Whether you’re planning a solo horseback riding vacation, looking for a horseback riding trip with girlfriends, or eyeing a luxe small-scale boutique ranch getaway that lets you get your boots dirty, here are my top tips for finding the best horseback riding vacation for experienced riders!
I’ve been on a few ranch vacations and riding holidays in my time, and know how frustrating it can be as an experienced rider to find yourself on a nose-to-tail trail walk if you had visions of galloping freely across the plains.
If you’re an experienced rider and have been on horsey holidays before, you’ll know that not all vacations for advanced riders are created equal. It’s the same with ranch vacations – you’ve REALLY got to do your research to find out if that dude ranch you’ve got your eye on is going to deliver in the riding freedom department (amongst other things).
As a horse-loving traveler who’s ridden at guest ranches with grit, grace (and a little saddle soreness!), I’ll make finding the best horseback riding vacation for experienced equestrians a cinch. Read on!
What makes an ‘experienced’ horse rider?
Ok let’s get real for a minute – defining your horseback riding level can be tricky!
Seriously horse-focused guest ranches like The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch in Wyoming have seen and heard it all: obvious beginners calling themselves advanced riders and seasoned riders downplaying their skills because they know how different horses and ranch riding can be.
Here’s the deal: defining someone’s riding level isn’t a test or a competition, it’s about safety, respect for the horses and making sure you have the best ranch vacation experience possible.
Leave your ego at the barn door, people!
Think back to your riding experience to date: If you’re a confident trail rider who logs serious saddle time back home, tackling jumps and competing, let the experts at your dude ranch know.
If you’ve mostly ridden in arenas, but want to try cattle work or backcountry terrain, a good horse riding ranch will want to chat about your comfort level.
Older riders will need to consider that, although you were a great equestrian in your formative years, time takes its toll, and you’ll need to manage your expectations and possible new limitations.
The more honest and open you are about your riding background and current status, the better your ranch vacation will be.
Pro tip: Riding experience can mean different things in different cultures and riding disciplines. So whether you’re used to riding English, Western or somewhere in between, guest ranches for all levels of rider, like The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch, will be more than happy to help! The team of experts will know what questions to ask you to help figure it out with no judgment.
Top tips for choosing the perfect ranch vacation for experienced riders
1.Establish the ranch’s definition of ‘experienced’ or ‘advanced’ rider
As discussed above, if you ride several times a week, can move confidently through the gaits, own or lease a horse, or can handle a spook without losing your stirrups, you’re probably a reasonably experienced rider, but it can depend on the ranch’s opinion, too.
Pro tip: Before you book your ranch vacation for experienced riders, ask the guest ranch to describe what they mean by ‘experienced riders’ or ‘advanced riders’ and give them the lowdown on your riding background.
A good,horse-centric guest ranch like The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch will match you to a horse and riding style that meets your skills and goals, while keeping the horse happy, too.
And because this Wyoming ranch truly cares, on day one, they carry out a thorough Riding & Safety Orientation for new guests, regardless of experience. This is key to the safety and wellbeing of horse and rider, and many experienced and even professional riders have rated the orientation as one of the most thorough in the industry!
2.Look for ranches that offer more than nose-to-tail rides
When booking your ranch vacation, communicate your riding goals early!
(And bear in mind, if you want to ride gung-ho at breakneck speed and only want to go fast, the best horse ranch vacations, like The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch, will let you know pretty quickly that you are coming to the wrong place.)
Of course if you wanted to sit still and follow the leader for a week, there are riding ranch vacations that offer this, but that won’t be fulfilling any of your ‘1883’ Oregon Trail pioneering dreams if you’re more advanced!
If you’re looking for a guest ranch for experienced horseback riders, you’ll probably want a ranch that offers:
- Challenging trail rides with varied terrain and the option for quieter rides, too
- Opportunities to trot, canter (lope) and, at a few guest ranches, gallop
- Cattle work/team penning and sorting, or even branding (hello, ‘Yellowstone’!)
- Horsemanship clinics or lessons to refine your skills
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch are masters of their art in personalizing each guest’s horseback riding experience, and offer all of the above (apart from galloping and branding) – and more – for those seeking a thrilling and varied ranch vacation for advanced riders.
So speak up when booking and when you arrive – it’s about communicating your needs to the guest ranch and finding a happy balance.
3.Check the standard of the guest ranch horses
Let’s talk horses – because let’s be real, that’s why we’re here!
If you ride solid, fit, happy and healthy horses at home, and you have good physical fitness, plenty of horseback riding experience and confidence, you don’t want to spend your horse riding vacation on a bored, unresponsive trail pony.
A good ranch for advanced riders will:
- Have a diverse herd of healthy, happy, well-trained horses (Quarter Horses, Mustangs and maybe even the occasional Warmblood)
- Match horse and rider thoughtfully, not randomly
- Offer some variety, so you’re not riding the same horse every day
- Focus on a more holistic ranch vacation experience, including natural horsemanship and cattle work. Bonus points if the ranch lets you help with grooming, tacking up or groundwork!
The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch offers all of the above and is extremely proud of their herd of around 100 horses that cater for 25 riders weekly, with more than enough to happily and comfortably accommodate different rider abilities.
For advanced and experienced guests to this Wyoming guest ranch for horseback riders, all final checks are carried out in the orientation before mounting riders on one of their finely trained high-level horses.
