White Stallion Ranch

Our family visited White Stallion Ranch during the 2024/2025 holidays. We are experienced horse riders (owning our own horses) and have traveled to many guest ranches throughout the US. We were really looking forward to this trip, but unfortunately White Stallion did not deliver on the most important factor for any dude ranch vacation - its horse program.||Before I get into the "not so good", let me share all the things that were great. ||The food is really outstanding. 3 meals a day, buffet for all meals, with "made to order" breakfast upon request. Their desserts and cookies were to die for.||The staff is exceptional. Front desk, back of the house, owners and everyone in between are friendly and professional. I want to call out Liza for her special attention during our stay.||There are tons of activities to choose from, other than horse riding. .22 and larger caliber shooting, hiking, e-bikes (you MUST offer more slots for this), craft sessions, a petting zoo (huge), basketball/tennis court, a full honor bar (the prickly pear margaritas are excellent), a game room equipped with pool table, air hockey, ping pong, rodeo and more. Nightly entertainment was some of the best we enjoyed at any dude ranch vacation, including a roping show (amazing!), live music, critter show (very informative), casino night and line dancing. There is never a dull moment at White Stallion...||Unfortunately, the horse program needs a lot of work. During our stay (10 nights), 6 people were thrown from horses with injury. My horse spooked (literally 100' from the stable) and rolled me off on the first (slow) ride of our vacation. Unfortunately, that was largely the end of my horse riding for the trip and really any other activities for that matter. I will say that the staff was very attentive, offered first aid, and even drove me to the hospital on 12/25 when I realized this wasn't minor injury (ended up being a fracture). They also provided a sizable refund for my portion of the trip, which was really kind and unexpected.||The issues with the horse riding program are as follows:||1. One wrangler to 12 or more riders - this is not a safe practice. |2. Inexperienced horse riders loping and doing advanced riding like cattle sorting.|3. Some experienced wranglers, but many volunteer wranglers who were pretty green and even the most experienced wrangler can't handle 12+ riders on his/her own.|4. Spooky horses - as I mentioned, 6 accidents in 10 days (that I know of). Some due to spooky horses, but several due to inexperienced riders on fast rides, hanging on for dear life.|5. No horse orientation or intro session - first day, you get on your horse and go.||The ranch does require a "lope test" before it allows riders on fast rides, however I watched one of the tests, and after 3 attempts, the wrangler just let several riders go, even though they had no horse control whatsoever. This presents a dangerous situation for even experienced riders, because it only takes one out of control horse to create major stress for the other horses, who will then spook and flee (this is their natural instinct).||If you are considering White Stallion for varied activities, this is the vacation for you! If you are planning to spend most of your time riding, you may want to consider another property. I dismissed a few other reviewers who advised that the fast rides were pretty dangerous, and I would suggest you take heed to this and those reviews if riding is your primary priority for your vacation.

a month ago

We just got back from WSR and had the best time ever as a family of three with our daughter Layla turning 10 at the ranch. Photo's do not do this place justice- You have to see it with your own eyes! I cannot say enough good things about our experience- my only complaint- 5 nights was not long enough!! We re-booked for later this year upon checking out.||Regarding the review about safety below- The OP has a good point that accidents can happen in any risk taking activity and inexperienced riders should be wary. We sign a waiver acknowledging that we could get thrown/injured on the horses. These are the risks we take as humans every day of our lives in different ways. I witnessed NO horses throwing riders, I witnessed NO accidents or injuries- nor did my husband or 10 year old daughter who advanced from slow to fast rides to the 1/2 day ride while at the ranch. Take your time. Take the lessons they offer. Accept the risks you choose to take.||Mom/wife in cancer remission perspective: Just go. Book the trip. Take advantage of all the activities. Eat all the food. Listen to the birds. Ride the horses. Life is short and fleeting and the only things you can take with you in the end are the memories.||Thanks WSR for the memories!|Assaker Family

a month ago

My wife and I spent 3 nights here and really enjoyed it. Riding out into the desert was a highlight for us. Our room was spacious and well appointed. The self-service bar and lounge were lively and ranch themed. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful, as were the other guests. The food was good and no chance of going hungry. I would highly recommend White Stallion.

