Horseback Riding at Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch

Our horseback riding program is second to none because we offer a gentle, slow walking ride or a exciting fast trotting/loping ride. You get to choose what type of ride you want to go on, not the other way around. Not only are our wranglers friendly and personable, but our horses are as well! We have a corral full of horses, each with its own distinct personality so that we can match that perfect one to you based on your riding ability. As soon as you leave the corral, you will be see nothing but beautiful desert scenery surrounded by 3 mountain ranges - NO cities, subdivisions, or houses in sight. There are tens of thousands of acres of land (owned by B.L.M.) which are available for horseback riding which provides endless trails and riding opportunities. Horseback rides are offered twice daily except for Sundays when the horses and the wranglers have the day off.

For the horseback riding guest, we offer a variety of different riding opportunities:

• At Stagecoach Trails we offer a riding program that is tailored to each and every rider. First of all, we make sure you are matched up with the appropriate horse - we want you to be comfortable with your horse and your ability to control the type of horse you are going to be riding. Secondly, we want you to be able to go on the type of ride you like. If you would like to go on a shorter, slower walking ride, then you will, however if you would like to go on a more advanced trotting and loping ride, then of course you will be allowed to go on that ride as well. We always want you to be comfortable and happy with your horse, wrangler, and your trail rides. People come to Dude/Guest Ranches to horseback ride, relax, and have fun, and we hope you will be very satisfied when you leave our ranch.

• The novice rider can enjoy a slow, scenic ride twice daily for approx. 1- 1 1/2 hours.

• The intermediate rider can enjoy both slow scenic rides, as well as a walk, trot, and loping rides lasting 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

• The experienced rider has many options available to them. Along with the rides listed above, we also offer challenging mountain rides (only during cooler months, approx. September - April), and fast paced loping rides.

• We also offer 3-4 hour lunch rides (A bag lunch is provided for these rides.), and  a 2 1/2 hour "cactus ride" to some riders. Your riding ability will determine if you can enjoy one of these longer rides.  There is a minimum stay required of 4 nights to be eligible for the longer rides. Also, they are only during cooler months, approx. September - April.

• Due to the heat of the Arizona desert between May - September, horseback rides will leave around 6-7 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. During the rest of the year the rides go out around 9:15 a.m. & 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Rides go out at 4:00 pm on the day of check in (September-April) and 4:30 pm (October -May).

• Children 8 years and older will be allowed to ride on the trails with their own horse under their own guidance. Children that are ages 6 or 7 years old MAY (Up to the discretion of Carrie Rynders) be able to ride on the trails while being "ponied" by one of our wranglers. This means that the lead wrangler will tie a long lead rope from the child's horse and hold onto that rope for the entire ride to insure that the horse will not run-off or become uncontrollable for the child. If you have any questions about this, please email or call us directly at 866-444-4471.

• Please be advised that anyone under the age of 5 or over the weight of 230 lbs. is not allowed outside of the arena/ranch.

• For children 5 and under we do offer a short, slow walking ride with side walkers around the ranch or down the driveway and back. This gives the kids a wonderful riding experience outside of the smaller, restricted arena.

• PLEASE NOTE: If it is your first time visiting Stagecoach Trails, or if has been more than 1 year since your previous visit, then your 1st trail ride will be a mandatory walking ride only. After that you are eligible to ride at your own ability and try the trotting or loping rides if you are comfortable, capable, and the wranglers are as well. If you have any questions, please call or email us anytime.

• All riders will be required to sign a release form waiver before participating in any activity at Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch.

As you can see, we offer a riding program that anyone would be hard pressed to complain about