Morning settles over the 92-acre ranch as the day begins in the foothills of the Whitefish Range. Hooves shift through the pasture as the Clydesdales gather near the fence line. Matt Ladensack and Benjamin Arnold begin their routine, tending to the horses with years of familiarity and skill. Since opening in 2019, Clydesdale Outpost has welcomed guests into a luxury guest-ranch experience shaped by heritage, hospitality and the presence of these iconic horses. As Matt said, “Clydesdales kind of built the world.” Here, that legacy still breathes. Still teaches. Still connects.
The Heart of the Ranch
Every day at the Outpost starts long before guests arrive. Staff and guides move through the barn, brushing out feathered legs, checking tack and preparing the horses for whatever the day holds—be it a sleigh ride in winter, a carriage tour in summer or a quiet moment meeting the herd. These early hours are the heart of the ranch for Matt and Benjamin, a time when the nature of the horses really shows. “They were bred and created as some of the most gentle and loving horses,” Matt said. “They absolutely love human interaction. So having a guest ranch with Clydesdales…it’s the perfect blend.”
“It’s about creating magic with Clydesdales.”
Shaping the Guest Experience
Clydesdale Outpost offers an elevated stay complemented by signature experiences that welcome both overnight guests and day visitors. Throughout the year, people connect with the ranch and its resident Clydesdales through horseback riding, carriage rides, barn tours, snowshoe outings, sleigh rides, special events and cabin stays with crackling fireplaces. For Kambr Barkoski, part of the Outpost team, that connection is everything: “I think when people leave here, they have this new understanding of the connection a human can make with a horse—and that can be life-changing.”
A Legacy Worth Sharing
Matt’s husband and cofounder, Benjamin Arnold, grew up in Fernwald, Germany, where his family bred Clydesdales and Shire horses. Bringing that knowledge to Montana wasn’t just business—it was a continuation of heritage. He and Matt envisioned a place where that history could meet Western Montana’s wild beauty, where guests wouldn’t just see the horses—they’d feel their presence. “There’s something uniquely magic about this area,” Matt reflected. “There’s something in the air. When people visit, they say there’s this energy here.” Summer sunsets over green pastures, winter nights glowing with cabin light, steam rising from hot tubs beneath star-filled skies—these are the quiet Montana moments that linger.
“There’s something uniquely magic about this area and there’s just something in the air and when people come and visit us they just say that there’s this amazing energy here.”
A Lasting Impression
At Clydesdale Outpost, every season offers its own way to slow down and connect—horse to human, human to place. It’s about curating experiences guests carry with them long after they leave. As Matt said, “It’s about creating magic with Clydesdales.” And that magic stays with you.
