Carol and her staff have years of experience teaching horseback riding and training horses. While it is fun to teach students of all ages, it is perhaps most rewarding to teach children how to ride.

Children are eager students. They love the horses immediately, and are gentle with them. At the same time, they are thrilled by the sense of power they feel when the horse does what they ask it to do. Horseback riding is incredibly empowering for children; it is a tremendous responsibility to have reins in hand. They’ll learn many lessons that will prove relevant in all aspects of their lives.

The horses at our Central Texas vacation ranch are gentle, and used to being ridden by all levels of rider. This is the perfect place to introduce your child to horseback riding.

Learning the ropes.

The joy on that face says it all.

It was a beautiful mysterious horseback ride in the fog.

Our most popular teenage guest got her birthday wish with another horseback ride at our Texas Guest Ranch.     Because her birthday is close to Christmas, her wonderful parents let her choose what she wants to do every year, and for the past four years her wish has been to come back to BlissWood.  Here she gets to satisfy her love for animals, as this lucky birthday girl gets to be upclose and personal with our ranch animals.  We love it when we can share what we get to experience every day here at BlissWood.

British ladies enjoy texas horseback riding

One of the best parts of having a bed and breakfast is that we get to meet people not just from around the country, but from around the world. Our guest ranch outside Houston recently hosted families from Britain, who thoroughly enjoyed their experience in the American Southwest.

Western saddle horseback riding is different from English saddle. Riding out in Central Texas is different from riding in Britain. It was fun to compare and contrast our experiences with those of our British guests, one of whom commented that horseback riding at Blisswood was the best ride of her life. What a compliment!

British dads enjoy showing their babies the guest ranch.

While the moms took advantage of our Texas trail riding, the dads took the babies for a fun golf cart ride around the ranch. At the end of the day, all were pleased.

Treat your family to a getaway at our guest ranch. It will be an experience you’ll always remember.

Ladies of Texas enjoy Horseback Riding

LOTT: Ladies of Texas Tradition

They call themselves LOTT, Ladies of Texas Tradition. Back in 1993, group of women assembled at LH7Ranch; their goal was to celebrate being independent and free, and to experience the outdoors and all things equine. They have been riding together ever since, throughout Texas.

Here at our Houston area guest ranch, they enjoyed fine weather and good company. After their big day of riding, the ladies enjoyed a wonderful meal at Carol’s at Cat Spring Restaurant.

Why not host your next reunion or function here? With ample private housing, miles of trails for trailriding, hiking or biking, and tasty food in our elegant yet casual fine dining restaurant, you can’t go wrong. Foster lasting friendships or solid working relationships with an hour or two in the saddle. If you are an experienced rider, you know how this is true, and if you are a novice, just think of all the fun and laughs you can share.

Here they are, leaving the restaurant, having satisfied their hunger and fueled up for the 3 mile ride back to the ranch. The group decided the experience was so wonderful that they will gather soon again for another great horseback ride at Blisswood, our Texas guest ranch.

A delighful Sunday horseback ride

Our Houston Guest Ranch is and Ideal place for horseback riding

We have superb trailriding at our Houston guest ranch

Earlier this spring, a sweet baby colt was born to a horse here at our guest ranch near Houston. She is growing and promises to be an outstanding trail riding horse once she grows a bit more – she has a lovely, gentle temperament. We look forward to getting her out on the 650 acres of our Houston guest ranch with our other horses. We have gaited Paso Fino – or “Fine Step” – horses. Known for their friendly dispositions and their gentle gaits, they win over all who ride them. These are not bouncy horses, which means they are ideal for long trail rides, and for riders of all experience levels; while they can canter and gallop with the best of them, they prefer a fast walk.

Our trail rides near Houston are all guided, so in addition to being comfortable in your saddle, you can trust that you are safe. Our experienced guides will lead you through tall grasses in meadows, across cooling creeks, and through shaded oak forests.

With nearly 650 acres to roam, Blisswood has plenty of room to relax and enjoy a nice leisurely horseback ride through meadows and oak forests, across creeks, and past soothing ponds. If you feel like you need a lesson before heading out for a trail ride near Houston, we can certainly arrange that. Or, if you decide you would rather sit back in a stagecoach and let someone else take charge of the horse, you may.

Horseback riding is a lovely activity during your stay at our guest ranch in Cat Spring Texas. During the day you’ll be out exploring the ranch, and when you are ready to rest, you may retreat to your private cottage for refreshments. Your schedule is your own, and you may even schedule a massage, facial or salt-glow body scrub right in your own lodging. How is that for relaxing?

Ride at our Guest Ranch Near Houston

Why not gather a group of horseback riding girlfriends together for Cowgirl Camp at our Guest Ranch near Houston. Contact us to schedule one specially for your group of gals, or to learn about our next scheduled Cowgirl Camp. From the wine and cheese reception, to a workshop with Horse Whisperer Janice Terra, to a post trail ride Houston massage, this weekend is guaranteed to be refreshing and fun.

Our Guest Ranch near Houston is also a perfect place for children 13 or older to ride, as our horses are gentle and the area is quiet. Blisswood is an ideal location for a family ranch vacation for folks who live in and around Houston. Younger children will be delighted by the various animals we have on the ranch, from our young kangaroo to our new baby calf.

Hope to see you soon with a horse at Blisswood.

Horse Whispering at our Texas guest ranch

Once again, we at Blisswood are thrilled to host licensed horse whisperer Janice Terra on May 31, 2009. “Wise Women and Medicine Ponies” will be from 10am until 4pm. This is a great opportunity for horseback riding Houston. The Lady Horse Whisperer will begin with a lecture and will follow with a ground session. After a tasty lunch at Carol’s at Cat Spring, participants will do mounted work, and at the end of the day there will be time for discussion and questions.

Horse whispering is important in a broader context than riding. Janice Terra has said, “When I work with people I say that the horses help people return themselves to themselves.” She goes on to explain that in order for a child who weighs 50 pounds to control a horse weighing 1200 pounds, “neither force nor ‘doormat-itis’ will work…. The horse forces one to walk that thin line of controlling without being controlling. A person will learn to operate from his or her own place of power.”(Quotes from Janice Terra’s website, www.TheLadyHorseWhisperer.com.)

It’s a fascinating way to approach riding and horse whispering. This is just a taste of what will be explored at our tranquil 650-acre ranch getaway near Houston. Plan to spend May 31 connecting with a horse and reconnecting with yourself.

Prior riding experience not necessary. Bring your own horse (Coggins necessary).
Horses are available for $29. After this weekend, you will be ready to return to Blisswood for a trail ride Houston.