5 months ago

We come here as a family again and again! The staff is very friendly, the food is great and they have always been great about our special dietary needs. The landscaping is beautiful and it draws enough birds to do a little birding! As a family we ride horses, play pickleball, basketball, pool, swim, shooting and archery. We have also hiked, gone rock climbing, and participated in a falconry demonstration. The day ends with live cowboy songs around the fire, line dancing, or a painting lesson. What can I say, we love White Stallion Ranch.

4 months ago

This is an amazing place!!!! The people are all warm and committed to ensuring guests have a fabulous vacation. The landscaping is gorgeous. The horses and all activities are excellently executed. I cannot say enough positive about this place. Highly recommend if you want a special vacation.

4 months ago

We had a SAAA EVENT there and it is a beautiful property all around. Horses for riding and wonderful grounds for walking. Good food and friendly staff. If you want a real western experience. The history is rich and they have made a lovely oasis there. We'll definitely be back to check out the rooms sometime. If you have a mobility problem you can have a motorized riding chair delivered to the Ranch and picked up when your done . Perfect for getting around. It was ordered at Mobility Plus.

5 months ago

Had the best time at White Stallion Ranch! I can see why people come back here year after year and come next year I will officially be a repeat guest!!! Horseback riding!!! Amazing! We did the beer and Cheetos ride along with a breakfast ride with a fast ride extension!! Both were great with amazing horses and food and wranglers!!! Food!!! Amazing!!! Next year we will enjoy even more food on the ranch but everything we had was great!!! Room!! Was also great!! Only thing to note is that there are not pool towels and you need to bring your room towels or robe. We didn’t know this and had to dry off in the sun. Happy Hour!! What a fun time for an hour each day sharing experiences and memories on the ranch!! I can’t say enough about WS Ranch!!! Truly a magical experience!!! 🐴❤️🐴❤️

