MADERA HILLS RANCH, BALMORHEA TEXAS--P.O. BOX 12, TOYAHVALE, TEXAS, 79786 (432-375-0296)

Madera Hills Ranch invites you to enjoy the Davis Mountains' rugged beauty in West Texas.  All this space and quiet of the Big Bend Desert area allows you to restore  peace of mind and connect to the great outdoors.  In this setting,  Kate Vigneron - owner of Madera Hills Ranch and certified teacher of the F.M.Alexander Technique, trains her Walkers to be well-mannered, dependable trail mounts and holds seminars teaching the F. M. Alexander Technique as it applies to horsemanship skills.

Learn relaxation, posture and balance with the F. M. Alexander Technique in this peaceful setting, away from the hectic pace of day-to-day living, and take a sense of well-being with you when you leave here.

The ranch offers year-round bunkhouse accommodations and guided trail rides with your own horse. Experienced riders can enjoy "The Ride of Their Life"  on one of the ranch's  Tennessee Walking Horses.

Madera Hills Ranch offers an "Equine Rest Stop facility including guest house, stalls, paddocks, round-pen, riding arenas, outside and covered, and large barn with 12'x12' stalls with shavings.  RV must be self-contained.  Stalls $ 20.00 per night, per horse. Check EDUCATIONAL VACATION PACKAGES for pricing and services. 

As a young girl growing up in Louisiana, I would follow my Dad on horseback through the piney woods and swamps checking timber.  For myself and others I knew and rode with, riding meant simply to climb up in the saddle, kick to go and pull on the reins to stop.  I was always doing the same old thing with my horse.

Today riding is much different with years of life and knowledge acquired through the training for and teaching of the Alexander Technique.  It is obvious now that the quality of communication that the rider has with his horse is determined by his awareness and control (use) of his own body and degree of muscle tension.  The lighter and more subtle the communication with the horse, the better trained and riddent the horse becomes.

Astride a horse, the balance point is at the bottom of the vertical alignment of the head, torso and pelvis over the sit bones, neither in front of them, nor behind them.  The rider's weight is centered vertically over the sit bones, permitting free movement of the hips and legs for leg reining and cueing (an independent seat).  For instance, in a "crotch position" for riding, the pelvis is tilted forward creating tension in the lower back producing discomfort and ever pain.  This hollowed back has undersirable consequences for the horse.  Many poor postural habits limiting performance go unnoticed in chosen actvities until discomfort or pain occurs.

In a series of lessons a student learns to recognize and change tension patterns and poor postural habits affecting their well being and performance whether in daily activities or riding, golfing, playing a musical instrument or working at a computer.

Learning to improve the use of the head, neck, back relationship frees the WHOLE body to move as the dynamic flexible instrument it was designed to be.

TESTIMONIALS:

1)  Hi Kate just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the time we spent at your ranch.  It was really exciting to get off the beaten path and see what Texas really looks like.  We think you have done a wonderful job building your ranch and are a little bit envious. We will have fond memories.  We really would have liked to take Pusher home with us if it wasn't so far away.  I do hope to visit again soon.  You have just a wonderful place with lots of friendly co-workers and nice horses.  Again thanks for helping make our vacation special.  Pat and Wayne, from Ohio


2)
Just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know how much Katie and I enjoyed staying with you for our vacation.  You made a 9 year girls dream come true.  I can't say enough about your kind of Southern Hospitality.  Katie was able to plan her own agenda and fill her days with all the things she loved, while I could relax and enjoy my time with her.  Finally we had a vacation that a Dad and Daughter could agree upon.  The food was great (very thoughtful of you to get her brand of Peanut Butter) and I loved the BBQ with Freddie and Mr. Dick.  You just don't get that at a Holiday Hotel!!  We especially enjoyed your horses.  The facilities were top notch, and your love and caring for your animals really shows through.  Thanks again, and please tell Dick, Freddie, and Jose thanks for their extra help.  We will be seeing you again real soon, Kris, from Michigan

3)
This Alexander Technique is the darndest thing I ever saw.  After seeing two sports doctors and a chiropractor my walking problem persisted.  I then did everything in the world to figure it out on my own: did I limp because my stride was longer with one leg?.....etc. Then I went to see Kate and she observed my walking and saw that my knee was twisting inward "falling" as I walked.  So I concentrated on having my knee go out over my toes--Things got immediately better-- now I am learning that walking is a function of the whole body coming from the back.  Working with Alexander directions I feel my whole body getting lighter and easier as I move.  Ellen, Texas

PRECIOUS

PRECIOUS IS AS PRECIOUS DOES
SHE STEPS IN HER BUCKET JUST BECAUSE

Nearby points of interest include Balmorhea State Park  with it's natural spring-fed swimming pool, McDonald Observatory, and the Davis Mountains scenic loop as well as the historic, picturesque towns of Ft. Davis, Marfa (check out the mysterious Marfa lights), and Alpine with it's wonderfully unique shops. Don't forget about Pecos, and the  West of the Pecos Museum , a must for history buffs.

For more information on the programs available, please email us!