Expeditions Extraordinaire!

Meet Montana from the back of a horse! Let Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions connect you with the real Montana.

Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions emphasizes experiential learning about Montana’s natural and cultural history. We partner with local experts – businesses, non profit groups, museums, university professors, and scientists – to develop tours that immerse our guests in a Montana experience. We choose a natural or cultural history theme; select routes that best illustrate that theme and showcase Montana’s splendid landscapes; identify local resources to guide our learning and businesses to service our needs; and weave together a trip that brings our guests and locals together for a journey of mutual discovery. Our expeditions are small – never more than 12 guests – to ensure close, personal attention and the opportunity to forge new relationships with Montanans.

Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions offers a range of outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities including wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, swimming, floating, and of course, horseback riding. Our horses provide an entirely extra dimension to our expeditions. They travel with us, we can travel in Wilderness, where motor vehicles aren't allowed! They are always available to enhance our ability to see the country, to travel farther than we could on foot, to provide us with an entirely different perspective, or to simply give us the joy of riding on their backs.

Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions focuses on quality and fun! We offer experienced expedition leadership, professional educational programs, comfortable accommodations, fine food, beautiful settings, qualified guides, incredible horseback riding, and outstanding service. We achieve these high standards within a relaxed and casual atmosphere – and we are ever ready for some spontaneous fun!

Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions creates Personalized Expeditions that are tailor made to suit the needs and desires of individual groups. Our knowledgeable staff is available to work with you to identify your group’s expedition goals, education and recreation interests, schedule, and budget. We offer expeditions focused on corporate retreats and leadership training, family reunions, horsemanship training, and natural history and cultural learning.

Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions is proud to partner with following organizations and business establishments:

• The Boone and Crockett Club
• The National Wildlife Federation Northern Rockies Natural Resource Center
• The Montana Natural History Center
• The Clark Fork Coalition
• Itancan Round Pen Leadership Training
• The Holland Lake Lodge
• The Hole in the Wall Resort
• Elkhorn Hot Springs
• Jackson Hot Springs Lodge

Expeditions

Every Dunrovin Ranch Expedition begins with an idea sparked by an experience, a conversation, or a curiosity. Dunrovin is continually on the lookout for interesting places in Montana to explore with horses, fascinating people to guide our way, and special accommodations to house and feed our bodies and spirits.

The lure of Montana’s grand landscapes is as strong for today’s professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and wanderers as it was in days gone by for intrepid adventurers. Montana is home to countless experts, artists, philosophers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and characters that outshine any movie cast. And, there is no shortage of wonderful lodges, ranches, guest cabins, and other facilities to welcome us with comfy quarters and fine food.

Dunrovin Expeditions identifies an educational theme and a special Montana location then goes about assembling the resources to create a first class adventure for our guests. We talk to local people, visit local venues, seek the advice of experts, take our horses and members of our Equestrian Club to try various routes and get their feedback.

To find the best, we stay in the lodges, check out the ranches, and eat the meals at every alternative establishment. We look for the right combination – the routes through the most interesting or scenic areas, the places with charm as well as comfort, the people who are not only knowledgeable, but who are great teachers and full of character. It may take us several years to get everything just right before we market the trip to guests.

We try to reach that delicate balance between too much and too little scheduling. Our guests are treated to lots of optional activities, have plenty of educational opportunities, and yet also have personal time to go their own way and absorb all that the expedition has to offer. Some of the best times are the spontaneous times, and we want to make sure that scheduling does not preclude spontaneity.

We do not hire seasonal employees to serve as expeditions guides. All of our expeditions are led by either Durnovin Ranch owner, SuzAnne Miller, or Ranch Manager, Sue Matthews. This ensures responsive, personal, and high quality service. With the decision makers on board, we are able to deviate from our itinerary to take advantage of golden opportunities or group interests – be they weather changes, wildlife sightings, wild flowers blooming, or an encounter with a special person. We don’t want to miss any opportunity!

