A Winter Horseback Riding Vacation at Hidden Meadow Ranch

Take Your Horse on a Winter Luxury Adventure

 How often do you think about taking your horse along on a snowy horseback riding vacation? Somehow, sitting by the fire in a luxury cabin, after finishing a gourmet meal, seems more like an experience for the ski slopes than a winter ranch visit.

At Hidden Meadow Ranch, in the White Mountains of Arizona, you’ll find luxury horseback riding vacation accommodations, horses and snow. About a 4-hour-drive from Phoenix, the ranch’s elevation of 8500 ft. practically guarantees a wintry scene, or cool relief during sweltering Arizona summers. The 150- acre property is surrounded by a 5,700-acre wildlife habitat that restricts motorized vehicles. The adjacent Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (two million acres) provides access to 975 miles of trails, enough to keep even the most experienced horseback riding enthusiast happy.

Luxury for Your Horse

 A limited number of guest stalls (additional daily charge) are available in the Outfitter Barn so it’s best to make reservations with Hidden Meadow Ranch early. Your horse will luxuriate in a stall with bedded shavings, a twice-daily cleaning and automatic waterers. He’ll be fed alfalfa hay two times a day plus turnout time in the pasture. For your horse to qualify for this luxury horseback riding vacation, you must bring proof of current vaccinations.

Hidden Meadow Ranch Luxury Horseback Riding Vacation

Luxury for You

 And where will you be staying during your horseback riding vacation? The all-inclusive ranch offers 12 luxury cabins complemented by wood-burning fireplaces, Syrius radio, wireless internet, snacks and soft drinks in the kitchenette. A master bedroom features down comforters and fine linens, while an upstairs loft provides extra sleeping space.

What about the horseback riding? Wranglers guide horseback riding vacation guests on trail rides that run the gamut from novice to advanced, providing an introduction to the scenic beauty of the White Mountains. The ranch also offers a riding arena for riders who would like to brush up on their skills. Did you leave your favorite horse at home? No problem. With 48 horses on the property, you’re sure to find the perfect ride. No room for boots in your luggage? Hidden Meadow Ranch provides loaner boots to those guests who leave their boots at home, a real bonus if you’re traveling by air.

You’ll need those rides to work off the gourmet meals served in the rustically elegant main ranch house. For breakfast, choose from a continental selection or request a made-to-order hot meal.  At  lunch and dinner order from a menu that includes appetizer, salad, soup, main course and desert selections.

Donna Hull on a Horseback Riding Vacation

When you’re ready to take a break from equestrian experiences, your personal concierge will arrange other ranch activities for you to experience. From guided snow shoe hikes in the winter to fly fishing in the summer, the list of activities will more than keep you occupied on your horseback riding vacation.

Luxury Riding in the Snow

You don’t have to be an experienced equestrian to enjoy a winter horseback riding vacation at Hidden Meadow Ranch. On my visit, a wrangler worked with me in the arena, assessing my novice abilities. After a short lesson, we headed out on a ride in the snow. Unfortunately, a monster storm had deposited about eight feet of the white stuff, limiting the ride to ranch roads, which had been cleared of snow. Afterwards, I relaxed by the fire in the ranch house as I sipped a cup of decadent hot chocolate. This is one winter horseback riding vacation that I’ll be repeating.

If you go:

Hidden Meadow Ranch

Greer, AZ

(866) 333-4080 (toll free)

Freelance writer Donna L. Hull writes about active travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet

A horseback riding vacation at Sucandi in Brazil

As I watch the YouTube video of horse and rider going through their dressage routine, my mind day dreams of a horseback riding vacation in Brazil. I have never ridden a Lusitano horse, but these magnificent animals are certainly pleasing to the eye.

While I haven’t yet met Florian Pass, the owner of Sucandi, an equestrian center in Brazil, I have now added “ride a Lusitano” to my wish list.

I have only met Florian by way of Twitter, a micro blogging platform. I made the mistake of clicking on the Sucandi website and proceeded to waist an entire afternoon looking at pictures of gorgeous Lusitano horses. To make matters worse, I visited their YouTube site and watched these athletes go through seamless dressage routines. True, I didn’t get any writing done, but I did have a nice time going on a horseback riding vacation in Brazil without leaving my home!

