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Your Guide to
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Still, a vacation on horseback is one of the nicest gifts you can give.
Our horseback vacation recommendations are, with some exceptions, places we've been to, or are familiar with. But if you have a favorite vacation spot or a story to share, you can do so by clicking here. You can also see what others have to recommend.
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| such as a horseback vacation at the ocean | - or riding through the sand dunes | - or a going on a trail ride out west. |
or choose among many other locations and activities. We'll offer a few ideas and see if you can't find something that strikes a chord.
The thought of riding into the sunset is appealing and there are certainly many places where you'll find beautiful sunsets.
Of course if where you view the sunset is far from base camp you may have to ride back in the dark. I wonder if anyone ever thinks of that? Still, a beautiful sunset can be a part of your experience.
Let's start in the area we know best - Montana Horse Back Riding Vacation Ideas.
and then investigate additional places and activities, -
- such as a trip to the Texas Hill Country for a great Texas Horseback Vacation.
- Or, head to Washington State where you can combine a ranch vacation with spectacular scenery and you're only a short drive to mountain peaks or saltwater beaches.
- How about the Northeast? A visit to a dude ranch usually suggests a trip to somewhere between the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean. It doesn't have to be that way. Head for Western New York and the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains where you'll discover the R&R Dude Ranch. The ranch is nestled in its own valley with over three hundred acres of riding trails,and is the perfect place to share a real 'country experience' on a working horse ranch. Plenty of activities for the whole family.
- Try a Horseback Trail Ride or a pack trip into the wilderness for a day, a week, or even longer.
- Visit a dude ranch or a working cattle ranch
- participate in a Cattle Drive
- or a Horse
Drive.
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Put them to the test with a
gift certificate for a 3-day course in saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding or learning to be a rodeo clown/bullfighter.
Click on the image on the left for more information on this unique gift idea, available in many US cities.
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Participation in activities such as these is often limited and you may have to make reservations a year in advance in some instances. |
As far as a destination is concerned the choices are limited only by your desires ( and maybe your budget). As someone said - "There's a whole wide world out there". You can ride along a seashore in Mexico, explore an off-the-beaten-path corner of the UK on horseback, take part in a horse drive in Iceland - or anything in between.
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Sightseeing possibilities when not on horseback might also influence your final destination decision.
What to Bring
If you're taking part in planned activities, say at a guest ranch, your hosts will generally make recommendations (and requirements) as to what you need to bring. Check out our
designed to help get you off to a good start ( the emphasis here is on western riding so if looking the part of a cowboy or cowgirl isn't part of your plan make the necessary adjustments).
In the pages discussing saddles, hats and boots, much emphasis is placed on proper "fit". Fit can be of a little importance here as well - you'll want to choose vacation activities that are a good fit with the experience of the rider(s) but, even for the beginning rider there are plenty of options. The page on Horseback Riding Skills Needed should help in this regard.
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Another good resource for adventure travel including horseback vacations, dude ranches, and more is Gordon's Guide.
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