Wonderful hosts, horses, food and all together adventure for us, city slickers! We loved it and were amazed every day by the sunsets and the sunrises. And those bedrolls were amazingly comfortable and warm.
I just returned from a cattle drive at Burnt Well. Before this trip, I did a ton of research as I wanted an authentic cattle drive experience, not one where riders went out for a few hours and returned to their hotel rooms at night. This is the only cattle drive I have ever done but I cannot imagine a more authentic experience than what Burnt Well offers. Sleeping in a cowboy roll under the stars, meals cooked in dutch ovens, winding down with a drink campfire side, no shower for several days all make for a truly unforgettable trip. Guests are put to work so expect long hours in the saddle and to get your hands dirty helping to care for the calves. Patricia and Kim, and their entire family, are amazing hosts who truly open their arms to guests and make you feel like part of their family. This trip and their hospitality will forever be one of my fondest travel experiences. Do not miss out on this incredible adventure!…
Kim and Patricia were amazing hosts. Starting with great communication, continuing with great guest interaction (ensuring we could find it and making sure we got the most out of our stay) which resulted in a stay that will ensure we return. The Casita was perfect for my family of 4. Thank you!!!
This was our second Cattle Drive at Burnt Well; it will not be our last! This is a true ranch experience. It's hard to pick a favorite part of the trip; from the lodgings (teepee, Bunk House, Casita), the meals, the hosts, the horses, the cows (except for number 624--she was a little stubborn LOL). Everything was great! Even the experience of waking up in the teepee with temps outside in the teens and several inches of snow. This isn't the dude ranch from City Slickers; it's a real experience!
My husband and I had a great time at Burntwell, riding horses and rounding up cows for preg testing. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was great! We enjoyed it so much we made reservations to go back in May for castrating and branding calves.
Where to start - if you're looking for a resort Western experience then this is not for you... if you're looking for the a true cattle drive then book with the Burnt Well Ranch. As a family ranch, you will be welcomed into Kim and Patricia's home with open arms and shown some true Western hospitality. The Cattle drive itself is not a typical trail ride as it involves long days in the saddle (7-8 hrs typically) but if you want to be driving cattle across the New Mexico plains then this is the one for you. Don't worry if you aren't an accomplished rider (I hadn't ridden for 40yrs) as Kim will have the right horse for you. You'll certainly be ready for the home cooking on open fire back at camp, meeting new friends around the camp fire (and discussing the right way to hold your fork.... you know who you are Cody 😂) and the bed rolls will keep you snug as a bug at night. All in all one of the most memorable experiences we have had.…
If you've ever dreamed of being part of a cattle drive, Burnt Well Ranch can make that dream come true. The Chesser family offers all the ingredients needed for a great adventure: great horses with hours of riding daily, camping every night on the trail, great food, and of course cattle to drive. The ranch is comfortable with excellent food and friendly people. The camp has teepee style tents, cowboy bedrolls, Dutch oven cooking, daily campfires and clear beautiful skies. The horses are well trained and cared for. This is not a dude ranch resort or hotel, but a real working ranch. This is the place to get dirty being a real cowboy/cowgirl, working side by side with cowboys who know what they're doing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned so much. The fiddle music around the campfire was icing on the cake! Southwestern hospitality at its best!…
My 11 year old daughter and I made our second visit to Burning Well this year because we enjoyed it so much last year and because the week spent there had been so good for Izzy's riding skills and confidence. It was the same again this year - she was able to do so much more than in the more restricted atmosphere of the riding school here. She had a blast again and loved every minute of her stay - as well as the great food! She came away another step up in riding ability. And I really enjoyed myself too!
Burnt Well is not your typical vacation. It is an unparalleled opportunity to live on a working cattle ranch and be part of a team. I have always wanted to stay on a ranch. I never knew I would get the chance to do so much more than ride! And yes, ride you will. It's the best way to get around the endless acres that are the ranch. I rode 4 different horses. If you want to ride a lot, this is the place to do it. I'm glad I heeded another reviewer's advice to wear padded bike shorts. I couldn't believe I had the opportunity to vaccinate calves on multiple occasions. It's all hands on deck here. You are essentially taking on the role of rancher's apprentice--something I did not expect. It is a working vacation. It had been years since I'd been on a horse and through the grace of God and Kim's patience I was able to keep up and help herd cattle. Patricia's hearty meals are second to none. I was pleasantly surprised to have hot dessert for lunch AND dinner. Also, if you're vegetarian/vegan/lactose-free, you will be accommodated. Patricia had So Delicious brand whipped cream, almond milk and Ben & Jerry's nondairy ice cream on hand as per my request. You won't meet a kinder couple than Patricia and Kim. There were days I was saddle sore, but it was well worth it. Waking up every morning to the thundering sounds of a herd of horses is so far from my New York City reality. I actually wanted to wake up early. Every day was new. One day it was raining and Kim suggested we head to Carlsbad Cavern. That was my first time exploring a cave and it took my breath away. The lodging was comfortable and homey. There wasn't one overlooked detail. Once inside the bunkhouse, you are encapsulated in a rustic dream complete with exposed wood beams and a fireplace in the common area. My king-sized bed was cozy and much welcomed after a long day riding. There is even a well appointed gift shop where I was fortunate to snag some sterling silver horseshoe stud earrings. I came here solo and appreciated the intimacy of the ranch. Kim and Patricia truly adhere to their motto of not running a lot of people through their place. Burnt Well is a home away from home. P.S. Fans of the Canadian TV show Heartland...this is your place.…
The Chesser family hospitality is unmatched. Wonderful people! The cattle drive is a great opportunity to participate in an authentic US southwestern cattle drive experience. This is no dude-ranch, but a working cattle ranch run by the Chesser family. That's what I was looking for when I booked the trip. Delicious food, and wonderful hosts. I loved my time at Burnt Well Ranch, and would do it again in a heartbeat!
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