Vencedor and Ticao Waiting to take you on a Sucandi Horseback Riding Vacation

If you find yourself in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a horseback riding vacation, Sucandi is located 40 minutes outside of Sao Paulo in Suzano and has a Bed and Breakfast on the equestrian property. Of course, if you are actually considering purchasing a Lusitano from Sucandi while experiencing your horseback riding vacation, they will put you up in their guesthouse inside the farm. Additionally, Florian will arrange for a horseback riding exchange with their exclusive partner equestrian farms.

The Sucandi guesthouse contains five guest suites within the farm with wi-fi Internet access, a swimming pool and additional amenities. Guests can arrange for a private horseback riding lesson with Olympic riders Rogero Clementino or Leandro da Silva. Does life for a horse lover get better than this?

Sucandi – Horses of Brazil +55 11 4751-4071

Suzano, Brazil

e-mail: sucandi@sucandi.com

Rodeo Queens on a horseback riding vacation, Sisters, Oregon

As the gorgeous rodeo cowgirls circle the arena at full gallop, blonde hair and flags flying in the wind, the National Anthem blares over the PA systems. Cowboys, young and old, hold their cowboy hats in front of their chests and young mothers with babes in their arms sing along. It is a hot June day in the central Oregon cascade mountain range of small town Americana, otherwise known as Sisters, Oregon.

Trucks and horse trailers line the dusty grass parking lot for several days of a rodeo horseback riding vacation. Booths hawking ice cold beer, pepsi and t-shirts with “Cowboy Up!” line the entrance to the Sisters Rodeo grounds. We find our way to our seats in the bleechers, carefully stepping over cowboy boots and brushing past shiny silver belt buckles attached to buckskin belts, holding up every brand of denim jean imaginable.

This is cowboy country. Where the smell of sun block mingles with the scent of horse manure in the faint summer breeze.

A Wild West Horsback Riding Vacation

ProRodeo – A Kinder, Safer Rodeo?

If your memories of ProRodeo evoke wild-eyed bulls, bucking broncos and clowns running in to save cowboys from first-hand encounters with the tip of a brahma bull horn, you won’t be disappointed. However, times have changed for the better at rodeos. While I wouldn’t call this a horseback riding vacation, bronc and bull riders now wear flak jackets and helmets to protect them from serious injury. These top caliber athletes wouldn’t be able to win money if they didn’t value their animals and insure that their livestock was in peak condition. Personally, I feel better knowing that the rodeo contestants and judges abide by a code of humane treatment of animals.

Biggest Little Show

Billed as the Biggest Little Show in the World, the 70th Annual Sisters Rodeo takes place June 11, 12 and 13, 2010. Back in the day, I used to show horses at the Junior Grand National Horse Show held at the Cow Palace outside of San Francisco, California. And while I wasn’t a bareback bronc rider, this wasn’t my first rodeo experience. However, it  was my family’s first time to the rodeo.

We stayed at the pet-friendly Five Pine Lodge during our horseback riding vacation in Sisters, Oregon. Families with young children might consider a stay at the Best Western Ponderosa. You’ve got to stop and feed the llamas!

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Sisters Rodeo 1 (800) 827-7522 or (541) 549-0121

Chris Vassar saddles Mac for a horseback riding vacation

“If you like, you’ll have time to groom your horse before we go out on the trail,” offered my guide as I checked into the Guest Ranch. Having owned several horses in my youth, I considered this horseback riding vacation a chance to skip the brushing. In fact, I didn’t have to saddle or bridle my horse if I didn’t want to. It all comes down to what type of horseback riding vacation you are looking for.

You’ve decided that you would like to take a horseback riding vacation and you have set a budget for your trip. Next steps; how to choose the best horseback riding vacation.

Riding Levels

Most ranches categorize horseback riders into three categories; beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Beginner Rider can be a first time rider who has never set foot in a stirrup or someone who has ridden in their youth and hasn’t been on the back of a horse in 10, 20 or 30 years. If you haven’t been around horses, they can be intimidating and sometimes dangerous.

Keep in mind that while mighty in size, the horse’s brain is the size of a walnut. When scared, their first instinct is flight. If you are calm, your horse will be calm. Your guide will instruct you on the basics of mounting the horse from the left side, how to hold the reins and basic neck reining, leg and voice commands for the horse.

Intermediate Riders know how to keep proper spacing of horses when on the trail and don’t let their horses graze while “working” and wearing a bridle. Intermediate riders feel confident in the saddle during a trot, extended trot or lope.

