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experiencelifemag.com
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Ride Away
Looking for an exhilarating way your whole family can explore the great outdoors
together? Consider an unforgettably fun horseback-riding adventure.
By Laurel Kallenbach |
September 2009 |
Horse of a Different Color
Westward Ho!
The Neighs Have It
The Reins in Spain
The Right Ride
Coyotes howl in the distance as Jeff Moore and his daughter, Jill, eat cowboy
grub by the campfire in California’s eastern Sierras. Nearby, horses nicker and
munch hay. The Moores’ annual father-daughter horseback adventure — a four-day
camping trip driving more than 100 horses 100 miles across the valley — lets
them get away from daily routines and enjoy the freedom of wide-open spaces.
“I love horses and being outside with my dad,” says Jill, 18. “It’s fun
getting dirty and riding fast to round up riderless horses that try to break
away.”
The horse drives give the Moores, who live in Coto de Caza, Calif., a
chance to bond. “There are no cell phones, laptops or TVs on this trip,” says
Jeff, 52, a managing director for a commercial-real-estate brokerage firm. “I’m
in beautiful country, riding a horse next to my daughter, having genuine
conversations because we’re not distracted or busy.”
The two have saddled up
every summer for the past 10 years, through 100-degree heat, rain, lightning,
hail and even snow. “I used to think Jill would outgrow these horse trips,” says
Jeff, “but she’s always excited to go and even invites other friends and
families.” Wranglers from the Bishop, Calif.–based outfitter Frontier Pack Train
match riders with a horse suited to their ability, so all ages can enjoy riding
together.
Although Jill is heading off to college this fall, she intends to
return next summer for the horse drive. “It’s a family tradition,” she says,
“and it keeps us close.”
Horse of a Different Color
Equestrian treks — a.k.a. equi-adventures — are
attracting both seasoned riders and first-timers. Less touristy than other
getaways, horseback adventures take you through quiet countryside and
challenging wilderness trails that are often inaccessible by vehicle or by foot,
and they let you explore breathtaking landscapes in a unique, intimate way.
“Horseback riding can be such a rush — or really peaceful,” says Darley
Newman, the host and producer of Equitrekking, a PBS travel series that takes
viewers on horseback adventures around the world. “You get the physical
challenge of riding different kinds of horses in the style of the place you’re
visiting.”
You can gallop in Guatemala, canter in Canada, amble in Alaska or
trot in Turkey. And you can choose rustic camping or opt for luxurious
accommodations at a lodge or at inns along the trail. Either way, you’ll get
plenty of fresh air and exercise — horseback riding works the inner thighs,
hamstrings, calves and core abdominal muscles. (For equi-adventure planning
tips, see “The Right Ride,” below.)
Never been on a horse? Not a problem.
On some trips, wranglers coach beginners so they can improve while they ride on
their vacation. If you’re a novice — or ride infrequently — start small before
committing to a full-scale horseback excursion. “Incorporate one short ride
into your vacation and see how it goes,” Newman suggests. “If you’re in Hawaii,
spend one morning exploring part of the island on horseback. In wine country,
take a bike tour one day, then ride a horse through a vineyard the next.”
Westward Ho!
Equi-adventures let you slow down and relive an era when
horses were our primary mode of transportation. That historical appeal drew
Trudy Campbell, an office administrator in Mississauga, Ontario, to sign up for
a six-day trip through Wyoming’s Grand Tetons in a covered wagon train,
organized by Hidden Trails, an outfitter in Vancouver, B.C.
“I hadn’t been
on a horse in years, so I was wary, but I was so intrigued by stories of the Old
West that I thought I’d try this trip,” says Campbell, 59. “The first day, the
wranglers gave us basic riding instruction, then we got on our horses and away
we went! The first thing we did was cross a flooded stream where the water was
fast; I learned to trust my horse very quickly.”
Campbell’s vacation suited
her skills. For half the day she rode a horse; in the afternoons, she traveled
by covered wagon, which was also her night’s lodging. (The seats folded into
bunks.) “Every morning I got up, stepped out of the wagon and — wow! — there
were those incredible mountains.”
Riding in the wagons let Campbell rest
enough that she eventually was able to spend one full day in the saddle, a feat
that left her spirits buoyed and her legs a bit rubbery. “I had to learn to walk
again when I got off the horse,” she jokes.
Besides spotting bear, elk and
beaver, and reveling in the scenery, Campbell relived a cushier version of
pioneer life — complete with cowboy songs and poetry. “The food was awesome, so
other than sore butt muscles, there was no suffering on this trip.”
The Neighs Have It
There’s no more empowering adventure than one with a
horse, says Bayard Fox, owner of Equitours, based in Dubois, Wyo. “Horses are
dynamic; it’s exhilarating working in partnership with these animals,” he says.
“They’re completely with you — even if you’re riding in Africa when the lions
are giving chase or when a zebra challenges you to a race. And you can feel the
horse’s excitement and pleasure when you’re taking an exhilarating gallop on a
beach.”
