Mortenson Ranch
Terms & Conditions.
Ranch activities involve inherent risk. Horseback riding, buffalo encounters, and outdoor activities carry risks that cannot be fully eliminated. Section 8 (Assumption of Risk) and Section 9 (Liability & Waiver) cover these in full.
Acceptance of Terms.
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of mortensonranch.com and your visit to our property at 2 Bonanza Creek Rd, Santa Fe, New Mexico. By making a reservation, visiting the ranch, or using this website, you agree to these Terms in full.
These Terms apply to all guests, visitors, production clients, event clients, vendors, and anyone interacting with Mortenson Ranch in any capacity. If you do not agree, please do not use our services or visit the property.
Please read these Terms carefully — especially Sections 8 (Assumption of Risk) and 9 (Liability & Waiver). They contain important provisions about safety, liability, and dispute resolution.
Eligibility.
You must be at least eighteen (18) years old to make a reservation, sign a waiver on your own behalf, or enter into any agreement with Mortenson Ranch. By booking, you represent that you meet this requirement and have the legal authority to agree to these Terms.
For minors visiting the ranch, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them and sign all required waivers and consent forms on their behalf. See Section 12 for additional details on minors.
Bookings & Reservations.
All reservations for experiences, events, weddings, and productions are subject to availability. A booking is not confirmed until you receive written confirmation from Mortenson Ranch and any required deposit has cleared.
- Deposits are required to secure most reservations and are non-refundable except where these Terms or a separate agreement state otherwise
- Pricing, availability, group minimums, and offerings are subject to change without notice
- We reserve the right to decline any booking at our sole discretion
- All members of your party must be disclosed at the time of booking
- Production and commercial inquiries require a separate written Location Agreement — see Section 21
- We do not accept walk-in bookings for guided experiences; advance reservations are required
- Booking on behalf of others means you accept these Terms for every person in your party
Pricing, Payment & Taxes.
All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars (USD) and are exclusive of applicable taxes, gratuities, and incidental fees unless otherwise stated.
- Payments are processed securely by Shopify Payments and Stripe
- We accept major credit cards; wire transfers may be arranged for productions and large events
- New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is applied where required
- For events with variable costs, a final invoice is issued after the visit and payment is due within fourteen (14) days
- Disputes about charges must be raised within thirty (30) days of the charge date
- Failed payments may result in cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of any deposit
- Gratuities for guides and staff are appreciated but never required
Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Specific cancellation terms are outlined in your booking confirmation. The following are general guidelines:
- 14+ days before: Full refund or credit toward a future booking
- 7–13 days before: 50% refund; deposit forfeited
- Less than 7 days: No refund
- No-shows: Non-refundable
- Mortenson Ranch may cancel or reschedule due to weather, safety concerns, animal welfare, or circumstances beyond our control — in such cases you will receive a full refund or reschedule at no charge
- Refunds are processed within fourteen (14) business days to the original payment method
- Wedding and event cancellations are governed by your specific event contract, which controls in any conflict with this section
Rescheduling.
Subject to availability, you may request to reschedule your booking. Rescheduling requests made seven (7) or more days in advance are honored without penalty. Within seven days of the visit, rescheduling may be subject to a fee equal to your forfeited deposit.
One (1) reschedule per booking is allowed at no charge; subsequent reschedules may be treated as cancellations under Section 5. To request a reschedule, contact us as early as possible — we cannot guarantee availability for last-minute changes.
Check-In, Arrival & Identification.
Please arrive at the time specified in your booking confirmation. Late arrivals may forfeit part or all of their experience without refund.
- Government-issued photo ID may be required at check-in for waiver verification
- All members of your party must be present at the start of the experience
- Inappropriate attire (open-toed shoes for rides, loose accessories around livestock) may result in a modified or canceled experience
- Allow extra time for orientation, waiver signing, and gear fitting — typically 15–30 minutes before activity start
- Failure to comply with check-in requirements is treated as a no-show under Section 5
Assumption of Risk. Read This
Ranch activities — including horseback riding, buffalo encounters, guided tours, arena use, hiking, and outdoor events — involve inherent risks of injury, accident, or death. By participating, you voluntarily and knowingly assume all such risks.
Inherent risks include but are not limited to: animal behavior (horses, buffalo, and other livestock are large, unpredictable animals); terrain hazards (uneven ground, rocks, drop-offs, water crossings); weather conditions (heat, cold, lightning, wind, dust); equipment failure; environmental conditions (wildlife, insects, plants); and the actions, inactions, or decisions of other participants.
You agree that you are voluntarily participating in these activities, that no one is forcing you to participate, and that you accept full responsibility for your own safety and well-being throughout your visit.
Liability & Waiver. Read This
All participants must sign a written liability waiver before engaging in physical activities. Minors require a parent or legal guardian to sign on their behalf.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortenson Ranch, its owners, operators, employees, agents, contractors, and volunteers (collectively, the "Released Parties") are not liable for injuries, accidents, illness, property damage, theft, or losses arising from participation in ranch activities, your visit to the property, or your use of this website — except where caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Released Parties.