Advanced Rider is considered someone that rides at least once a month and is comfortable mounting and dismounting out on the trail without a mounting block. More often than not, people tend to rate themselves an advanced rider because they have ridden more than a few times in their lifetime.  While it is not the guides intention to place an advanced rider on a bucking bronco, an advanced rider typically knows how to handle a spirited or ‘high energy’ horse. Sometimes a horse that is feeling good gives a little buck. Advanced riders also know how to grip with their legs and properly balance their weight in the saddle when climbing or descending steep terrain.

Riding Accommodations for your Horseback Riding Vacation

Riding Accommodations

If you like camping and sleeping under the stars, you’ll probably enjoy an overnight pack trip. However, if you prefer five star hotels with infinity swimming pools and spa treatments, you are better off staying at a guest ranch that offers horseback riding vacations, as well as fine dining and shopping. It’s like matching a horse to rider, one option is not better than the other, but the proper match makes for an enjoyable equestrian holiday.

Equestrian stables typically offer one and two hour rides, as well as half day and full day horseback riding options. Stables do not usually provide over night accommodations.

Dude or Guest Ranches usually offer all-inclusive rates that include lodging, meals and horseback riding activities. If this is a solo horseback riding vacation, I have written a specific post that addresses that topic.

Was this post helpful in how to select the best horseback riding vacation? What do you look for in choosing an equitrekking holiday?

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Horseback Riding Vacation at Five Brooks Ranch

It was a cold December morning in Marin County as I pulled on my long johns, jeans and winter riding boots for a day of horseback riding. Not ideal horseback riding conditions, to be sure, but a day of riding is better than no riding at all.

I was on assignment for Diablo magazine to write about “One Fine Day in Olema.” The article will appear in the spring when the ferns are radiant green and the sun rays pierce the redwoods in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Five Brooks Ranch sits on the site of a former saw mill. Back in the day, it was difficult to decipher if the ground was vibrating from the huge band saws that once operated here or if an earthquake was shaking the ground. That’s right, the San Andreas Fault runs underneath the Five Brooks Ranch. Quaking in our boots takes on a whole new dimension at the stables.

During my visit to the ranch I was joined by Adam who escorted me on the two hour Fir Top Trail. We saw three Osprey nests during our equitrekking adventure. For kids and first-time riders, Adam would recommend the one hour Stewart Trail ride. He recommends a private ride for experienced equestrians because he has to accommodate his ride to the least experienced rider.

My Bay Quarter horse, Hudina, was a nice ride, but she knew her role and was not about to ride alongside Adam’s horse.  Whenever I nudged her forward she resisted as if to say, “I’m not supposed to be the lead horse.” All of the horses are well behaved according to Adam. “There are no barn sour horses here,” he remarked. “It’s simply not allowed.”

Adam and Hudina getting ready for a horseback riding vacation at Five Brooks Ranch

Five Brooks Ranch is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas for your horseback riding vacation. While the ranch accepts checks, cash is preferred. My two hour ride was $60. Check the website for pricing.

If you are considering an overnight horseback riding vacation, the Point Reyes Sea Shore Lodge is nearby. Lunch and dinner is served at the Farmhouse restaurant. If you like oysters, try the Hog Island Oyster Company.

Five Brooks Stable (415) 663-1570

8001 State Route #1, Olema, CA 94950

Rebecca Goodwin on a solo horseback riding vacation in Arizona

 You love horses and want to go on a horseback riding vacation, but your partner doesn’t know a halter from a hoof pick and has no interest in a horseback riding holiday. Do you give up on your equitrekking dream of riding on gorgeous horses surrounded by breath taking scenery?

Say it with me out loud, “I want to go on a horseback riding vacation and I’ll have a good time by myself!”

What type of traveler are you?

I’m an independent traveler by nature, so personally, I have no trouble going on any type of holiday by myself. However, a solo horseback riding vacation doesn’t necessarily mean you will be horseback riding alone. In fact, when you find a dude ranch or guest ranch suitable to your needs, you’ll more than likely be riding out with another like-minded equestrian horse lover.

Girlfriend Getaway

Recently, on a girlfriend getaway to the Kay El Bar Guest Ranchmy friend and I were delighted to be joined by a solo traveler and horse lover from the United Kingdom. Rebecca Goodwin flew from London, England on a non-stop flight to Phoenix, Arizona for a horseback riding holiday.

