The Lajitas Equestrian Center is a state of the art facility for guests of Lajitas Resort & Spa and any local visitors, with two National Cutting Horse Association Professional Trainers, O.K. (Kim) Estes and Katherine Hoadley. This team has the ability to train a horse from the first ride to the finished product in cutting. Horses can be started for the following disciplines: cutting, reining, working cow horse, and ranch horse work.

Kim Estes has been showing cutting horses for 4 decades and is a past NCHA judge. Miss Hoadley has been showing cutting horses and assisted in training for 8 years and has over 7 years experience as a veterinary assistant.

The below rides and boarding prices are current as of January 8, 2008.

Horseback Rides: Trail Rides by the Hour This Ride goes up Comanche Creek and around Mesa De Anguila with stunning views of Mexico in the background.* from $45 per person

Half-Day Ride (Three Hours) The half-day ride can be tailored and will allow you to explore several scenic areas of Lajitas. You can even stop at a fascinating burial site dig located in a cliff wall, where archaeologists have removed remains. * $135 per person

All Day Ride (Six Hours) Join the Equestrian team for a full-day ride to the Buena Suerte Mine and Ghost Town in the real tradition of the Old West. Depart Lajitas in the early morning for a three-hour ride, followed by a hearty lunch before your return back to Lajitas. This trip is not for the faint of heart; it is pure rugged cowboy with outhouses and cooking by the fire, so be prepared for the ‘real experience’. This ride includes lunch. from $295 per person Four-person minimum

Sunrise or Sunset Trail Rides Take and hour and a half to ride up the Lajitas Mesa to enjoy a spectacular sunrise or sunset. from $65 per person

Buena Suerte Ghost Town Camp-Out Join the Equestrian team for an overnight ride to the Buena Suerte Mine and Ghost Town for a real Western campout. Depart Lajitas in the early afternoon for a three-hour ride, followed by a traditional cowboy campfire dinner prepared by a Lajitas Chef. Spend the night around the campfire or inside the old general store, and have an old-fashioned cowboy breakfast the next morning before your ride back. Outhouses, bed rolls, and fireside cooking make this a trip for those who want to have the real Old West experience. (Cots, sleeping bags, and sleep mats are provided) from $375 per person Four-person minimum

Sunrise Breakfast at Star Gazer Mesa Mount your horse at the crack of dawn for a ride to Stargazer Mesa where you'll be greeted with cowboy coffee, biscuits, red-eye gravy, eggs to order, sausage, bacon, and juice—a regular cowboy breakfast. Watch the sun rise over Lajitas while you indulge. After breakfast, you may opt to ride your trusty horse back to town or be driven back to the resort. from $150 per person Four-person minimum; Six-person maximum

Cookout at Stargazer Mesa Ride your trusty steed to Stargazer Mesa where you'll be greeted by our creative culinary team for an unforgettable cowboy dinner. Red Rock Outfitters has a full menu of entree, sides and dessert selections and will help you customize your menu for the evening. After dinner you will be transported back to the resort. from $200 per person Four-person minimum

Cowboy Action Shooting
Take a step back in history and learn how to shoot the guns that won the West, from qualified instructors. Shoot a single action pistol, side-by-side shotgun, and a lever action rifle. Then have a competition to see who's the fastest. Proper western attire is mandatory--chaps and a ten-gallon hat are preferred.from $80 per person, per hour includes up to three boxes of ammo per person

Five Stand (Skeet Shooting)
A shotgun shooting game using sporting clays, the game allows shooters of all abilities some of the most exciting target combinations available in the world today. Our course utilizes eight automatic traps to simulate game birds such as dove, quail and pheasant and even a bolting rabbit across the ground. One round consists of 25 shots with groups of shots being taken from each shooting stand. from $75 per person, per hour includes up to three rounds of clay birds and ammunition

Instruction for Five Stand
Learn from the experts! from $50 per person, per hour

Colt Starting Clinics are available for private lessons as well as groups!

Boarding Facility: The center consists of a 19-stall barn with office, tack room, bathrooms, and two washing/grooming areas. The barn is also equipped with an automatic fly spray system, water misting system, and ceiling fans in each stall. Additional amenities include a 32,000-square-foot covered riding arena; 60-foot covered round pen; a large hay/equipment barn; irrigated pastures and turn-outs with loafing shades; an on-site manager; and 25,000 private acres of trail systems. Rates: Member/Guest feeds the horse from $15.00 a day Lajitas Equestrian Staff feeds the horse from $20.00 a day We provide a bedded stall, stall cleaning and water. All horses must have current coggins papers, health certificates and vaccinations.

Services: All horses are cared for by a staff of professionals!

Note: Riders must be 10 years of age or older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Riders must weigh less than 240 pounds. The Lajitas Equestrian Center does not allow riders to run the horses. Ride times may change due to sunrise and sunset. Cancellation policy: before 24 hours no charge; after 24 hours rider is charged ½ price; after horses are saddled, rider is charged full price. Gratuity is not included!