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Rancho del Oso offers riding for those who demand the most out of life, identify with horses, and delight in riding rugged country most riders shun. Riding with the Oso can mean long hours in the saddle, helping out with camp chores, sleeping under the stars and world class riding memories that will last a lifetime..
Riding with us can mean sharing a campfire with the most primitive Indians of North America, sharing their trails and slowing the pace to visit with them and the rugged mestizos who inhabit remote ranches in the Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) region of Mexico. This region is a hundred years behind the times, a place where narrow trails enter mile-deep canyons, where corn is ground on stone metates, and where riders survive by their wits and not by rules and regulations intended to protect and isolate you from real-life experiences. The Rancho offers a variety of riding experiences starting with Ride the Canyon, which begins with day rides out of the hotel and culminates with a descent to the very bottom of the Canyon. Riding times on this trip vary from 3-6 hours per day, this ride is suitable for virtually any experienced rider. The Easter Ride is similar but includes important Tarahumara Indian celebrations with many of the Indians painted to represent devils! You can see some pictures of this celebration in our photo gallery. The Canyon Crossing is for experienced mountain riders only. It includes a descent to Urique followed by a cross-canyon ride to the famous silver town of Batopilas. Riding times range from 3-7 hours per day and our trail maps show the route. The Silver Trail Deluxe is the same ride but starts in El Paso, Texas, and includes the border crossing, hotels, and all transportation to and from the Ranch.
Central to our success is our herd comprised of Spanish Barbs, quarter horses and mountain mules. Barbs came to the Americas with the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. They formed herds of Mustangs in the West and are the foundation stock of most American breeds. For readers wishing more information we recommend Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg's outstanding article in Conquistador. Also see Melissa Sais' story in the June 2001 issue of New Mexico Magazine.
Often underestimated, hardy mountain mules form the heart of our herd and have converted many horse fans into mule riders. They eat less, drink less and are more surefooted than horses. Their bouncy gait takes a few minutes to get used to but these hybrids will spoil you. We prefer mules ourselves and ride them whenever possible.
In the Copper Canyon region, mules, horses and mountain trails provide the only means of communication for remote ranches and pueblos. Our riders follow El Camino Real and other trails dating back to the Spanish conquest. Trails are frequently shared with burro or mule pack trains, fleet-footed Tarahumara Indians walking to distant villages, riders wanting to share the time of day, and mestizos hiking to town.
But the Oso offers more than just great
riding. Our key people have done horse packing in both the U.S. and Mexico.
Packs are U.S. commercial grade, first aid and medicine kits are brought along
for both humans and our four-footed friends. The food we serve is the finest of
any local outfitter and typically includes tender beef, rainbow trout, and
traditional Chihuahua cookouts. |
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All material is copyright 2000-2008 by Barranca
de Urique, S.A. de C. V. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
