In my Backyard...Double 6 Ranch - Apple Valley

I was on Craigslist the other day, just looking, one of my favorite sites is the farm and garden section.  Maybe a few more chickens, maybe a horse or two, maybe, who knows...that is the fun of it, just looking.

I found this:  

The Double 6 Ranch invites you to:

Autism Awareness Day & Rides

Saturday, April 17th

Sign In & Registration at 10am
4 hour Scenic, Guided, Horseback Ride starts at 12:00pm
Dinner served at 5:00pm

 Relax by the Bonfire 'till the cows come home!

$40.00 pre-sale / $50.00 at the door: to bring your horse and including dinner. 

Horse Rentals available for $65.00 and include your horse and dinner.

Want to attend, but don't want to bring your horse or do not have a horse?
Ranch Passes are $25.00 and

include admission into the ranch and dinner.

I read it and then I read it again.  A WHOLE day for $65.00!  Serious?  So, I emailed them and inquired about the price and it is exactly what is reads.  Their website is Double6Ranch.   Check this website out it is really neat.

I went ahead and paid for it and marked my calendar boy were we excited!

All I can say before I write this experience, now, afterward's, is that it was one of the most memorable and pleasurable events I have done in years.  This group is truly some of the nicest, accommodating, and very giving, They were wonderful!

We arrived there around 9AM, greeted by Emma, who introduced us to Ty who owns the Ranch.

They showed us which horse we would be riding for the day, clarifying the skill of riding, which made me feel really comfortable.  I am always VERY leery or you could even say scared of getting on a horse that I have never been on, especially since the accident a had 10 years ago, BAD!! (The horse RAN me into a tree and kept running, 4 broken ribs, concussion and the worst bruising I have ever seen).

They gave Andy Poco who as they say an incredible Gymkhana horse, which was right up his alley!

They gave me Cash, who by the way he was 16 hands!!! Got on him with a help of a chair and he was the best behaved horse!  (More on that, in a minute).  Now don't laugh at my helmet, I had no idea that it was crooked and it takes a very secure women to wear this:

  
Once everyone was saddled up and ready, which were 17 riders, we took off.  The desert was the prettiest I have EVER seen, boy did I get my fill on desert bloom.  WOW!!!!

Cash decided that he needed to be very cautious with me and took his time in walking, to the point that the guide (who was an absolute sweetheart) and I had our own group,  There was no way that horse was going to scare me and he was the perfect gentleman.  I did the 4 hour tour, worried that when I finally got off his back and I wouldn't be able to walk, at first yes, but it did get easier.

Back at the Ranch, we were waited on continuously everyone making sure we were comfortable.  The dinner was catered by Overton Meat Company, which was WOW, good food, good fellowship, who could ask for more.  By that time, everyone were like old friends.

After dinner, we went over to the corral and played with the steers, I was a dynamo!!!!  I roped one that couldn't be roped by ANYONE (actually, nobody tried, except Bill).  I was so proud of myself!  The bull was in love with me, and wouldn't leave my side, so much for being the great roper!

The bull was in love with me, and wouldn't leave my side, so much for being the great roper!

I nicknamed him Norman and wanted to take him home!  AWE!

It looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it?  Hey, do you see the llama in the background, is that llama for roping or riding?  I want to try, BOTH!!!!


When all was done it was time to have the bon fire!  They brought out marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers!  Cool!

Fire going, sitting around in the desert evening, wow it was soo nice!  After being there all day (almost 12 hours) we said our good nights with the promises of seeing everyone the next week.

What is this ALL about?  Double 6 Ranch explains it the best: 

We believe that horses have great therapeutic value for those afflicted with special needs, and have witnessed "first words" at our program because of our horses. There is nothing more gratifying than that!

Here at the Double 6 Ranch we are proud to host a day for children with autism and/or special needs on the LAST Saturday of every month.

This is a time when special needs children, adults and their families,

have the opportunity to ride horses, learn how to rope, participate in arts and crafts, enjoy the petting zoo and just spend a day at the ranch.

Our program is offered as a free service to our community to promote and bring awareness to autism and other debilitating diseases. 

 I was VERY proud to be a part of the fundraiser and am excited about being a part of this great cause, so I will be there this Saturday to help and to be there to see the magic that is going to happen. 

Can't wait to have more pictures and stories to tell, would love to see you there!