Little Buckaroo Ranch

We took our 2 and a half year old there and LOVED the ranch. It’s run by a super duper nice and fun couple. My daughter did so many things! Rode the tractor, Played with the bunnies, ducks, roosters, chicks, fed the goats, pumped water from the well, and best of all, rode Cocoa, the beautiful Shetland horse! We definitely want to take her back to the ranch so that she can get used to the horses there and riding them!

From the initial phone call, trying to set up for my 5 year old godson from England to meet a real cowboy, in the short time he had here, to the last wave goodbye, this was a first class experience.
Miriam sent me directions, her phone numbers, moved the time at the last minute, waited as we were running late, and finally gave my godson a day to remember in Texas.
We thoroughly enjoyed all the activities, many of which were very different for a little one from England, and they made it fun, accessible, and easy for him.
I would recommend this to anyone, looking for a great time for their children, or visiting children, and for all the experiences and memories you get, the price is very modest indeed.

I went to the ranch about five years ago with our moms club and my two oldest kids. We paid on a per/​kid basis (with a minimum) and the kids got to groom a horse, ride a pony, and have a hot dog cookout. It was a great time and I always planned to go back and host my second son’s birthday party there when he was old enough. He’s turning five now and I just called and spoke to Miriam. It could not have been a more different vibe. First, she insisted that they had never done a per/​kid morning where the kids actually got to ride the horses, not just pet them (I have pictures…) then conceded that *maybe* *possibly* we may have done one with a ten dollar minimum that included pony rides. Moving on to discussing party options, I dared to ask if we could bring our own hot dogs or other lunch items with the basic party option ($ 300) instead of paying for the all inclusive party with hot dogs that they provide ($ 350) and she was extremely short with me, rude actually, and gave me a lecture about how much time that takes and what a mess it is and how you can bring «refreshments only.» In describing their different standard party options, everything was about the money even though I didn’t bring it up again… she did, several times. I felt nicked and dimed and she was only talking about what they actually include in the price. I asked if the 15 child minimum was firm or if we could go higher (you can, at $ 10 per kid) but she answered by telling me about how I should not feel like I need to invite the whole class and how extremely active five year old boys are and how more than 15 kids end up running around together. (yes, I know this… and *thought* that a large RANCH out in the middle of the country might be a place where five year olds could actually play…)
Its been years since I called a business inquiring about hiring them for something and was made to feel so much like I was putting that person out. I told her she seemed put-​out, she said she was just busy and had things on her mind, I thanked her and hung up. I always make allowances for people having a bad day, but after reading the other Unilocal reviews I understand that this may be her (or their) usual personality. I’m sure whatever is going on in her or their lives that makes them so crotchety is very sad; however, I am not willing to expose my kids and their friends to that to host my child’s birthday party there, adorable miniature horses or not.

I think the best part of Little Buckaroo Ranch was that it reminded me so much of my Great-Uncle’s farm where I spent a fair amount of my childhood, exploring barns and petting the animals in between setting off fireworks since it was outside the city limits.
For a four-​year-​old, this was right up the kids alley. My son and his friends had a great time and it was a nice change of pace from the Chuck-​E-​Cheese style of chaotic birthdays I can only imagine may be in my future.
The Cowboy and Cowgirl who run the ranch are, as stated by others. very strict and enforce their rules quickly — more than one person was snapped at for deviating. I’m guessing this comes with the experience of dealing with parties since the early 80’s — I can only imagine how many parties that amounts to and how many people wandering away, hurting themselves or the animals, or generally being insane or a nuisance. Even under controlled circumstances with fairly well-​behaved kids there were instances of running/​yelling at animals.
It’s straightforward — what you see is what you get, down to the last detail. If you go into it prepared and understanding this basic theme, then you’ll have a much better time.
I did note that people complained about the singing of «Old McDonald» — I don’t know if it’s the way my son and his class have been taught, but they understood that the toys were not theirs and put them back into the bag without any fuss. It didn’t seem rude or odd — the kids still enjoyed singing the song.

Owners are too bossy with their animal petting and group rules. Our grandpa, a man of 65 + was reprimanded for straying from the group. Totally uncalled for. Also they need to clean their grill. Hot dogs covered in ashes = yuk. They did a old mcdonald song where they passed out very small stuffed animals to 3 – 5 year olds then took them away from them leaving the kids and us with our jaws on the ground. It was just kind of cruel to small kids. We gave it a shot but sorry, i just would not tell others to try this as a place for a birthday.