Expeditions for 2008 include:

Spirit of the West Photographic Expedition
May 17 – 20, 2008

Dunrovin partners with the Boone and Crockett Club and internationally known nature and wildlife photographers Kennan and Karen Ward and Pam Voth for a photographic journey on the Theodore Roosevelt Ranch located on the Rocky Mountain Front south of Glacier National Park.

Click herd to Download Trip Description and Itinerary

Expedition Cost - $2,280/person

Both Sides of the Bob
September 9 – 19, 2008

The Continental Divide is Montana's most defining geographic feature. Everything in Montana changes at The Great Divide – the geology, the ecosystems, the weather, human cultures, land ownership and use patterns, social, economic, and demographic conditions. Nowhere can the abrupt and dramatic impact of the Continental Divide be better felt than along the flanks of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area - or The Bob, as it is locally known. Dunrovin Expeditions takes guests on a unique equestrian learning adventure across The Great Divide and along Both Sides of The Bob.

Dunrovin partners with the Boone and Crockett Club’s Theodore Roosevelt Ranch located on the east side of the Rocky Mountain Front and Holland Lake Lodge on the west side of the Great Divide to provide guests with outstanding accommodations and cuisine throughout the trip.

Click here to Download Trip Description and Itinerary

Expedition Cost - $3,870/person before June 30, 2008; $4,200/person after June 30, 2008

Big Sky at Night – Overnight Expedition
June 3 and August 28, 2008

Montana is Big Sky Country…and that big sky puts on an incredible display of the Milky Way. Journey by horseback to the West Fork Butte fire lookout tower along the Montana Idaho border and join a University of Montana astronomer in an unforgettable night of star gazing, fine food, and sleeping in a lookout tower.

Meet at Dunrovin Ranch at noon for a hearty lunch and some time in Dunrovin’s corrals getting to know your horse. Load the horses up for the short drive to the trail head to begin your adventure. Arrive at the lookout in time for a Montana barbeque and fire pit conversation. After a beautiful sunset across the western sky, you will be treated to several hours of night sky looking through a powerful telescope to enable you to see such features as the rings of Saturn. Sleep in the lookout tower or a nearby tent and wake to a hot breakfast before heading back down the trail. Arrive at back at Dunrovin by 3:00PM the next day.

Click here to Download Three Rivers Magazine Article About The Big Sky at Night

Expedition Cost - $350/person

Expeditions in the planning phase for 2009 include:

Spring in the Sage Country
April, 2009

Participate in the National Wildlife Federation′s Adopt-a Lek program to ensure sage grouse conservation in western Montana. Experience the thrill of a witnessing the male sage grouse boom and strut during the early twilight hours of a spring sunrise in Montana’s Big Hole Valley. Ride across the sage country to count sage grouse droppings to estimate population size.

Photographing the Wild Horses of the Wild West
May, 2009

Focus your camera on western traditions at the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. This annual event harkens to a cowboy culture that is on the brink of extinction elsewhere. Known world wide for its rowdy and colorful display of bucking horses, horse racing, and cowboys and cowgirls, the Bucking Horse Sale is truly unforgettable. End with a journey to the Pryor Mountains to find and photograph wild mustangs herds that are direct decendents of horses brought to the Americas by the early Spanish explorers.

Along the Mighty Clark Fork of the Columbia River
July 2009

Accompany experts from the Clark Fork Coalition to lean about the many challenges faced by one of North America’s most important and scenic rivers. Start in Sandpoint, Idaho and travel the length of the river to its headwaters in Silver Bow Creek near Butte, Montana. This is a story of rivers and mining. Learn about the threats posed by new mining proposals in the Cabinet Mountains and the massive restoration efforts underway to reclaim the river from the results of a century of mining in Butte. Enjoy great fishing, thrilling whitewater rafting, and hiking. Let the horses take your high in the mountains for some spectacular vistas.

