"JX Ranch, working cattle ranch and guest ranch in New Mexico"

"If God had meant for us to walk, He would have given us four legs -
Instead He gave us two - one for each side of a Horse"

The JX Ranch is a 7,000-acres working cattle ranch and guest ranch, not a "dude ranch", located in northeastern New Mexico with an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. The JX Ranch Headquarters sits in the shadow of the Caprock, a 400 feet steep escarpment that runs through the ranch. JX Ranch is owned and operated by the two of us, Tom and Mimi Sidwell. On this scenic ranch we pasture around 400 head of cattle (yearling steers) from April till October. We also have a small herd of Corriente cows, and sell Corriente roping cattle. During the summer months we take in a few guests at a time, who want to experience the day-to-day life on a cattle ranch, drive cattle to new pastures and anything else we do here.

We ride in the mornings to check the cattle. This usually takes anywhere from 3 - 5 hours riding. We run one herd on top of the Caprock, and one below. When it's time to move the cattle, you help gather and drive the cattle to a new pasture. Our grazing management puts emphasis on giving the plants long rest periods before being briefly grazed again. Therefore, we move cattle frequently.

In the afternoons we tend to have a dozen ranch chores to do - anything from fixing or building fences, brush control, to putting out salt and mineral for the cattle and wildlife, or anything else that may come along. You are more than welcome to join us and lend a helping hand. You may elect to take a drive in the afternoon to nearby Ute and Conchas Lakes, with boating, fishing and swimming. There are several sites to visit in an afternoon in the area. There may be a local rodeo or ranch rodeos going on too.

The cozy bunkhouse is the old homestead, dating back to the early 1900. It sits nestled among the cedar and juniper below the Caprock, and is part of the JX Ranch Headquarters. It can accommodate up to 4 guests; it has 2 room with 2 beds in each, and each room has its own kitchen and bathroom. The 2 rooms have a connecting door which allows for a group of 3 or 4 guests to be together. We take a maximum of 4 guests.

Families are welcome - children 6 - 12 get 25% off the regular price. All returning Guests automatically get a 10% discount! We are flexible - you decide what day of the week to arrive and to leave. Our only requirements are that you are in reasonably good physical shape, have some riding experience and stay a minimum of 3 nights. Contact us if you want to bring your own horses.

Because the JX Ranch is a cattle ranch and not a dude ranch, we do require that you have some riding experience. We do not ride nose to tail, but spread out when the terrain allows and you need to be able to control your horse. The terrain can be rough and steep in places. Our horses are gentle working ranch horses, but they are not dude horses. We've had some guests who hadn't ridden in a long time, wish they had "invested" in a few hours of riding before coming here to get those riding muscles used to being in the saddle again.

WELCOME TO JX RANCH

A Working Cattle Ranch & Guest Ranch

Quay, New Mexico

WELCOME TO JX RANCH A Working Cattle Ranch & Guest Ranch

Quay, New Mexico

WELCOME TO JX RANCH

A Working Cattle Ranch & Guest Ranch