About Us – Banshee Ranch

Nestled only 10 minutes from downtown Montgomery, and a scenic 30 minute drive from The Woodlands, Banshee Ranch borders Sam Houston National Forest with its miles of wonderful trails for the enjoyment of you and your horse. Banshee Ranch has a wide variety of activities from which to choose. There are the basic trail rides, drill teams, show teams, and even a mothers group! We offer several horse care options from full stall board to temporary boarding (pet sitting) when you leave town!

For more information on our activities, see below and click the corresponding link …..

For youth drill team, please click HERE.

For the adult drill team, please click HERE.

For group and individual lessons, please click HERE.

For summer camps, please click HERE.

For boarding options, please click HERE.

For information about Barrel Races, please click HERE.

Now for the whole story (a disclosure):

We are definitely a horse of a different color, but we like it that way.

We are a ranch, not a stable – the difference is subtle; but it is there. We do not claim to be Western or English facility, but instead we concentrate on producing good horsemen regardless of discipline. We like to be the place you can do things your own way and the ‘barn witch’ is not going to come hunt you down to lecture you about your own horse. We have a strict “live and let live” policy. We don’t make enough money in this industry to justify being miserable and our clients certainly don’t pay their hard-earned money to be irritated by someone who feels the need to drag others down. We consider this our passion, not our job and, while we have turned out several national level riders, the first and foremost goal is to help people have a place to enjoy the ranch life with all the training/help/answers you could possibly need just a question or a lesson away. Horse people as a whole tend to have a very “their way is the only way” mentality; we strive not to have that feeling in our barn. We have owners that ride every day and we have some that like to kick back with a glass of wine while watching their horse graze, both are doing what they love and that’s great.

We are not the helmet police and we will never be. When riding ranch stock we do require those under 18 to wear a helmet but we do not force our clientele with private stock to follow suit. This comes a bit from the western side of the barn and a bit from our belief that each person should be free to enjoy their horse interactions any way they see fit without judgment. All clientele are required to sign a liability release in which they agree to hold harmless the ranch and any of its employees. Equine activities are inherently dangerous and participants and/or their parent/guardian agree to accept the associated risks. Our owners span the range from those with the latest and greatest safely gear to riding bareback, barefoot with only a halter and lead. For those under 18, it’s the parent/guardian’s decision whether their minor child is required to wear a helmet. Who are we to say we know better than a child’s parent/guardian how to keep them safe? However, we do not allow bike or other sport helmets, either the proper gear or nothing at all. We have helmets to loan for those not ready to financially commit.

We have an active, older clientele which has its own social aspects. Usually barns are either geared towards kids or towards adults; however we walk a fine line to try and serve them all. We keep a pretty well updated calendar so the adults who want to avoid the barn when it’s loud and rambunctious can do so. We also post the adult riders’ priority times so if you don’t want your child exposed to the ladies drinking wine and telling colorful stories, you will know when to keep your child away. We have 2 different tack rooms, and we try to keep adults in one room and younger boarders in the other. Respecting everyone’s space and time are keys to harmony in any family, but especially in a barn/ranch family.

There is beer/wine in the fridge most days. You are expected to watch your child to see they do not take things they are not supposed to. We will not parent for you. There are plenty of prim and proper stables that do the “drop off baby sitter thing” to go to if this offends you.

Warning about kids, both yours and others… Around horses there is a certain amount of self-discipline and good judgment you must develop; it does not end at the saddle. A ranch can be a dangerous place with snakes, stinging plants, unfriendly horses, chickens, roosters, ponds, etc… We do our best to provide a safe play area for the little ones, but we are by no means able to have irresponsible, free range toddlers roaming free. Now, on the other hand, you may see some teeny bopper aged kids out there that do not seem to have adults breathing down their neck. The rule of thumb is, “unless they are doing something that is going to be fatal for them or an animal in their vicinity, then if it’s not your kid, then it’s not your problem”. Everyone is given the ranch manager’s number to text if you see a child doing something you think someone should be informed of, but the rule stands. Being around these horses is sometimes where kids first learn that there are consequences for their actions.

This extends to other people’s horses. If it’s not your horse, then it’s not your problem. These animals are like children to some of their owners. If you would not talk or correct someone about their parenting in the same situation then it’s safe to say you shouldn’t say it to a horse owner. Even our trainers are not allowed to insert themselves into a situation unless there is a danger afoot.

Arenas are not locked down during lessons. Even if you see a lesson going on, you are more than welcome to ride in that arena unless you and/or your horse’s behavior may cause a disruption to the lesson. Trainers do have priority over the main arena and round pen and the authority to invite you to leave the area. If you see a beginner teetering around at a walk on the rail you should not go blowing by at full speed; it’s just good arena etiquette. There is always a learning curve and we understand that sometimes mistakes happen, but repeated offenders will be dealt with by the ranch manager. There are 3 arenas and 65 acres of trails, so rest assured there is always a place to go to let the fresh off your horse.

If Banshee Ranch sounds like it might be a good fit for you and your horse, then please either email us at BansheeRanchContact@gmail.com or give us a call at 936-597-4133. Happy Trails!