Two Nations Across the Divide
August, 2009

This expedition complements the Both Sides of the Bob Expedition in that it looks at the impact of the Great Divide on the Indian nations that are located on either side. Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions visits the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation on the west side of the divide and the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Nation on the east side of the divide to learn the stories of their cultures and how they reflect their surroundings.

Expedition Leaders

Dunrovin Expeditions is the product of an overactive imagination and zest for life that Dunrovin Ranch owner, SuzAnne Miller, shares with Ranch Manager, Sue Matthews. SuzAnne and Sue go back – way back to their graduate schools days at the University of Washington where they pursued graduate degrees in natural resource related fields. Their lives have intertwined over 30 years of working for state and federal natural resource agencies in Alaska and Montana. Wherever and whenever they found themselves together again, something fun was sure to happen! They are surely “still crazy after all these years.”

The Horses

Nothing compares to sailing through the mountains and forests aboard a sure- footed, smooth-gaited horse in peak athletic condition!

Dunrovin’s Tennessee Walking Horses are:

• Superb athletes
• Veteran trail mounts
• Trained by professionals between guest visits to condition body and mind and ensure responsiveness
• More than able to meet any challenge presented by the most experienced of riders
• Yet gentle and well trained enough to accommodate beginners.

Dunrovin stresses hands-on horsemanship. You will be paired with the same horse for your entire expedition, so you’ll get to know each other and become a team. You don’t need riding experience. You do need to be fairly athletic and have a sense of adventure. If you are already a skilled rider, we can present you with some new challenges.

Here are some of Dunrovin's horses . . .

