the Price of Horseback Riding

I took my son out to one of the ranches in the area for a two-hour ride through the nearby forest. We went in a small group of eight guests plus two guides, one in front of the group and one behind the group. The cost was $80 per person and then I gave the main guide a $20 tip to share with the other guide, so the total was $180 for both of us.

One of the things that I thought was really great was that we got a full two hours of riding for the price that we paid, and the activities before we started, such as meeting the horses, getting instructions, mounting up, etc., were all done during time that did not count toward the riding session. We enjoyed the personalities of the guides and their patience with our group, which included some first time visitors and some more experienced riders. The path in the forest was interesting and included some hills and turns, along with wonderful views. We stopped about halfway through the session to walk around a bit and give the horses a rest and some water. It turned out to be a very nice experience for us and it was certainly worth the price that we paid for the service.

Prices vary dramatically from one ranch/stable to another, so it is definitely worth the effort to make some calls to compare costs. Also, ask about the size of the group in advance because some businesses will try to save money by sending a large group of 20 people with only two guides, which makes it less personal and fun.