away…

To say this is difficult is an impertinent underestimation. However, it is time both the ranch and I take an uncharted, albeit forked, trail. The physical ranch has been sold and will assume a new identity with a fresh purpose, while I ride toward a different horizon to continue honouring Craig’s passion for guest-ranching, for teaching people about horses and for living the cowboy way. “Hideout Ranch” will come with me in name and spirit, remaining firmly in our hearts as we continue to ride together in our memories. The website will be revamped to reflect the perpetuation of Craig’s legacy. The “Hideout Ranch” social media presence will undergo some adaptations, as well, but you’ll be always be able to follow Rucker’s adventures, as well as the Inmates, the goats, and of course, Po Campo and his horses.

Hundreds and hundreds of guests may have come in under the crossbars as strangers, but they left Hideout Ranch as friends, as family. We were privileged to be part of honeymoons and bachelor parties, family vacations and mother-daughter bonding excursions. We taught novices about horses and helped horse owners revise their perspectives. We rode mountain trails, then came home and switched tack to school on the flat and over fences. We went “bushwhacking” and discovered the most stupendous vistas and breath-taking landscapes. We loped across the Parade Grounds and raced the washes at Bowie and Granite Gap. We were the stuff of reality shows and music videos. We cooked together and hungrily enjoyed the fruits of our labours. We went “cowing” and got dirty being “real” cowboys. We talked and shared, listened and laughed. We spent countless hours together in person and stayed in touch while apart by every means available.

We also cried to pull away from that last hug, to see tears pool in reddened eyes, then slide down already-stained cheeks. Craig would go through a type of withdrawal after spending sunup to well past sundown with guests for days and days. Me, I would rattle around in the void, trying to explain to the horses why that nice lady or gentleman, those loving, affectionate children were not there to let them through the gate anymore.

Craig always said the horses were the heart of Hideout Ranch and the Red Dog Saloon its soul. However, I’ve learned through these past years that, irrefutably, Craig was its essence. He was the cowboy everyone came to ride with, sit on the porch with, stand around the grill and joke with, pop open a Bud Light and quench a thirst with. Throughout the guest ranch industry, people come west to ride with a cowboy. Unquestioningly, Craig was our cowboy and people loved riding with him. When the trail looked especially challenging or at the top of a particularly steep climb, he would turn in his saddle to look at the guests and say innocently, merry blue eyes twinkling beneath the wide brim of his hat, “Remember, you chose to follow me.”

And follow him they did…

We had amazing people work with us over the years, people our guests embraced as their own. Our generous guests have gifted us with mementos, treasures, and treats. Each one left a piece of themselves here with us, and we surely sent part of us home with them.

Even before Craig and I met while working at a guest ranch in the Dragoons in the early 2000s, he wanted to own and operate his own guest ranch. He wanted to ride the trails he wanted to ride, the way he wanted to ride them. He wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and he wanted to employ horses to reach them, to teach them, to set them free. Hideout Ranch was Craig’s dream, his vision, and I was phenomenally blessed to help him build it. They say “behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town” or other states, in our case. Every moment spent working thousands of miles away was worth it to see him ride with guests, zip around in the Gator feeding the horses, listen to him tell stories in the Red Dog, see his river blue eyes mist over when visiting singers would sing his favourite songs. I helped my husband live his dream – what an honour for me to say that.

We had an amazing go here at Hideout Ranch – both as a full-on working cattle and guest ranch then as a Western Bed and Breakfast, providing respite and refreshment from the rigors of travel or simply a refuge from the harries and hassles of life. I am deeply, truly, eternally grateful to everyone who made the years I had here so memorable and precious.

As Craig loved to say, I will “catch ya later on down the trail…"

23/05/2021

Kachina at White Tail, gold among the gold...