Escape to Hidden Horse Ranch
By Tiffany Watkins

The ranch has a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Photos courtesy of Hidden Horse Ranch

Hidden Horse Ranch is a working cattle ranch that offers boarding and lessons as well as day passes for roaming the family-owned and operated 120-acre ranch on Old Julian Highway.

Vickie Neilson and Henry Jaggi own the ranch.

In addition, other family members help maintain the ranch. Jaggi's brother Mike, along with his daughter Jessica pitch in, making sure the horses get fed and cleaned at the same time every day.

Neilson said that one feature most comment on about the ranch is the peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

That's due to the fact that horses at the ranch don't pace or make a lot of noise, actions usually related to the stress of not knowing when it's feeding time.

"People say it's not a manicured ranch, it's a working ranch," Neilson said. "But of course, it's always nice and neat."

Hidden Horse Ranch is currently boarding 60 horses. However, there will be openings for about eight horses in September.

Day passes are available for trail rides on the property.

Neilson said services include horse feeding and cleaning. In addition, the ranch has tack rooms and space to park trailers.

The ranch also offers team penning and ranch sorting lessons bi-monthly, when Steve Tellam and Sherrie Songer lead the drills.

In addition, day passes are available to riders who want to trail ride throughout the property. Riders are able to guide their horses through the pastures with the cattle.

Neilson also added that the area is a great place to train horses for cross country with the mountainous terrain. There's also creeks on the property.

"There is so much diversity at the ranch with the English and western riders." Jessica Jaggi said.

Hidden Horse Ranch is located at 23970 Old Julian Highway. For more information, call 760-789-9514 or visit www.HiddenHorseRanch.com.