Amenities
- Private, freestanding guesthouse
- 1 Queen bed
- Kitchenette with air fryer and Keurig
- Luxury bath products
- Powerful AC and heating
- Room-darkening shades
- Trailer parking
- Pickleball court
- Washer & Dryer onsite (separate building)
- Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart deliver
- 30 minutes from downtown Austin
- Missing something? Just ask!
Facilities
- 100' x 200' lighted, outdoor arena
- New jump course
- 16 acres to ride
- Secure shelter for horses in any weather
- Ample, climate controlled storage for tack and gear
Don't take our word for it
★★★★★I came to Big Dark Horse Development looking to give my young horse a positive, educational off-property experience. My horse and I both left feeling way more confident, connected, and inspired. From slow mornings eating breakfast alongside my horse, to challenging lessons pushing me out of my comfort zone, I loved my stay at Big Dark Horse and hope to be back again in the future!
Meghan S.
★★★★★Nemo and I have had some issues being able to move out and under himself. He was diagnosed with Kissing Spine back in the spring of 2024 and had the ostectomy surgery following shortly. Katrina and Brooke both watched him move and shared that my concerns were valid and I was not exaggerating. They had a game plan ready to go and broke down each exercise down into a language I could understand. The best part was, they EXPLAINED WHY we were doing and WHAT it does to help the horse. I have not had an instructor go so in depth to the reasoning of what we were doing and that was really what I needed to be to see the benefit. Katrina and Brooke have a one-of-a-kind experience at this retreat. I WILL be returning, as the positives of this experience were beneficial to our success moving forward as a partnership.
Jules P.
★★★★★Looking for a safe place to take your green horse? Are you looking to get back into horses after a break? Do you want to strengthen your Horsemanship skills? This is THE PLACE to go!! I had a great time with my horse & Brooke was a wonderful host! I'm going back to play with some of her horses too!!
Sarah C.
FAQs
Our sweet sport is adult amateurs who are currently riding regularly. We specialize in helping riders build deeper understanding of horse psychology, biomechanics, and rider responsibility. Ground work, flatwork, jumping courses, navigating obstacles and terrain out cross country - all can be done with more relaxation, connection, and confidence.
We do accept true beginners on a case-by-case basis. This is a holistic, immersive experience that teaches the foundations of horse training and literacy. If you are a beginner coming for a one-week stay with visions of cantering through a pasture with the sun and wind in your hair - you may or may not get there in the time allotted. If you believe there's real magic in connecting with horses whether you're on the ground or in the saddle, we can create an amazing experience for you.
Contact us if you're unsure, and we can find out whether we're the right fit for you!
There is one queen bed in our guesthouse. A cot can be provided, if desired, but this does create a slightly cramped feel in the space.
You are welcome to bring a second guest, provided you are comfortable with these sleeping arrangements.
If the second guest is participating in the horsemanship/riding experience, additional charges apply. Contact us for a quote based on your specifications.
If the second guest is not participating in the horsemanship experience, there is no additional charge for them to stay on the property and audit your experience.
We make every attempt to honor reservations and can adjust session schedules and/or haul to nearby facilities with covered arenas when needed. We do not have a covered arena on-property. In the rare case of truly severe inclement weather, we may be forced to cancel your stay. In this case, we will work with you to reschedule or refund your stay. Cancellations within two weeks of arrival are at the discretion of Big Dark Horse Development.
Yes.
We are 25-30 minutes from downtown Austin. You may choose to drive to us, rent a car (airport pickup/dropoff is easy if you're flying in), or Uber/Lyft around from the property. Uber/Lyft are easy to get.
If you are hauling to us with your horse, trailer parking is available at no additional cost. Please be sure to let us know the size of your rig so we can plan accordingly.
No. Meals are on your own.
The guesthouse is equipped with a fridge, air fryer/toaster oven, and Keurig for coffee.
Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart deliver to the property.
We are 25-30 minutes from downtown Austin, and less from many great restaurants in the Pflugerville and Round Rock areas.
