Welcome to the French Broad Outpost Ranch
A dude ranch vacation where you get to do things together like a family.
FAQ
Our Dude Ranch gives you these things: a restful place to relax and spend time with your family, great food, great horses and trail experiences, and a vacation to remember a lifetime.
1. Why does your ranch use all Arabians?
Answer: Our family started breeding Arabian horses in 1987. In 1991, we decided to open a ranch so people could learn about the Arabian horse and that they make very good trail horses. This fact is not widely known since many Arabian horse owners prefer to show their horses and leave them “Hot” which is a term for this breed of horse and many others. In simple terms, horses that are not trained to face fear using round pen training techniques, like in the movie “Horse Whisperer”, could be termed “hot-blooded.” The Arabian horse when trained in this manner makes one of the best trail horses, and our record of safety proves it.
2. Can I bring my own horse?
Answer: We do not allow any outside horses.
3. Can I ride the horses without a guide?
Answer: No, all of our rides are with our experienced guides.
4. Can I get a special menu for my package deal?
Answer: Yes, by request when you make your reservation, we can offer you a meatless meal serving or lacto-ovo vegetarian meals instead of our regular meals and you can get gluten-free meals. All special diets are an extra charge.
5. What should I wear for horseback riding and rafting?
Answer: Horseback riders should wear long pants and shoes with heels. Rafters should wear clothes similar to beachwear or summer jogging clothes. The time of year also determines what else you might need, so keep that in mind as you pack.
6. Do you have a weight limit for horseback riding?
Answer: Yes we do, and it is 225 lbs to participate in all the horseback activities. We do allow individuals between 225 lbs. and 240 lbs. maximum to do the following if they can physically mount the horse and lean forward when needed: cattle drive, team penning, and the blue trail; but we withhold the right to deny this if the horse shows signs of not being able to perform safely. Riders in this range are permitted to ride on trails once a day. Anyone that is over 240 lbs. and will not be riding can participate in the water and other activities we offer.
7. Do you have a minimum riding age?
Answer: Yes. Kids 7 and older can ride the trail rides without taking a private lesson at the ranch. Kids 5 and 6 must take a one hour lesson to determine if they have the skill and maturity to go out on the regular rides. We can lead walk a horse in the corral for kids less than 5 with one of their parents by their side for safety a few minutes each day.
8. Can ranch personnel babysit my kids?
Answer: No. We are not authorized by the State of Tennessee to babysit. We do have a couple times each week during the summer primarily, kids programs when sometimes their parents are elsewhere, but kids less than 7 require at least one adult to stay behind and accompany them. Our programs are set up for families to stay together as much as possible, to maximize good times together.
9. If I have to cancel after mailing in my check, would I get a refund?
Answer: Please refer to the rates page for current covid cancellation policy.
10. Can I keep a cooler in my room or cabin?
Answer: No, but you can keep one on the covered deck of the building or cabin you’re staying in. Coolers with ice sweat and most of our floors are wood so it creates damage when it gets wet from a cooler.
11. Can I keep alcohol in my room or cabin or ice cooler so that I can drink it at will?
Answer: No, you cannot keep any alcohol of any kind in your room, cabin, or ice cooler because of Safety and Insurance policies. You may purchase beer and wine coolers we have for sale in the saloon during hours with no outdoor activities. All other types of alcohol (Whisky, Bourbon, Gin, etc) can be brought by you to the ranch, turning it in at the bar, then we will serve it to you (free of charge) through our saloon. The reason for this is because we offer outdoor activities that contain certain inherent risks, and anyone using alcohol is prohibited from participating for their safety and protection. We reserve the right to deny outdoor activities to anyone that we believe is in non-compliance with policy #11 and offer no refunds of any kind for any or all missed activities.
12. Do your accommodations have usual personal items like today’s motels like hair dryers, irons, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
Answer: No, our rooms although modernly equipped with air conditioning and bathrooms, are not supplied with regular personal items. The reason being is most of our guests stay a week and supplying these items are not feasible like staying one night in a motel. Dude Ranches are a unique vacation, and one of the most memorable ones by almost every survey done, which means the “norm” of everyday life will be different. Our rooms have soap, linens & paper products.
13. Will I be able to drive right in the ranch on check-in day no matter what time I arrive?
Answer: No, our gates open at approximately 4 pm on check-in days so that our staff can prepare rooms and other parts of the ranch for incoming guests. We are similar to a cruise ship in that we have to allow ourselves a few hours between guests in order to clean rooms and other maintenance things that can be best done without traffic flow. You do not have to arrive at 4 pm, that is just the earliest you can get inside the ranch. Supper is served only at 6 pm so we hope you can arrive by that hour. If you’re not going to make it to the ranch by 6 pm, call us 800-995-7678. If you are not going to make it to the ranch by 10 pm, you might have to stay elsewhere that night as we do not have a 24 hour attendant like a Motel or Hotel does.
Get In Touch!
frenchbroadriver@yahoo.com
1-800-995-7678
461 Old River Rd Del Rio, TN 37727
