Re: Out West vacation plans

[Meredith Sessoms]

This message is from: "Meredith Sessoms" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

>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 agree, there is more room for abuse.  But the horses here are used to go
to definate places ... like to go fishing at Mirror Lake or to go on guided
trips to the Table Tops for elk.  The going is rough and they are often
loaded with fishing gear, cameras and lunches.  It's not an atmosphere for
abuse.
The folks are mostly families or old fishing buddies.  It's not like a
rental stable.

>>><<<   Meredith Sessoms
>>><<<   Soddy-Daisy. Tennessee. USA
>>><<<   Dorina & NFR Aagot

Re: Out West vacation plans

[Alison Barr]

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).

Re: Out West vacation plans

[Meredith Sessoms]

This message is from: "Meredith Sessoms" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

I wrote ...

>Any nice guest ranch or b&b with reasonable prices and regular horses?

I have only stayed at two guest ranches:

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.  You can even claim a horse for
your exclusive use for the duration of your stay.  However, you pay dearly
for filthy hunting cabins.  Good food though and they take dogs.  I can
highly reccommend this place for a horseback ride and a meal after you
turn your horse in ... sleep somewhere else.

Absaroka Mountain Lodge in the Wapiti Valley between Cody WY and the east
entrance to Yellowstone has very nice, clean cabins but the horse experience
is lacking ... mixed, guided groups on bored horses.  Nice restaurant,
reasonable prices and they accept dogs too.

Any guest ranches out there with nice cabins and good horses?

Vivian wrote ...

>If you ever head northeast please feel free to stop by for a visit. We have
plenty of room.

I wanted to go to New England and up into Canada to visit Fjordhestgards
along the way to Boston and Quebec, but I got voted down before I even got
the chance to voice my opinion!  So ... out West it is!

And I will check out the ADS travel booklet.

>>><<<   Meredith Sessoms
>>><<<   Soddy-Daisy. Tennessee. USA
>>><<<   Dorina & NFR Aagot

Re: Out West vacation plans

[Reinbowend]

This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Meredith,

The American Driving Society publishes a booklet of horse farms in the US 
that welcome travelers. Most are obviously driving enthusiasts maybe some 
with Fjords. You can contact the ADS at their website 

Good Luck sounds like a wonderful trip.  If you ever head northeast please 
feel free to stop by for a visit. We have plenty of room.Vivian Creigh