Fun place for a kiddie birthday party!
They do a great a job entertaining the kids
— pony rides
— pinatas
— bbq hot dogs
— tractor rides
— races
All of this in under 2 hours. Can’t beat it!
Also, they have some beautiful horses…

I totally agree with Jennifer J. The Little Buckaroo Ranch owner (Miriam Wright) is very bossy and rude. I was just trying to organize my son’s birthday party and called her to get details and she was very strict, and not willing to hear me out. Basically I gave up and I am looking for another ranch to have my son’s birthday. It’s a waste of time to deal with these people. I tried to see if I could have catered food instead of her unhealthy hot dog cook out with fruit punch and her responses were so inappropriate and «hill-​billy» like. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY DEALING WITH THESE PEOPLE.

Our family went out there this past Saturday! It was amazing. Some of the reviews state these people being strict. I grew up around big horses and I will tell you that you want cowboys who are at least a little strict. We went out there and had a blast!!! My nieces had the time of their lives who are 4 and 6 yr olds. They got to see the farm life with several different types of animals and even ride a horse. They were super friendly. I hope that when you are around large animals as horses you make your kids mind and pay attention. If you don’t pay attention to what the leaders are saying your little ones could get trampled by a horse. Not something you want. When you go to the park you can let them run wild. However when you are around large animals you have to pay attention and be sharp about your reflexes. I would totally recommend this place to make your day awesome. We did this in my dads honor who loved horses. This was safe and very educational!!! Super fun!

These are the most uptight cowboys I’ve ever met. There were nothing but rules, rules, rules, and lots of barking of orders to the children. There are literally dozens of horses there, but they made 20 3-​year-​olds line up and wait for their turn, single file, and needless to say the kids got a little antsy and bored. The food was pretty slim pickings… pretzels and hot dogs. And the coyboys seemed more interested in cleaning up the mess than letting the kids finish their meal. It was a pretty long drive only to be verbally abused by a couple of cranky people who obviously have no business being around young children. I wouldn’t waste my money.

The owners were entirely too bossy and demanding of very young kids. The «petting» of the animals was barely touching them with the owners barking «2 fingers!» the whole time. The instruction of «fish kisses» was «barely touch the water with your finger, don’t get your fingernails wet.» this is a 3 yr old party mind you. One child was reprimanded for swinging his cowboy hat around NEAR a fence. Myself and another parent were asked to «join the party» because we were standing 10ft away from the group, while this mother had a double stroller with newborn twins. I felt sorry for the hostess of this party as I’m sure she had no idea how strict these people were. I understand instruction being given for being around farm animals, but the instructions were excessive and rude. I wouldn’t even consider attending another party at this venue.

I attended my second b-​day party here with my daughter this past weekend. The first party we went to here was a couple of years ago when the majority of the party-​goers were 3 and 4 yr. olds. Yesterday, the party-​goers were 5 and 6 yr. olds.
First, the good:
The property that the Little Buckaroo Ranch on is GORGEOUS. Rolling hills, live oaks, grazing buffalo on the adjacent field, etc. Even though it’s only a few miles outside of town, you feel like you’re really «in the country.»
The parties are well-​organized and keep the kiddos happy. The one we attended a couple of years ago was the «Barnyard Buddies» themed party for younger kiddos. They get to be around and pet some of the barnyard critters – including minature horses (which frankly, sort of freak me out. Horses just shouldn’t BE that small! Are you with me, people?). The party we attended this past weekend was the «Texas Tradition» party that featured a series of games for the kiddos and the obligatory «pony ride» on Coco.
Now, the not-​so-​good:
Remember when I said the kids’ parties are well-​organized? Well they are, but almost to the point of drudgery. The owners who orchestrate the parties seem, I dunno, bored and grumpy. I don’t know if it’s something that the kids can pick up, but as a parent, I sure did.
In the party packages, they offer one meal option: hot dogs on the outside grill. They provide franks, buns, ketchup, mustard, water, fruit punch, and paper plates and paper towels. They also had a bucket (literally) of pretzels. And that’s it. You’re expected to bring the b-​day cake and anything else you might need, which is fair. However, yesterday, they ran out of pretzels before the hot dogs were served, and out of paper towels before it was cake time (hotdogs are messy, yo!). And when I asked one of the owners if they had more paper towels, she snapped, «No!» as if I’d asked for her first born. Luckily, because there were a bunch of moms there, we all went to our cars and got our collection of Handi-​Wipes to help the kiddos get the icing off of their hands and faces. In other words, I would recommend bringing add’l. snacks, perhaps other drink options, veggie dogs (if you don’t eat meat), and lots of extra napkins.
I realize my critiques are pretty picky. Overall, this place is pretty great for those kiddos lucky enough to have spring or autumn b-​days (I imagine it would be MISERABLE during the height of the summer heat), and that’s really what matters, isn’t it?