Pro tip: Ask about the ranch’s tack and equipment, too – as an experienced rider, you’re not going to want to ride on questionable saddles or worry about uncared-for leatherwork!
4.Read the ranch reviews
This goes without saying for any adventure travel experience, but here’s the trick: look first for reviews that mention specifically the horse riding (skip past the ones where people only rave about the pancakes and bed linen, you can get back to those later!).
Search for phrases like:
- “As an experienced rider…”
- “Not your typical trail ride”
- “Challenging and rewarding riding”
- “Horses were responsive and well-trained”
- “Experienced/advanced riders will love…”
- “Experienced and knowledgeable wranglers”
5.Ask about trail ride group size and ride customization
One of the most important things to consider (often overlooked) when looking for a guest ranch for advanced horseback riders, is group size.
As an experienced rider, you probably don’t want to be lumped in with a large mixed group that’s not experienced enough to lope. Chaos!
The best horse ranch vacations for experienced riders will:
- Cap rides at small numbers (two to five riders per wrangler)
- Split rides by ability level
- Allow for customizable rides based on goals (scenic, fast-paced, cattle-focused, etc.)
Ranches that cater for experienced and advanced riders, like Wyoming’s The Hideout, will split up guests based on riding experience and ability to control their horse in all paces.
Traveling in a friend group with riders of different levels and want to stick together? Don’t worry! This small-scale luxury dude ranch will adapt the pace to the lowest riding level, but experienced guests will ride a higher level of horse than the beginners.
The best equestrian vacations, like those taken at The Hideout, will tailor your ride accordingly. Whether you’re keen to move cows, enjoy mountain gallops or pose for scenic photo ops, they should certainly be able to make adventures happen for friend groups of all levels.
6.Try new horse activities on a ranch vacation
Every seasoned horse rider knows that there’s always something new to learn, so when choosing your ranch for experienced riders, remember many guest and working ranches like The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch in Wyoming offer exciting equestrian opportunities you might not have at your home barn.
Why not turn your hoof to:
- Cattle work – Under the watchful eyes of the skilled Hideout wranglers, learn how to gather, sort and move cows across this working cattle ranch (it’s more thrilling than you think!)
- Arena lessons – Learn to ride in ‘soft feel’, try groundwork and some guest ranches even offer dressage for western riders
- Horsemanship clinics – The Hideout has their own unique brand of Natural Horsemanship: ‘Authentic Horsemanship’, with skilled wranglers, visiting trainers and Parelli-trained ranch owner, Marijn De Cabooter, on hand to help you ‘Play at Liberty’
- All-day rides with backcountry adventures – At The Hideout, you can head out on an all-day ride for the ultimate wilderness immersion. (Top tip: Remember to bring your seat saver as eight hours in the saddle can take its toll if you’re not used to it, no matter how experienced a horse rider you are!)
Pro tip: Don’t be shy about stepping outside your comfort zone, ranch vacations are the perfect chance for experienced horse riders to try something new and unique.
Despite only ever having ridden English style, with zero herding or cow sense, after the first time I worked with cattle on a real working ranch, I was grinning like a fool and already preferred the Western way of riding!
And trust me, I’ve seen even the most advanced and professional riders learn a thing or two on a horse ranch vacation…
Ranch vacations for experienced riders await!
When you’re searching for a horseback riding vacation for experienced riders, not all ranches are created equal. The Hideout sets itself apart with:
- Extensive knowledge and incredible professionalism, with decades of experience behind establishing ability, and pairing horse and rider
- A strong ‘no nose-to-tail’ trail rides ethos – safe riding freedom is embraced and encouraged
- A herd of well-trained and well-cared-for Mustangs and Quarter Horses
- Excellent guest reviews reflecting happy riders’ delight at having a truly customized horseback riding ranch vacation – with riding freedom
- Small, thoughtfully curated group sizes (typically one to three guests per wrangler), with customizable rides based on your riding level and interests
- A wide variety of terrain for long and short trail rides, but also a strong Parelli-based Natural Horsemanship culture (Authentic Horsemanship), as well as the chance to immerse in real authentic ranch experiences, like cattle work and stockmanship opportunities
As an experienced horse rider, if you want to ride beyond the basics, challenge yourself and really bond with your mounts, The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is your place! Here are 12 reasons this Wyoming ranch is your ultimate horse holiday haven – regardless of your riding level.
Choosing the right ranch vacation for experienced riders is all about knowing what you want, then finding a place that speaks your horse-loving language.
So trust your gut, do your research and don’t settle for a ride that doesn’t light you up. Because when you find the right ranch, the right horse and the right crew, (like you will at The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch!), it’s more than just a vacation, it’s a memory that stays with you long after the dust settles.
Hats on, reins in hand, heart full, let’s ride! *Gallops off into the sunset…
Ready to head to the best guest ranch for experienced horse riders? Join like-minded others and book your stay at The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch – book soon to reserve your cabin for this summer!
Not sure if a ranch vacation is for you? Take a sneak peek into a day in the life of a guest at The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch – you may be pleasantly surprised to find that a day in the life of a guest at The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch!
For more news and updates straight from the ranch’s mouth, check out ranch owner Peter’s Hideout blog, too.
Written by Kate Hammaren Writing & Editing