In no event shall the aggregate liability of the Released Parties exceed the amount you paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim. Released Parties are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages.
Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages. The above limitations may not apply in those jurisdictions.
Indemnification.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Mortenson Ranch and its owners, operators, employees, agents, contractors, and volunteers from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to: your visit to the property; your actions or omissions while on the property; your violation of these Terms; your violation of any law or the rights of any third party; or your use of this website.
This indemnification obligation survives the end of your visit and the termination of these Terms.
Health, Age & Physical Requirements.
Many ranch activities have physical requirements for the safety of guests and animals. By booking, you confirm that you meet the requirements for your selected experience.
- Horseback riding: Minimum age seven (7) for trail rides; weight limit 250 lbs (113 kg) for the safety of our horses
- Riders must be in reasonable physical condition and able to mount, dismount, and control a horse with guide instruction
- Guests with cardiac conditions, back or neck injuries, seizure disorders, recent surgery, or pregnancy should consult a physician before participating in physical activities
- You must disclose all relevant medical conditions on your waiver — failure to disclose may void the waiver and any related insurance
- Our staff reserve the right to decline participation if they determine an activity poses a safety risk to you, other guests, our staff, or our animals
- We make accommodations where reasonably possible — see our Accessibility Statement for details
Minors & Supervision.
Guests under eighteen (18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during their visit, unless specifically arranged in writing in advance (such as a school program or youth group with chaperones).
- A parent or legal guardian must sign all waivers, releases, and consent forms on the minor's behalf
- Children under seven (7) are not permitted on trail rides; lead-line pony rides may be available for younger children
- Minors are the responsibility of their accompanying adult while on the property
- Mortenson Ranch staff are not babysitters and do not assume responsibility for unsupervised minors
- Disruptive minors may be removed from activities at the staff's discretion without refund
Service Animals.
Service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are welcome at Mortenson Ranch. Calling ahead helps us coordinate routes around livestock.
- Service animals must remain leashed or harnessed except where the work the animal performs prevents this
- Owners are responsible for the behavior, waste cleanup, and safety of their service animals
- Service animals that pose a direct threat to livestock or other guests may be asked to leave the activity area
- Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA but may be permitted in some areas with prior arrangement
- Pet animals (non-service) are not permitted on the property without prior written approval
Photography, Filming & Drones.
Personal photography for private, non-commercial use is welcome during your visit. Any commercial or professional use requires a separate written agreement.
- Mortenson Ranch retains all rights to the property, structures, animals, and brand identity in any captured imagery
- Commercial photography, professional video, or any filming for sale, license, or paid promotion requires a written Location Agreement and may require a location fee
- Drones and other aerial vehicles are prohibited on the property without prior written approval — this includes both recreational and commercial use
- Mortenson Ranch may photograph or record activity at the ranch for our own marketing — opt out by informing staff on arrival
- Wedding photography and videography by your hired vendors is permitted under your event contract
- Influencer or branded social media content featuring the ranch requires advance approval
Ranch Rules & Guest Conduct.
Mortenson Ranch is a working ranch with active livestock. All guests are expected to treat the land, animals, staff, and fellow guests with respect. Disruptive, unsafe, harassing, or disrespectful behavior will result in immediate removal from the property without refund.
- Follow all staff instructions immediately, especially around animals
- Stay within designated guest areas unless accompanied by staff
- Do not feed, touch, or approach animals without staff supervision
- Do not enter pens, paddocks, or working areas without authorization
- Pack out what you bring in — no littering on the property
- No fires or open flames except in designated fire pits with staff approval
- Be courteous and reasonable with noise levels, especially around animals
- Harassment, discrimination, or threats toward staff or other guests will result in immediate removal and may be reported to law enforcement
- We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone
Alcohol, Tobacco & Controlled Substances.
- Alcohol is permitted only in designated areas and during approved events
- No alcohol consumption before or during horseback rides or other physical activities — participants who appear impaired will not be permitted to ride and forfeit their booking
- Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated outdoor areas. Fire risk is significant on our property — cigarette butts must be fully extinguished and disposed of in provided receptacles
- Possession or use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited and is grounds for immediate removal and contact with law enforcement
- While cannabis is legal in New Mexico for adults 21+, its use is prohibited on Mortenson Ranch property to maintain a safe environment for all guests, staff, and animals
- Guests appearing impaired by any substance may be denied participation in activities at staff discretion, with no refund
Weapons, Hunting & Fishing.
- No firearms, weapons, bows, or hunting equipment permitted on the property without prior written authorization from ranch management
- Lawful concealed-carry permit holders should disclose to management on arrival
- No hunting or discharge of weapons on the property without written authorization
- Recreational fishing is permitted only in designated areas and only with prior approval
- All applicable New Mexico hunting and fishing regulations and license requirements apply
- Trapping, poaching, or harming wildlife is strictly prohibited and will be reported to authorities
Vehicles, Parking & Speed Limits.
