Not the most familiar with riding on the trail?

Here are some tips to make your horseback ride as enjoyable as possible!

First and foremost, some basic preparation will go a long way in ensuring you have a great ride. Below are some trail riding necessities:

• Water
• Chapstick
• Sunscreen (apply before your ride)
• A hat (baseball or cowboy) If you chose cowboy, make sure you have stampede strings in order to not lose your hat in a gust of wind! We also have helmets available.
• Proper clothing. This is the trickiest to get right. We post the weather everyday in the main lodge so you will know what to expect before you ride. It’s generally best to have the option to layer or delayer depending on the temperature. We can always store your extra layer in your saddle bag . As for pants, we do require that our guests ride in jeans (they are the most comfortable in the saddle!)
• The right boots are also key. It’s important to have boots with a heel, and minimal tread on the bottom. A little bit of texture is fine on the bottom, but your boot can’t resemble a hiking or running shoe.

Secondly, it is important to remember that your wrangler is an expert at trail riding and wilderness skills, and they are there to make sure you have an awesome ride. We encourage all of our guests not to hesitate in asking for a helping hand. As one may guess, wranglers are especially knowledgeable when it comes to riding tips; they can advise you on how to sit properly in your saddle, control your horse, and especially stop your horse from snacking on grass.

We hope this blog makes you feel more comfortable about your first trail ride, and we can’t wait to see you this summer!