This message is from: Alison Barr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Ripple Creek Lodge in the White Mountains of CO has fabulous horses. They > appoint ~you~ as the guide before you take off, so your group is free to go > wherever you want to go at your own pace.
Please don't think I want to imply anything about any place, but this is a much abused system. I boarded for a long time at a farm that did this sort of trail riding, and I also bought my Sun Star there. The manager was one of the best horsemen I have ever know, and I have never seen him so much as loose his temper around them, but this is not the case with the dude riders. I never actually worked barns, but I hung around allot, and the animals end up really abused. Boyfriends try to show off, they loose their temper, and are generally abusive ( Not just boyfriends, but they were the worst). I have horses come back head to toe lather because they have been galloped for 1 hour straight. I have seen people whip the horses while their reins are too short for the horse to move. This is the exception to the rule, but I wouldn't like to go to a place like this. The horses hate it. Sunny always bucked. I know that this is not necessarily the result with all guide less trail rides, but I feel a warning is in order for those looking for a fun time. Many of these horses would not leave the barn at all. In case you're wondering, This place has since closed down as the army base closed, and the horses all got amazing homes (even Sox, the worst of the bunch). And for proof that the horses understood who was responsible and felt happy outside of these incidents, the barn manager has rode Sunny a few times. Sunny was happy to see him and was a gentleman, even though he tossed most adult riders ( but never the 10 year old girl :o)). The manager also would do things like pay $600 for surgery on a 30ish year old horse ( who is now at least 36 and living with my old riding instructor).