- Park only in designated areas; vehicles parked outside designated areas may be towed at the owner's expense
- Speed limit on ranch roads: 15 mph (24 km/h). Animals may cross at any time and dust kicked up at speed is hazardous to riders and animals
- ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and recreational off-highway vehicles are prohibited on the property without authorization
- Mortenson Ranch is not responsible for damage, theft, or loss to vehicles or their contents while parked on the property
- Vehicles left overnight without authorization may be towed at the owner's expense
- Always yield to livestock, ranch equipment, and pedestrians
Property Damage & Restitution.
Guests are responsible for any damage they cause to ranch property, structures, animals, equipment, or fixtures — whether intentional, negligent, or accidental.
- Damages are assessed by ranch management and invoiced to the responsible party
- Payment is due within thirty (30) days of invoice
- Major damage may require an immediate deposit before continuing your visit or booking future services
- For weddings, productions, and large events, we document property condition before and after the event for clarity
- Damage to or harm of any animal will be assessed at full replacement and care cost, including veterinary expenses
- Failure to pay for assessed damages may result in legal collection and is grounds for permanent ban from the property
Weddings & Private Events.
Weddings and private events are governed by these Terms together with your specific event contract. In any conflict, the event contract controls.
- Event contracts include detailed timelines, vendor requirements, alcohol service rules, music and sound restrictions, and cleanup obligations
- All event vendors must be approved by Mortenson Ranch in advance
- Outside catering requires a separate agreement and must meet our food safety and waste management standards
- Event end times are strictly enforced due to noise ordinances, lighting, and animal welfare considerations
- Couples are responsible for the conduct of their guests, vendors, and any contractors they bring onto the property
- Insurance coverage may be required for certain event types — details provided in your event contract
- Event cancellation and refund terms are governed by your specific event contract
Productions & Commercial Use.
Film, television, photography, brand activations, and any commercial use of the ranch require a separate written Location Agreement.
- Production agreements include location fees, scheduling, scope of use, crew limits, indemnification, insurance requirements, and access rules
- Insurance certificates and indemnification documents are required before any production day — minimum coverage limits set in the Location Agreement
- We reserve the right to deny any production based on content, scale, animal welfare concerns, or compatibility with the ranch and its other commitments
- The property, brand, and animals may not be used in any commercial content without explicit written permission
- NDAs are routinely executed for productions and are honored by both parties
- Production damages are governed by Section 19 and any additional terms in the Location Agreement
- Failure to comply with the Location Agreement may result in immediate shutdown of the production with no refund of fees
Intellectual Property & Brand.
All content on mortensonranch.com — including text, photographs, video, logos, designs, and the Mortenson Ranch name — is the intellectual property of Mortenson Ranch, our partners, or our licensors. Use without permission is prohibited.
- "Mortenson Ranch" and our associated logos are trademarks of Mortenson Ranch
- Personal sharing of website content with attribution is permitted; commercial use, republication, or modification is not
- Reverse engineering, scraping, framing, or systematic copying of the website is prohibited
- Use of our brand, logo, name, or imagery in your own marketing requires advance written permission
- Submitting content to us (testimonials, photos, reviews) grants us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use that content in our marketing, with attribution where appropriate
Website Acceptable Use.
You may use mortensonranch.com for lawful purposes only and in accordance with these Terms.
- No unauthorized access, security testing, or attempts to disrupt service
- No automated scraping, harvesting, or systematic data extraction
- No spam, fraudulent activity, or impersonation
- No uploading or transmitting viruses, malware, or other harmful code
- No interference with other users' access to or use of the website
- We may suspend or terminate access for violations without notice
- The website is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied
Force Majeure.
Mortenson Ranch is not liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather, fire, drought, flood, earthquake, animal illness or quarantine, public health emergencies, government actions or restrictions, civil unrest, labor disputes, utility failures, supply chain disruptions, and acts of God.
In such events, we will work in good faith with affected guests to reschedule, refund, or otherwise address the impact in a fair and reasonable manner.
Modifications, Severability & Entire Agreement.
Modifications. We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of our website or services after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect, and the unenforceable provision shall be interpreted to give effect to the parties' original intent to the maximum extent permissible.
Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with your booking confirmation, signed waivers, and any executed event or production agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and Mortenson Ranch regarding the subject matter and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications, or representations.
No Waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or any other.
Assignment. You may not assign or transfer these Terms or any rights under them without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a sale, merger, or restructuring.
Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Disputes.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The federal and state courts located in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or your visit to Mortenson Ranch, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
Informal Resolution First. Before filing any formal action, the parties agree to first attempt good-faith resolution through informal discussion for at least thirty (30) days following written notice of the dispute.
Statute of Limitations. Any claim against Mortenson Ranch must be filed within one (1) year of the date the event giving rise to the claim occurred, or it shall be permanently barred — to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Attorneys' Fees. In any action to enforce these Terms, the prevailing party is entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
Contact Us.
For questions about these Terms, please reach out using the details below. We acknowledge inquiries about these Terms within five (5) business days.