5 months ago

Not having visited for 30 years, I was very pleasantly surprised that despite having increased its room numbers the convivial atmosphere and expansion of activities has not dimmed this extraordinary experience in anyway. I found my first visit so memorable I was determined to return whilst I could still walk and talk. I’m glad I did and was still able to enjoy a variety of riding experiences and non riding activities whilst meeting the most delightful fellow guests. The hands on Owners actively engage with the ranch and guests, backed up by the most tremendous staff. With so many dude ranches having fallen by the wayside due to land develop it really is a credit to the True family that they keep the dream alive for those of us who want to experience the Western riding way. ||I deliberately booked the holiday to miss the US Spring Break holiday but was unaware there is a public holiday from the north east of America called Presidents’ Day. The ranch was full but it is so large with so many diverse activities that this did not impede our holiday at all and we had the opportunity to meet a wide variety of fellow guests and families who were extremely sociable and friendly. ||This is an exceptional family friendly, well run, delightful dude ranch. They have won numerous awards and I am not surprised. ||The riding is exceptionally well managed for those who have never written before to the more experienced rider who wants a challenging ride. “I can ride a horse”. Be sure that you really can ride a horse if you embark on a FAST ride, despite the ‘lope test’ which everyone has to do before they do a fast ride. As an experienced rider of numerous years standing I can tell you it is hard and fast and not for the nervous or faint hearted. The ground is very different from the soft green turf we ride over in the UK. The ranch horses are clearly used to their terrain despite it being hard underfoot.||Here are some tips I hope some international travellers, particularly those from the UK, may find useful.||I booked my trip through the UK firm Travel Planners which I’m very glad I did or I would have misjudged the amount of time needed to go through immigration when you first land at your first changeover airport in America. The luggage has to be collected when you first arrive at your first airport but is swiftly redirected by airport staff as you walk out with it. ||Immigration went smoothly but do allow plenty of time, several hours, in between flights if you’re booking your own flights. On the return journey we checked our luggage in at Tucson and it went straight through to London. The ranch included a lift to the airport (with our holiday package) but we only just squeaked our bags on in time with our international luggage. If you’re on an international flight, get the ranch to let you leave at least half an hour earlier than they suggest. The check in of international luggage at Tucson airport closes at least an hour before your time flight. We only made it with minutes to go! ||If you’re flying British Airways checking in online is a pantomime. The ESTA is attached to your passport and there is absolutely no mention of it when you are checking in online and we found which boxes to tick very confusing. Good luck with that one. And of course, make sure you have your ESTA! Easily done online at a small cost which you need to do at least a week before you travel.||Depending on your package, the ranch will pick you up, as they did from our excellent Double Tree hotel in downtown Tucson. We are glad we added in a couple of days to recover from our journey in Tucson and were able to take in the annual rodeo which was fabulous and use the free public transport. We felt safe on the buses in the daytime despite several folk afflicted with various social problems who ‘ride’ the buses all day. The general public don’t seem to use the buses that often but we’re glad we did.||The website for the ranch does not seem to mention the fact it has very useful LAUNDRY. It’s a very small payment to use the washer, dryer, and free use of iron board. This is a very handy addition for international travellers so that you don’t have to pack too much.||As to what to wear, most ride in jeans and short boots. We felt quite comfortable in our UK style riding jodhpurs (and riding helmets due to our insurance, read your insurance small print!). I also purchased a detachable sunbrim for my riding helmet from Australia which was very useful as the sun will beat down on you. Fortunately, there are early morning and early evening rides as well.||We were very lucky with the weather in February with cold nights, chilly mornings and evenings requiring a fleece and sunshine all day.|The temperature averaged about 23c in the daytime and was perfect with blue skies.||It is also worth noting that there is a professional photographer several days of the week who will take action shots of you out on rides which you can then purchase.||There is very well stocked Ranch Shop, so if you forgotten anything from jeans, to riding gloves to gilets, jackets and sunscreen you can buy these items at the ranch. The only thing they don’t seem to sell are riding/Western boots and it may be worth while the ranch stocking a line of those as well. The Boot Barn shops in Tucson will sell every bit of Western riding clothes and stetsons you could possibly wish for.||Personally, I found the pillows on the bed absolutely ghastly - they are Hotel style machine washable ones and some come out nobbly, so I wish I had taken my own pillow. It would’ve been well worth the space in the suitcase! I took one of my nobbly pillows to reception and the night manager, a delightful lady, went straight over to the laundry room to find something a bit more comfortable. I still wish I’d taken my own though! The beds are high with high mattresses and personally I didn’t take to them - but they were reasonably comfortable.||There are some bathroom toiletries provided such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser and soap. A good supply of towels, boot cleaning towels, local information, a hairdryer, dressing gowns, with rooms serviced daily. There is a shower in a very low height bath and it worked very well and was not slippery despite there not being a shower mat.||I do hope the ranch can run to buying a new toaster for the dining room as it was very slow and would benefit from being replaced.🤣🤣||The bar runs a self service honesty bar with a great selection of drinks all very reasonably priced. The social hour in the bar at 6 o’clock with canapés was much look forward to before dinner at 7 pm.||Great Hot Tub and lovely pool, so don’t forget your swimsuit.||I tried several new activities such as shooting, which I never thought I would ever do! I thoroughly enjoyed it and found I was quite a good shot (possibly to the surprise of the mainly young lads) as the tuition from the ex military expert was superb.||The food, hospitality, friendly expert wranglers, amazing staff, with host of activities for riders and non-riders of every age, sound horses allocated on riding ability (YOU state your ability, so be realistic), picturesque setting with on-site Owners keeping a steady watch make this a ‘truly’ remarkable Western riding experience. Thank you for another great riding holiday, which despite the overall expense was well worth every single penny. I will aim to come back within another 30 years!

a month ago