Many animal lovers sign on to an equitrek to spend time exploring the
horse-human relationship. Outfitters usually pair each rider with a single horse
for the entire trip, so you can request the type of personality that makes you
comfortable: spirited or steady. On some riding trips, Fox says, you feed,
saddle and groom your horse, too.
It’s a good idea to practice your riding
skills before joining a trek — especially one rated as intermediate or advanced,
which often requires riders to be on the horse for at least six hours a day,
every day. (Horse ranches often offer this kind of training.) “If you’re in
shape, you shouldn’t be the least bit sore after covering 10 to 20 miles a day
in the saddle,” says Fox.
The Reins in Spain
For her 70th
birthday, Sally Schoettgen of Columbia, Calif., invited three girlfriends on an
eight-day Equitours trip in southern Spain, where they rode purebred Andalusian
horses from inn to inn. “Don’t let my age scare you!” Schoettgen quipped on the
company’s questionnaire, which assesses riders’ skill and endurance. At home,
she rides in the mountains three times a week, so she was in great condition for
a cultural horse trek through villages in the Spanish Sierra Nevadas.
Astride
a white Andalusian named Adra, Schoettgen followed ancient bridle paths through
fig and almond farms and explored spectacular gorges. “We trotted and cantered a
lot,” she recalls, “but it was thrilling when Adra and I could really run fast
through the beautiful meadows.”
At day’s end, she and her friends arrived at
a small village inn (their luggage came by van). “Our Spanish hosts treated
us like family and prepared lovely dinners featuring the region’s best foods
and wines,” she recalls.
“Having a hotel room waiting is a touch of
luxury at the end of the trail,” Schoettgen says of the tour’s inn-to-inn
format. “We could clean up, relax and get a good night’s sleep, which made
it possible for us to ride six days in a row.”
During the week, the group
covered a lot of territory and visited villages whose cobblestone streets were
so steep and narrow that the riders had to lead their horses. “It was the
perfect physical adventure,” Schoettgen recalls. “Instead of being just a
spectator, I was an actual participant.” Laurel Kallenbach lives and writes in Boulder, Colo.
The Right Ride
Longing to slide into the stirrups on an equi-adventure? Answer these questions
to help you pick the horse trip of your dreams. - What type of rider are
you? Most outfitters distinguish between beginner, intermediate and advanced
trips so that you’ll be riding with peers of similar abilities. Family
trips welcome all abilities. To brush up your skills, try guest ranches, whose
instructors help you practice on the trail.
- Do you want to gallop around
the globe? Choose from Highland ponies in Scotland, Arabians in Morocco or
Tennessee Walking Horses in the Appalachians. Consider all types of terrain —
mountains, savannahs, beaches — and don’t limit yourself to summer. Think snow
riding or driving a horse-drawn sleigh.
- What do you want to do when
you’re not in the saddle? Some people want to ride all day. Others prefer
blending horse adventures with fishing, cooking classes, wine tasting, cultural
sight-seeing, hiking or kayaking.
- Where will you rest your head? Sleep
under the stars like a cowboy, travel from inn to inn on horseback, or pick a
home base such as a ranch house or wilderness lodge and make day trips from
there.
- What’s your budget? Prices for equi-adventures range from less than
$100 to thousands, depending on where you go, length of stay and accommodations
(the cheapest options are half-day rides during a vacation). Keep in mind that
most packages do not include airfare to your destination, or additional expenses
such as on-your-own meals, gratuities or optional activities.
For a list of equitrekking outfitters and to learn about trekking with other
animals, see the Web Extras! at the top right of this page. Plus, check out a few Equitrekking videos in our media center at experiencelifemag.com/videos.
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Ride Away
Looking for an exhilarating way your whole family can explore the great outdoors
together? Consider an unforgettably fun horseback-riding adventure.
By Laurel Kallenbach | Head Out Department,
September 2009 |
Horse of a Different Color
Westward Ho!
The Neighs Have It
The Reins in Spain
The Right Ride
Coyotes howl in the distance as Jeff Moore and his daughter, Jill, eat cowboy
grub by the campfire in California’s eastern Sierras. Nearby, horses nicker and
munch hay. The Moores’ annual father-daughter horseback adventure — a four-day
camping trip driving more than 100 horses 100 miles across the valley — lets
them get away from daily routines and enjoy the freedom of wide-open spaces.
“I love horses and being outside with my dad,” says Jill, 18. “It’s fun
getting dirty and riding fast to round up riderless horses that try to break
away.”
The horse drives give the Moores, who live in Coto de Caza, Calif., a
chance to bond. “There are no cell phones, laptops or TVs on this trip,” says
Jeff, 52, a managing director for a commercial-real-estate brokerage firm. “I’m
in beautiful country, riding a horse next to my daughter, having genuine
conversations because we’re not distracted or busy.”
The two have saddled up
every summer for the past 10 years, through 100-degree heat, rain, lightning,
hail and even snow. “I used to think Jill would outgrow these horse trips,” says
Jeff, “but she’s always excited to go and even invites other friends and
families.” Wranglers from the Bishop, Calif.–based outfitter Frontier Pack Train
match riders with a horse suited to their ability, so all ages can enjoy riding
together.