Mickey really does remind you of that famous mouse by the name “Mickey.” Our Mickey is the “class clown” with lots of energy and a chipper disposition. Mickey and Francine Betat, Vallée d'Ossau, France, relax after a day’s ride.	Monty (Montana’s Strolling Joe Genius) is the golden retriever of the horse world – ever ready to please, always looking for an adventure, would curl up in your lap if he weren’t so big – and handsome to boot! Here is Monty showing off his comfortable Fred Hook saddle.
Power lives up to his name. He is Dunrovin’s lead horse both on the trail and in the pastures. He and SuzAnne have covered thousands of miles together, including endurance races. Power never objects to SuzAnne hanging things off his saddle – like this deer skull she wanted for the garden!	Annie is unable to carry a rider because of a knee injury, but she carries wonderful foals! She is a terrific mom, tolerant of human intrusions like imprinting, but vigilant with all four-legged creatures. She is the typecast dominant mare. Here she guards a foal, only hours old in this picture.
Lady Lonza is simply a stunningly beautiful horse. She was born on SuzAnne’s dad’s birthday and named in his honor – his middle name was Lonzo. With a Champaign colored coat and a big, strong body Lady Lonza draws all eyes to her. She is the queen and demands respect and obedience from all the boys who share her pasture. She takes no prisoners! She is expecting a foal in April, 2008. It could be any color. We are all waiting anxiously!	Flash is the “ladies man” of Dunrovin – a smooth operator and a total flirt who has captured the hearts of a number of local riders who compete to fill his dance card. He’ll win your heart with his quick feet, good manners, and loving eyes.
Denali means “the great one” in the language of the Athabascan people of interior Alaska, and that is exactly what Denali is – The Great One in size, heart, and kindness. He is an absolute pro in the mountains and Dunrovin’s “steady Eddy.” He is a perfect horse for a complete beginner, yet totally responsive and ready to move! In this picture Denali calmly stands while his young rider hobbles him for free grazing in the back country.	Charger’s registered name is Bud’s Whitewashed Charger. His whitewashed markings defy description – some call him a blue roan, while others call him a paint. Whatever his color, he is a fantastic mountain horse with lots of go and lots of experience – including field trials with hunting dogs.
Tiny acquired his name when he was born prematurely, which as it turns out, is completely consistent with his personality. Patience is not his strong suit! He is always ready to go and is one of the fastest and smoothest Tennessee Walking Horses you’ll ever ride. Yet, he is also a people pleaser. Tiny loves attention, even if it means dressing up for the holidays!	Whiskey is a great name for a western horse, this guy belongs more in a gentlemen’s club than a western saloon. Perhaps Dubonet might have been a better name to capture his beautiful red coat and his kind, refined, and gentlemanly manners. While having lots of energy and desire to go, Whiskey has a soft, calm nature that puts his rider immediately at ease.
Cool Dude is exactly that – one cool dude for youngsters just getting their first taste of horses. He has received the loving attention of many of child and taught them the joy of horsemanship. Dude and our donkey are the only non Tennessee Walking Horse equines on the ranch. Dude demonstrates his endless patience with young riders.	Smokey Smoke will definitely get in your eyes when they land on our BIG boy, Smokey. What a handsome, kind, and gentle giant! He came to Dunrovin via a friend who shared many happy trails with SuzAnne and Power. Smokey loves an adventure; he eagerly carries his rider down the trail, through the forests, up the mountains, and across the rivers.
Martine’s Latin name betrays the fact that he is not a Tennessee Walking Horse but a Peruvian Paso. Martine is Dunrovin Ranch’s rescue horse. Early in his live, Martine developed ring bone which made him unsuitable for long, strenuous rides. He was on his way to the stockyard sales when he was rescued and eventually found his way to Dunrovin.	Dandy found not only a new home, but a new name at Dunrovin. SuzAnne’s father always used the term dandy to describe just about everything he liked – dandy weather, dandy friends, dandy place. SuzAnne knew her dad would have liked this horse, so she named him Dandy. He got just about everything you could want in a horse: a terrific, smooth gait and a friendly disposition. Truly a dandy horse!
Toddy is an EXCEPTIONAL young horse. He came to Dunrovin in 2007 as a recently trained two year old and he has exceeded all expectations. His naturally kind and easy going disposition has earned him the reputation of being Dunrovin’s surfer dude horse – he is simply unflappable. He is such a steady guy that Dunrovin wrangler and trainer, Vanessa, chose him as her mount to help direct traffic during a large event at Dunrovin.
Senor Kona is a Sicilian (miniature) donkey with a big honk and an even bigger ego. He’s well known in Lolo for accompanying SuzAnne to the post office and appearing in holiday costume at the Lolo School. Senor Kona recently distinguished himself by winning first place in the commercial division in the 2007 University of Montana Homecoming parade. He lead a group of less than distinguished Dunrovin Dudettes in a less then precise drill team of "Pooper Scoopers."	Jewel is indeed the Jewel of Dunrovin. She came to us from the Western Montana Humane Society. Jewel is every ready to fetch a stick from the river, sweep the trails of grouse so the horses don’t spook, or play with visitors – both human and canine. She’s simply irresistible!

What to Bring

CLICK HERE to download a check list of what to bring when you come on a Dunrovin Ranch Expedition.

Some more information about what to bring and expect on a Dunrovin Ranch Expedition:

Physical Conditioning: All our trips are possible for any reasonably fit person. However, we do recommend some pre-conditioning in the form of walking and horseback riding. Horseback riding uses different muscles, so if you can prepare with a little riding before you come, it will be more comfortable for you.

Proper Clothing: Mountain early mornings and evenings can be chilly any time of year. Please bring warm, comfortable clothing, including a hooded, windproof and waterproof (not just water resistent) jacket, well brokenin- footwear, a wool hat and wool mittens or gloves, long pants and ample dry clothing. Layers work best in our climate and in all seasons. The temperature can vary significantly in any single day. For horseback riding, please bring riding boots with a distinct heel, riding pants (as opposed to jeans) and smooth soles.

Photographic Equipment: For all Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions, bring camera(s), film or digital cards and landscape and telescopic lenses if you desire. For Dunrovin Ranch Photographic workshops, bring camera(s), tripod, lenses (wide angle for landscape and anything long if we are lucky with wildlife). Bring all your digital card(s); if you shoot film, bring 2 to 4 rolls per day. Bring a sturdy backpack or camera bag for your camera equipment, camera batteries and charger, and spare batteries. Remember to charge your batteries before you come!!