Her requirements for a successful, solo horseback riding vacation:

• A Safe Environment
• Surround Herself with Friendly People
• Plenty of horseback riding opportunities with good quality horses
• Ease of getting to horseback riding destination
• A Third Party Validation from an organization such as the Dude Ranchers’ Association
• Didn’t want to sit around feeling lonely

Meeting Fellow Horse Lovers On Horseback Riding Holiday

If your goal is truly a solo horseback riding vacation, I’m sure the ranch can arrange a guided ride for you. However, if you are traveling solo and looking to join a group of equestrians on a horseback riding vacation, a dude ranch may be the ideal solution to your horseback riding holiday.

Girlfriends Trisha, Rebecca, Nancy on a Horseback Riding Vacation at the Kay El Bar Ranch

Thank you to the Kay El Bar Ranchin Wickenburg, Arizona for this horseback riding vacation. You can follow the Kay El Bar on Twitter or become a Facebook Fan.

Dee Steed riding Snickers on a horseback riding vacation

“Why is that horse hobbled?” I ask as I swing open the gate to the arena at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.

“He’s a busy boy,” replies Head Wrangler Dee Steed as he smiles in reference to the bay horse who is hopping up and down on his front hooves, still tied to the hitching post.

Indeed, Snickers is like the Energizer Bunny hyped up on caffeine. Snickers is a gorgeous seven-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse and, like most adolescent teenagers, he is raring to go.

The three ladies are mounted on our horses and ready to move out behind our wrangler wearing his custom cowboy hat. Steed settles into the saddle and loosens his reins, all the motion that is needed to send Snickers moving forward.

Bootlegger Trail

We are off to ride the Bootlegger Trail by way of Oasis Canyon. Typically, an all-day ride for well conditioned Quarter Horses, today we are riding Tennessee Walkers and they will be up the canyon and back before the lunch bell rings. What a wonderful way to spend a day on a horseback riding vacation. In fact, one of the riders accompanying us was on a horseback riding holiday all the way from England.

Busting Broncs to Herding City Slickers

A professional bronc rider on the rodeo circuit, I asked Steed if he preferred cows and wild horses to chaperoning guests on a horseback riding vacation. With a sheepish grin, Steed replied that he liked guiding folks from the Kay El Bar Ranch on trail rides. I’m sure the fact that he is fed home cooked meals three times a day doesn’t hurt either.

Cowboy Dee Steed takes guests on horseback riding vacations at the Kay El Bar Ranch

Photos and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown

Kay El Bar Guest Ranch (800) 684-7583 or (928) 684-7593

Wickenburg, AZ 85358

Wrangler Joe Ferguson leading an Arizona horseback riding vacation

Forget skiing and snowboarding in the winter. My vote is for a horseback riding vacation in Wickenburg, Arizona. We’d had snow on Mt. Diablo  where I live in Northern California and that’s rare. Like the snow birds that flock to the desert every winter, I grabbed a riding partner for a girlfriend getaway weekend and headed to Arizona. For those looking for easy access to outstanding horseback riding, the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch is located and hour and 15 minutes from the Phoenix airport.

Wild West at its Best

“If you liked yesterday’s ride, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” laughed Dee the head wranger at the Kay El Bar Ranch. He turned his head away from us with a grin and settled into the saddle, the subtle que for Snickers, the lead horse, to motor into action.

A Whole Lot of Motion Going On

Have you ever been trail riding in the Sonoran desert on a Tennessee Walking Horse? It is a kick in the pants. Let’s just say there’s a whole lot of motion going on with those walkers. This was my first horseback riding vacation at a dude ranch and I’ll say it up front; I’m hooked. This weekend was some of the best horseback riding that I’ve experienced. The terrain was incredible with giant Saguaro cactus (pronounced sa war o) prickly pear, barrel and Jumping Chollo cactus.

The Kay El Bar Ranch can accommodate all types of riders and riding levels. We were fortunate to have a woman  from England join us on some trail rides. If you are considering a solo horseback riding vacation, I’ll be addressing that topic in a future post.

Cowboy hospitality on your horseback riding vacation

Cowboy Hospitality Included

My riding companion wanted to know if the ranch served alcohol. This is a valid  question to ask after a hard day of riding alongside cowboys at the Kay El Bar Ranch. Yes, Trisha. The Kay El Bar does, indeed, have a liquor license. They also have a top notch chef in the kitchen. You will not be disappointed with the quality of the food on your horseback riding vacation at the ranch.

