~ Horseback Riding ~

There are guided rides going somewhere in the surrounding mountains every day during the summer. Sometimes these trips are as short as several hours, but more often our guests are interested in all-day rides. For beginners we have a number of extremely placid, easy-going animals and can teach you in a day or two to get around more or less comfortably with everyone else.

Please note that, in the interest of sharing and resting our more popular horses, you will probably not be assigned the same horse every day of your stay. Special care is taken when matching horses with riders that weigh more than 250 pounds; please let us know in advance if you’re in that category. Also, the use of spurs is not allowed. All riders are required to sign a combined Acknowledgement of Risk & Liability Waiver.

UNGUIDED RIDING

We remain one of the few ranches that allow certain guests to ride without a guide. If you are a new guest desiring to ride on your own, you must start off by going out on guided rides during the first four days of your stay. This requirement gives us adequate time to assess your general horse knowledge and riding skills before we decide whether to allow you self-guided riding privileges. Riding without a guide is a privilege that must be earned — and retained on a continuing basis. Not everybody can, or should, qualify. You need to work with us patiently, carefully, and respectfully if this is your goal.

Destinations for all self-guided rides are limited to an 8-mile radius from the ranch. This allows you to take day trips as far as Brewster Lake, Doubletop Peak, Darwin Peak, or the Cowboy Cabin. Riding up the Gros Ventre past where the trail crosses the river would be pushing the limit.

Everyone who is granted self-guided riding privileges, including all former guests who have been allowed to ride without a guide during previous stays at the ranch, will be required to sign an additional Liability Waiver.