Binoculars: Each person should have their own pair of binoculars. Sharing binoculars is not a good idea, as wildlife sitings occur quickly, and unpredictably. We recommend a small sized, 7 power binocular with a neck strap, that can fit into a saddle bag and be readily accessible. A separate harness which keeps the binoculars close to your chest is also recommended.

Personal Items: Our expedition locations are usually remote and do not have gift shops. Bring all your personal toiletries, eyeglasses, sunglasses, insect, sun and lip protection lotions and prescription medicine with enough for the entire trip.

Smoking: Expedition members are asked to refrain from smoking in or near vehicles, in lodging, on the trails, near any horses or horse structures (like barns, stalls, trailers, etc), and other times when we are in close proximity to each other.

Personalized Expeditions

Dunrovin Ranch Personalized Expeditions are perfect for corporations, non profit organizations, families, and other groups wanting to strengthen their group’s bonds and effectiveness through shared learning and recreation experiences. Dunrovin Ranch maintains a statewide network of professionals and businesses to assist in planning and conducting specialized expeditions. Our connections run across many different fields of interest – from healthcare to agriculture, from the performing arts to organizational management, from economics to wildlife conservation. Give us a special topic or purpose and we will utilize Montana’s many natural and human resources to tailor make an expedition that within your group’s budget. Examples of our Personalized Expeditions include:

• Corporate Leadership Training – Working with Brandon Carpenter of Itancan Round Pen Leadership Training. Dunrovin can develop a leadership training and recreation retreat that incorporates the use of horses in understanding behavior and how to be more effective in the workplace.
  
  
• Family Reunions – Dunrovin has hosted a number of family reunions and understands the need to develop expeditions that offer lots of choices for different levels of activity and interests; yet also foster opportunities for intergenerational communication and recreation. Family groups require special attention to food and lodging to accommodation a wide variety of likes and dislikes; schedules need to fully engage younger family members while providing older members with plenty of relaxation time.
  
  
• Women’s Spiritual Retreats – Clinical psychologist and horsewoman, Marianne Spitzform understands the power of horses, nature, and mindfulness training to deepen awareness of ourselves. She is available to work with Dunrovin to facilitate a women’s retreat focused on our inner selves. Several outstanding women in the mental and healthcare profession work with Dunrovin Ranch to offer
  

Personalized Expeditions take time to plan and organize – sometimes as much as a year. Contact Dunrovin Ranch Expeditions as soon as possible with your expedition idea!

Contact Us

CLICK HERE to download a form for reserving a trip.

To contact us for more information please fill out the following form:

>>May 17-20, 2008
Spirit of the West Photographic Expedition: A photographic journey on the Theodore Roosevelt Ranch near Glacier National Park.

>>June 3 or August 28, 2008
Big Sky at Night Overnight Expedition: Journey by horseback to the West Fork Butte for unforgettable night of star gazing, fine food, and sleeping in a fire lookout tower.

>>September 9-19, 2008
Both Sides of the Bob: A unique equestrian learning adventure across The Great Divide and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.

>>April, 2009
Spring in the Sage Country: Participate in the National Wildlife FederationÕs Adopt-a Lek program to ensure sage grouse conservation in western Montana.

>>May, 2009
Photographing the Wild Horses of the Wild West: A photographic experience from Miles City Bucking Horse Sale to the wild mustangs of the Pryor Mountains.

>>July 2009
Along the Mighty Clark Fork of the Columbia River: Travel the Clark Fork and learn about the many challenges faced by one of North America’s most important and scenic rivers.

>>August, 2009
Two Nations Across the Divide: Visit both the Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Blackfeet Tribe to learn the stories of their cultures and how they reflect their surroundings.

Learn more about Dunrovin's Expeditions

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