Horses and the "BOB"
Riding experience on our trips varies from the hard-core riders, who are use to 10 go 20 mile excursions, to the novice rider, who may have only seen a horse and never rode one. All of our horses are well trained and extremely gentle, so no riding experience is necessary. We take guests varying in age from 5 year old children to gentlemen and ladies who may be as old as the mountains themselves.
The relationship with your horse begins on the morning your trip departs for the wilderness. Before introducing you to your specific horse we give you a detailed instruction course on proper handling, trail etiquette, and safety rules. More lessons are learned on the trail but we cover the basics before we begin our adventure. We then introduce each guest to their assigned horse we try to match guests and horses according to experience, size, ability and attitude. In other words the bigger the person the bigger the horse. The more experience rifer may want a more spirited horse and the novice rider would be better suited with a calmer, gentler animal. The attitude of the horse and rider must be compatible. This makes things easier and more pleasurable for all.
Each animal has its own personality: so after you are given your horse more instruction on his or her habits is necessary. Some like to try to snatch a bite of grass while going down the trial or some may need more encouragement then other to keep them up with the group. Though I suppose each animal has it's flaws, they are as perfect as we can ask of them.
Once introductions and instructions are over we mount up and head down the trail. Even the intimidated rider who was nervous about the trip becomes perfectly at ease after a mile or two on the trail. The miles pass quickly as we ride along the thick timber, crossing small mountain streams or rivers, then through parks where we can look out and see the splendor of the Rocky Mountains.
Our horses are trail wise and alert so there are few stumbles or blunders. They work hard to keep you comfortable though sometimes your backside may get a little sore. We also try to offer opportunities to walk and lead your horse on level or downhill slopes. Walking helps to keep your muscles loose, decreasing the stiffness that may occur from too much time in the saddle.
Some of the trusty mules and horses you may meet on your trip are Lila, Starz, Wyatt, Hildalgo, Shaggy, Musty, Alvin, Gambler, Ringo, Sully, Tombstone, Harley, McDuff, Curly, Cloudy, Flower, Daisy, Hunter, Handsome Jack, Tracker, Roach, Strawberry, Blueberry, Woodrow, Rags, Reno, Slobber, and Bradley. There are too many to name them all!! We own the horses and mules we use and have a great deal of respect for the work they do to make your trip the adventure of a lifetime!
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