Bay Area horseback riding where you can actually Giddy-up?
October 19, 2010 12:24 PM Subscribe
My wife's birthday is coming up and I am looking for recommendations for a horseback riding stable in the S.F. Bay Area.
My wife, now in her early 40's, grew up riding horses in Germany and really misses that she does not have access to them here. Though by no means an expert rider, she is well beyond beginner stage. I am looking for a place that will rent her a horse for a few hours as a birthday present that will actually let her ride to her abilities and not simply lead her on some boring trail walk. East Bay would be preferred, but all Bay Area is open. Thanks in advance.
My wife, now in her early 40's, grew up riding horses in Germany and really misses that she does not have access to them here. Though by no means an expert rider, she is well beyond beginner stage. I am looking for a place that will rent her a horse for a few hours as a birthday present that will actually let her ride to her abilities and not simply lead her on some boring trail walk. East Bay would be preferred, but all Bay Area is open. Thanks in advance.
Although I have absolutely no experience with California horseback riding, I do have experience in a few other states and I have never heard of a place that will allow you to take a horse out beyond a walk-trot type trail ride, unless you're taking a lesson and the instructor sees that you are a capable somewhat experienced rider. And then, you're typically just riding around in an arena anyway.
I've done boring trail rides before - and even though I assured them that I am not only experienced but actually owned a horse, the rule is still nothing beyond a walk (sometimes trot). I think there are a lot of liability issues involved.
The only times I've had fun trail rides was when I owned my own horse and could take her out as I pleased. Even after I sold my horse, the trail rides using a lesson horse or someone else's horse at the barn I was affiliated with was limited to walk/trot.
But again, I don't know what it's like in California - perhaps places such as you want are the norm. If, however, you can't find a place that allows that - you could always sign her up for some riding lessons. Even though she is a capable rider, there's always more to learn and ways to fine tune yourself. For me, it's just enough to be around horses. So, maybe that would as awesome for your wife . . . not just a one time trail ride, but an ongoing thing.
posted by Sassyfras at 1:28 PM on October 19, 2010
I've done boring trail rides before - and even though I assured them that I am not only experienced but actually owned a horse, the rule is still nothing beyond a walk (sometimes trot). I think there are a lot of liability issues involved.
The only times I've had fun trail rides was when I owned my own horse and could take her out as I pleased. Even after I sold my horse, the trail rides using a lesson horse or someone else's horse at the barn I was affiliated with was limited to walk/trot.
But again, I don't know what it's like in California - perhaps places such as you want are the norm. If, however, you can't find a place that allows that - you could always sign her up for some riding lessons. Even though she is a capable rider, there's always more to learn and ways to fine tune yourself. For me, it's just enough to be around horses. So, maybe that would as awesome for your wife . . . not just a one time trail ride, but an ongoing thing.
posted by Sassyfras at 1:28 PM on October 19, 2010
Years ago I went on a really nice trail walk in the Armstrong Woods in Guernville. I know that's not what you wanted but the horses were very well cared for (as opposed to the jaded and bitter rental horses you usually get) and the owners led us on a beautiful ride that I would never have figured out on my own. Here's the link. The landscape is worth the trip, in my opinion.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:55 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by small_ruminant at 1:55 PM on October 19, 2010
I haven't actually been to this place but it's been on my riding holidays shortlist forever: Ricochet Ridge, near Fort Bragg. Looks like just the ticket! They seem to do day rides as well as multi-day trails. Although if you splash out on a long weekend where she rides every day, you may want to warn her to take some lessons to get back in shape first, otherwise she will be very sore! (OW, from personal experience).
posted by Erasmouse at 2:10 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by Erasmouse at 2:10 PM on October 19, 2010
Part of the problem here may be that CA does not have an Equine Activity Liability Act (EALA) -- a law that typically limits how much participants can sue horse owners or equestrian professionals and sponsors for injuries sustained in equine activities. (Forty-odd states, including mine, have an EALA. California is one of the holdouts.) Lack of an EALA can dampen a riding stable's enthusiasm for offering anything but guided walk-only trail rides on dead-sided and completely calm dude string ponies.
posted by which_chick at 5:03 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by which_chick at 5:03 PM on October 19, 2010
Miwok has trail rides, and I know experienced riders who ride there regularly. Call them and ask them if they'd be able to accomodate her.
posted by judith at 3:00 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by judith at 3:00 PM on October 23, 2010
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posted by Kafkaesque at 12:48 PM on October 19, 2010