Journeys for Every Rider

Proper attire is crucial for both your comfort and safety on the trail. We strongly recommend wearing comfortable, durable long pants, such as jeans, riding breeches, or sturdy canvas trousers. This is essential to protect your legs from chafing against the leather of the saddle and from brushing against foliage on the trail. Please avoid shorts, skirts, or thin leggings, as they offer inadequate protection and can lead to significant discomfort.

For footwear, closed-toe shoes are mandatory. The ideal choice is a sturdy boot with a low, solid heel (about 1 to 1.5 inches). This heel is a critical safety feature that helps prevent your foot from accidentally slipping all the way through the stirrup. Sturdy sneakers can be acceptable, but hiking boots or cowboy boots are even better. Absolutely no open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, high heels, or soft-soled shoes like Crocs are permitted.

We also advise dressing in layers. The weather in our region can change quickly, and a sunny start can turn into a cool, breezy afternoon. A t-shirt with a removable fleece or light jacket is a perfect combination. Finally, while we provide mandatory, certified equestrian helmets that are sanitized after every use, you may also want to bring sunglasses and apply sunscreen before your ride.

Yes, for the safety of our riders and the long-term welfare of our beloved horses, we adhere to industry-standard restrictions. The minimum age for our trail rides is 8 years old. This is based not only on physical size but also on a child's ability to understand and follow instructions from a guide for the duration of the ride, maintain focus, and possess the necessary coordination. For our younger aspiring equestrians under 8, we offer delightful and safe hand-led pony rides in our controlled arena environment, which is the perfect introduction to the world of horses.

Our weight limit for riders is 240 lbs (approximately 109 kg). This is not an arbitrary number; it is a standard set to ensure the health and comfort of our horses. A horse can safely carry about 20-25% of its own body weight, and this limit allows them to navigate varied and sometimes challenging terrain without undue strain on their backs and joints. This policy is fundamental to our "horse-first" philosophy and ensures our equine partners can live long, happy, and healthy lives. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us care for our herd. If you are near the weight limit or have any concerns, please contact us privately to discuss.

Absolutely not! We welcome and cater to riders of all skill levels, and a large portion of our guests are complete beginners who have never sat on a horse before. Our entire operation is designed to provide a safe, supportive, and non-intimidating environment for new riders. Rides like "The Meadow Meander" are specifically crafted with first-timers in mind, featuring gentle trails and our calmest horses.

Your experience begins before you even get on the trail. Every tour starts with a thorough safety briefing and a hands-on riding lesson in our arena. Our expert guides will teach you the fundamentals: how to hold the reins, how to use your legs to ask the horse to walk forward, how to steer left and right, and, most importantly, how to stop. We will ensure you are comfortable with these basics and are properly matched with a suitable horse (like our patient Luna or dependable Jasper) before we head out. Our guides ride with you, offering continuous support, encouragement, and tips throughout the journey. Our primary goal is for your first ride to be a wonderfully positive memory that makes you want to come back for more.

We understand that travel plans can sometimes change unexpectedly. To be as fair as possible to all our guests and our staff, we have the following cancellation policy:

• More than 48 hours notice: If you cancel your booking more than 48 hours before your scheduled ride time, you will receive a full refund, no questions asked. This allows us ample time to offer your reserved spots to other riders.
• 24 to 48 hours notice: For cancellations made within this window, we offer a 50% refund. Alternatively, you may opt to receive a ride credit for the full amount, which can be used for a future booking with no expiration date.
• Less than 24 hours notice & No-Shows: Cancellations made within 24 hours of the ride time and no-shows are non-refundable. At this point, your horses and guides have been specifically scheduled and prepared for your adventure, and we have likely turned away other bookings for those slots.
• Weather Policy: We ride rain or shine, and a ride in a light drizzle can be a beautiful experience! However, we will not operate in unsafe conditions. If we must cancel a ride due to severe weather such as thunderstorms, high winds, or extreme temperatures, you will be offered the choice of a full refund or rescheduling for another time. Your safety is always our final deciding factor.

While we appreciate the bond you have with your own equine partner, for the safety and well-being of our guests, staff, and our resident herd, we do not allow guest-owned horses on our guided tours. This policy is in place for several critical reasons.

First is biosecurity and herd health. Our stables maintain a "closed herd" to minimize the risk of introducing contagious diseases. Our horses are on a carefully managed health, vaccination, and deworming program, and introducing an outside horse could jeopardize the entire herd.

Second is herd dynamics. Horses are social animals with a complex hierarchy. Introducing an unfamiliar horse into a group can cause stress and unpredictable behavior like kicking or biting, creating a significant safety hazard on the trail. Our horses have known each other for years and have established a calm, predictable dynamic.

Finally, our horses are specially conditioned and acclimatized to our specific trails. They know the terrain intimately, which makes them confident and sure-footed. A horse unfamiliar with the area may be more prone to spooking or stumbling. We are confident you will fall in love with the well-trained and trail-savvy partner we select for you.

We believe in transparent, all-inclusive pricing to ensure your experience is as seamless and enjoyable as possible. The price of your ride is a complete package that covers everything you need for a fantastic adventure on the trail. This includes a carefully matched, well-cared-for horse that suits your experience level, all of the necessary professional-grade tack (saddle, bridle, etc.) that is fitted for both your and the horse's comfort, and a certified, sanitized equestrian safety helmet, which is mandatory for all riders.

Crucially, it also includes the dedicated service of one of our knowledgeable, friendly, and professional guides who will lead you, ensure your safety, and enrich your journey with insights about the area and our horses. For our longer tours, such as the Half-Day "High Pass Gallop" and the Full-Day "Explorer's Expedition," we also include bottled water and a delicious, freshly prepared packed lunch to be enjoyed at a scenic viewpoint along the trail.

The only thing not included in the price is gratuity for your guide. While tips are never expected, they are a traditional and very welcome way to show your appreciation for a guide who has provided an exceptional, safe, and memorable experience. All gratuities are shared amongst our hard-working team.