At Rancho Las Cascadas, our horses are more than part of the riding program. They are part of the Rancho. Many spend years carrying our guests across the Mexican highlands, becoming firm favorites with riders and members of our team along the way. When the time comes for one of our older horses to retire, our responsibility to them does not end. Many have gone home with current or former members of our staff, where they spend their retirement grazing, enjoying an easier pace of life, and remaining part of the extended Rancho family. For us, it is simply how good horses should be treated.

From Working Horse to Old Friend

Spend enough time around horses and there will always be a few that find a particularly special place in your heart.

Our team is no different. Over the years, staff members have formed close bonds with individual horses, often riding and caring for them for many years. So when one of those horses is ready to step away from our working herd, it is wonderful when they can go home with someone they already know and trust.

Today, twelve of our older horses are retired with current and former members of the Rancho team, living out their years as much loved family horses.

Retirement Does not Mean Standing Still

Some of our retired horses are still more than happy to have a little job to do.

Guests who have visited us over the years may remember Cheyenne. He now belongs to our lovely Juanita, who sometimes rides him to work at the Rancho. While Juanita works, Cheyenne spends his day grazing before carrying her home again.

Every now and then, he even has another important job, carrying Juanita’s son to school.

We think that is a pretty good retirement for an old Rancho horse.

A New Job for Some Special Horses

Some horses have a natural ability to look after the person sitting in the saddle. Over the years, a few of our gentlest horses became especially good at carrying younger and less confident guests.

Four of these special horses eventually retired to a children’s equine therapy center in the nearby town of Tula.

There, their calm and gentle characters allowed them to continue working with children in a different setting after their years at the Rancho.

Every horse eventually reaches the day when long rides through the countryside are behind them. After everything they have given us and our guests over the years, we believe they have earned a good retirement.

Whether that means a quiet pasture, becoming a treasured family horse, an occasional ride to work, or finding a new purpose, we are proud that so many of our old Rancho horses continue to be loved and cared for long after their working days with us are over.