Frequently Asked Questions:
Over the past 10 years these are the most frequently asked questions I have answered every day. Please take moment to look them over before reserving your ride, as I hope you will find them helpful and informative.
Q: Is there a weight limit?
A: Yes, the weight limit for the 1.25 hour ride is 260 pounds and 220 pounds for the 2 hour ride.
Q: Is there and age minimum?
A: We take riders 3 years and older. Riders age 3-4 can ride in a "buddy saddle" that connects to the back of the guide's saddle. This saddle has it own handles and stirrups, the child will also be wearing a helmet. This type of riding is allowed only with a guide, not the parent. Riders 5 and 6 years old will ride on their own horse and be lead by the guide. The cost for a child to ride is the same as an adult.
Q: What ride should I pick - the 1.25 or the 2 hour ride?
A: The 1.25 hour ride is open to riders 2 and over of all abilities. The terrain covers the crossing of streams and a 300 degree mountain view. It is truly a beautiful ride. We walk and trot on this ride, and occasionally get ionto a canter depending on the ability of the riders in the group. The 2 hour ride is open to riders age 8 and over. It covers the same beautiful terrain as the 1.25 hour ride but includes additional trails on a ridge top that are ideal for cantering the horses. It is best to have ridden before to try this ride, or at least have a great sense of balance and adventure!
Q; What time should we arrive?
A: You should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your ride time. The only exception to this is during the summer months when the 2 hour ride is scheduled at 10:00 AM, then YOU MUST CHECK IN BY 9:15. If you follow these guidelines you will leave enough time for trips back and forth to the car, clothing changes, bathroom breaks, paperwork, horse assignments, tack adjustments, and safety instruction. This is quite a bit to do in the time before your ride departure, so please be prompt. If you do not this time frame, the other people in your group who planned properly will have to wait for you, as well as pushing back the next ride time because we are late getting your group on the trail. Please be courteous and give us enough time to properly prepare you for your adventure with us. If you have not checked in by the ride departure time, you will forfeit your ride, and be charged the full price.
A: No, double riding is onto allowed, the only exception would be in a buddy saddle with the guide as explained previously.
Q: I have never ridden before, can I still ride?
A: YES!! We have first time riders everyday. Please select the 1.25 hour ride, for you first time out. We will instruct you on how to sit properly and control your horse. The guide will be with you the entire ride to ensure your safety and offer any riding advice necessary.
A: Long pants are best all year. Please wear shoe that have a back to them (no flip-flops or sandals). Boots are great, but tennis shoes will work as well. Please be prepared for the weather during your visit. We will ride if it is cold, and you will be expected to keep your appointment. The early morning rides in the winter can be chilly, but often times are the best rides, as the horses love the cool weather! Plan ahead, check the weather forecast and dress appropriately so you can enjoy our beautiful mountains and onto worry about your cold toes!
Q: What can we bring along on our ride.
A: Ideally just yourself, but cameras that can be secured are fine. Please leave your water bottles, sunglasses (the trail is shaded 95% of the ride), and cell phones in the car. Please do onto wear back packs as the are extra weight for the horses and can compromise your balance. Items that are brought along usually end up on the trail, break and can injure the horses feet, onto to mention litter our beautiful wooded land.
A: We will ride if it is sprinkling intermittently and the trails are safe, and you will be expected to keep your appointment. We will ride ride if it is cold or hot, so plan accordingly. Our climate may be different form what you are used to, but that is why you chose to vacation here! Please dress for the weather so you can enjoy you time with us to the fullest extent. We will onto ride if there is lightening, and we will bring the ride back early if severe weather strikes. If more than 1/2 of the ride time has expired, you will be charged the full amount. Discounts will be offered in the event that less than 1/2 the ride time was covered.
Q: Do you supply helmets?
A: Yes, and riders under 18 are required to wear them, no exceptions. No bike helmets, please.
Q: What time are the 1.25 and 2 hour rides offered.
A: Generally speaking, the 1.25 hour ride leaves at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and the 2 hour ride leaves at 12:00 PM daily from October 1 - May 31. From June 1 -September 30 the 1.25 hour ride leaves at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, with the 2 hour ride leaving at 10:00 AM. The 2 hour ride time changes due to the fact that we canter the horses on this ride and during the heat of the summer, we must avoid running the horses during the heat of the day. The 2 hour ride time check in is no later than 9:15 in the summer. Late check in cuts into riding time or forfeit of the ride with full charge.
Q: Can some of us go on the wagon while others ride horses?
A: The hay ride takes place at Mountain View Orchards 2 miles from the farm, so this is not possible. I can offer a hay ride to immediately follow a ride, which I do often.
Q: How do I reserve a ride?
A: I will need a name, phone number in the mountains, number and ages of the riders, and credit card number to reserve your ride.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: We have a very strict 24 hour cancellation policy. As long as you call to change you number of people, or cancel prior to 24 hours there is no penalty. If you fail to arrive at your ride or with the correct number of riders, you will be changed the full amount. You can pay this amount with the card you reserved with or with cash.
Q: Why is your cancellation policy so strict?
A: We often have a waiting list of people that would like to ride and onto enough horse to accommodate them. If we have set those horses aside for you, you will be expected to pay the rental fee. Also, our guide are paid per rider, so if you do onto keep your appointment it affects their earnings. When you make an appointment, it takes that guide about 2 hours to prepare the horses for your arrival, so you must be considerate of their time and effort. We do onto leave our horses tacked and standing all day, when they are in use they are left alone in the pasture to enjoy being a horse in their herd. I believe that this is the secret to the longevity of my horses and their overall happiness.
Q: Can I ride if I am pregnant?
A: We to not allow expecting mothers to ride. There is always a chance that you can fall off while riding a horse, and we to do not want to be responsible for such a tragedy. Not to mention that your joints, ligaments, and sense of balance are changing constantly during this time. I can offer the hay rides as an alternative.
Q: Is 2 hours the longest trip you offer?
A: Because of the terrain we cover, and the fact that we canter the horses on the 2 hour trip, that is the longest I feel comfortable asking my horses to work at one stretch. In the 10 years of owning this stable, I have only had a handful of riders want more after my 2 hour ride, and sometimes they would ask to go on the next departing ride. Most often what I see and hear and light hearted comments about aching legs, followed by satisfied grins and the realization that the hot tub at the cabin is going to be more useful than ever imagined!
Q: What is the custom gratuity to a guide?
A: The customary gratuity to a guide is 10%- 20% of the total cost of the ride. Many guests, will tip above and beyond this amount for a particularly spectacular ride, or rides that require much extra work on the guides part, such as many very small children, or adults requiring an unusual amount of attention or reassurance. Please keep in mind that the guides work on a pay scale very similar to a waiter or waitress, and their gratuities make up a large portion of their take-home pay.
Q: Is there a discount for paying cash?
A: Yes, we offer a rate of $30 cash for the 1.25 hour ride, which is normally $32 if paying with a credit card. The discounted cash rate for the 2 hour ride is $40, with the credit card price being $44.