The Kay El Bar Ranch can be found on Twitter and you can become a fan on Facebook. The ranch is a member of the Dude Ranchers’ Assocation and the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to the Kay El Bar Ranch for hosting my visit.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Kay El Bar Guest Ranch (800) 684-7583 or (928) 684-7593

Wickenburg, AZ 85358

A Horseback Riding Vacation at Tanque Verde Ranch

The low ranch house built in 1868 stretches out beside an emerald lawn shaded by ancient trees. But first there are the horses. You cannot miss the rich aroma of the crowd milling around in the corral across from the parking lot.  Many of the 180 horses belonging to the ranch will be hanging out here waiting to go to work on trail rides for horseback riding vacations.

Once there were more than a dozen dude ranches circling Tucson, Arizona.  The winter sun drew visitors to the lush Sonoran desert, where a proliferation of mesquite and palo verde trees shade patches of ground near washes and prickly pear, spiky ocotillo and stately Giant Saguaro cactuses fill in the dry stretches.  Today only two of the old time ranches still offer horseback riding vacations. The oldest, Tanque Verde Ranch (pronounced TANK-uh VER-dee) presents the classic dude ranch experience, with some extras that Tucson pioneers never dreamed of.

A Horseback Riding Vacation at Tanque Verde Ranch

The dude ranch takes up a corner of an even older honest-to-goodness working ranch at the foot of the Rincons and surrounded by Saguaro National Park. They still run cattle here.

 Nearly 80 rooms in a variety of styles house horseback riding vacation guests. When you visit the ranch, peek into the library to the right of the front door.  Look up at the heavy beamed ceiling.  That’s where some bad guys hung the rancher (yes, by the neck) in an attempt to get him to tell where he had hidden his money.  He claimed he didn’t have any and they cut him down before he expired.

While adults are going on desert horseback riding vacations or participating in team roping, the kids get basic riding instruction in a penned obstacle course. Here the buckaroos are prepared to ride in the open desert, and their own arena where they can learn trickier maneuvers. Parents like the fact that all the kids’ activities—and the adults, too, are part of the all-inclusive rate.

Saguaro cactus on a Tucson, AZ horseback riding vacation

 With hundreds of miles of trails surrounding the property, separate corrals for adult activities, and all day trail rides into the surrounding Saguaro National Monument’s beautiful foothills country, adults can totally surrender to their inner cowboy. Or they can never set foot in a stirrup. Opting instead to walk a little, spy some wildlife, read a book by the outdoor pool, stay indoors at La Sonora spa or exercise  and swim at the indoor pool. Lasso or luxuriate, at Tanque Verde, its up to you.

Tanque Verde Ranch Resort (800) 234-DUDE(3883) or (520) 296-6275

14301 E. Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85748

Guest post and photos by Vera Marie Badertscher all rights reserved.

Horseback Riding Vacation at Il Paretaio in Tuscany

Ever dreamt of setting aside your life with its nightly stops at the grocery store for wine and cat food for an Italian horseback riding vacation during which you mount a beautiful white steed and ride through the Tuscan countryside with an equally gorgeous Italian riding instructor?

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Il Paretaio, a country house and classical horseback riding center, offers you the chance to achieve that fantasy vacation in much more fulfilling fashion than just diving into a bodice-riper with a glass of Chianti after work. (Of course, there’s no guarantee the dashing riding instructor will return your advances.)

For your horseback riding vacation, Il Paretaio offers

• 30 high-quality horses
• lessons for beginners through advanced riders
• riding out and classical dressage riding
• instructors who speak English, German, French, Dutch and Italian

A Horseback Riding Vacation in Tuscany Il Paretaio

You also can leave the horses behind and taste wine at some of Tuscany–and the world’s–best vineyards. Or you can leave your horseback riding vacation behind and drive to Florence or Siena: both are just 30 minutes away.

Regardless of whether you go horseback riding or elsewhere during the day, you’ll want to return to Il Paretaio for its delicious  four-course dinners (with Chianti) that are included with your stay. And mingling with guests from all over the world can prove just as enjoyable as mingling with the ponies.

Il Paretaio has eight double, triple and quadruple rooms, as well as two self-catering apartments.

For adults, seven days accommodations with buffet breakfasts and dinners and six days of horseback riding start at €710 during the low season and €790 during the high season (which in 2009 is Jan. 1-6, April 4-17, May 9-Sept. 26 and Dec. 19-31).

Il Paretaio

Giovanni e Cristina De Marchi

Strada delle Ginestre, 12

50021 Barberino Val d’Elsa (FI)

Italy

39-055-8059-218

info@ilparetaio.it

(Photos: Courtesy of Il Paretaio)

 Guest post by Zach Everson