Although Jill is heading off to college this fall, she intends to
return next summer for the horse drive. “It’s a family tradition,” she says,
“and it keeps us close.”
Horse of a Different Color
Equestrian treks — a.k.a. equi-adventures — are
attracting both seasoned riders and first-timers. Less touristy than other
getaways, horseback adventures take you through quiet countryside and
challenging wilderness trails that are often inaccessible by vehicle or by foot,
and they let you explore breathtaking landscapes in a unique, intimate way.
“Horseback riding can be such a rush — or really peaceful,” says Darley
Newman, the host and producer of Equitrekking, a PBS travel series that takes
viewers on horseback adventures around the world. “You get the physical
challenge of riding different kinds of horses in the style of the place you’re
visiting.”
You can gallop in Guatemala, canter in Canada, amble in Alaska or
trot in Turkey. And you can choose rustic camping or opt for luxurious
accommodations at a lodge or at inns along the trail. Either way, you’ll get
plenty of fresh air and exercise — horseback riding works the inner thighs,
hamstrings, calves and core abdominal muscles. (For equi-adventure planning
tips, see “The Right Ride,” below.)
Never been on a horse? Not a problem.
On some trips, wranglers coach beginners so they can improve while they ride on
their vacation. If you’re a novice — or ride infrequently — start small before
committing to a full-scale horseback excursion. “Incorporate one short ride
into your vacation and see how it goes,” Newman suggests. “If you’re in Hawaii,
spend one morning exploring part of the island on horseback. In wine country,
take a bike tour one day, then ride a horse through a vineyard the next.”
Westward Ho!
Equi-adventures let you slow down and relive an era when
horses were our primary mode of transportation. That historical appeal drew
Trudy Campbell, an office administrator in Mississauga, Ontario, to sign up for
a six-day trip through Wyoming’s Grand Tetons in a covered wagon train,
organized by Hidden Trails, an outfitter in Vancouver, B.C.
“I hadn’t been
on a horse in years, so I was wary, but I was so intrigued by stories of the Old
West that I thought I’d try this trip,” says Campbell, 59. “The first day, the
wranglers gave us basic riding instruction, then we got on our horses and away
we went! The first thing we did was cross a flooded stream where the water was
fast; I learned to trust my horse very quickly.”
Campbell’s vacation suited
her skills. For half the day she rode a horse; in the afternoons, she traveled
by covered wagon, which was also her night’s lodging. (The seats folded into
bunks.) “Every morning I got up, stepped out of the wagon and — wow! — there
were those incredible mountains.”
Riding in the wagons let Campbell rest
enough that she eventually was able to spend one full day in the saddle, a feat
that left her spirits buoyed and her legs a bit rubbery. “I had to learn to walk
again when I got off the horse,” she jokes.
Besides spotting bear, elk and
beaver, and reveling in the scenery, Campbell relived a cushier version of
pioneer life — complete with cowboy songs and poetry. “The food was awesome, so
other than sore butt muscles, there was no suffering on this trip.”
The Neighs Have It
There’s no more empowering adventure than one with a
horse, says Bayard Fox, owner of Equitours, based in Dubois, Wyo. “Horses are
dynamic; it’s exhilarating working in partnership with these animals,” he says.
“They’re completely with you — even if you’re riding in Africa when the lions
are giving chase or when a zebra challenges you to a race. And you can feel the
horse’s excitement and pleasure when you’re taking an exhilarating gallop on a
beach.”
Many animal lovers sign on to an equitrek to spend time exploring the
horse-human relationship. Outfitters usually pair each rider with a single horse
for the entire trip, so you can request the type of personality that makes you
comfortable: spirited or steady. On some riding trips, Fox says, you feed,
saddle and groom your horse, too.
It’s a good idea to practice your riding
skills before joining a trek — especially one rated as intermediate or advanced,
which often requires riders to be on the horse for at least six hours a day,
every day. (Horse ranches often offer this kind of training.) “If you’re in
shape, you shouldn’t be the least bit sore after covering 10 to 20 miles a day
in the saddle,” says Fox.
The Reins in Spain
For her 70th
birthday, Sally Schoettgen of Columbia, Calif., invited three girlfriends on an
eight-day Equitours trip in southern Spain, where they rode purebred Andalusian
horses from inn to inn. “Don’t let my age scare you!” Schoettgen quipped on the
company’s questionnaire, which assesses riders’ skill and endurance. At home,
she rides in the mountains three times a week, so she was in great condition for
a cultural horse trek through villages in the Spanish Sierra Nevadas.
Astride
a white Andalusian named Adra, Schoettgen followed ancient bridle paths through
fig and almond farms and explored spectacular gorges. “We trotted and cantered a
lot,” she recalls, “but it was thrilling when Adra and I could really run fast
through the beautiful meadows.”
At day’s end, she and her friends arrived at
a small village inn (their luggage came by van). “Our Spanish hosts treated
us like family and prepared lovely dinners featuring the region’s best foods
and wines,” she recalls.
“Having a hotel room waiting is a touch of
luxury at the end of the trail,” Schoettgen says of the tour’s inn-to-inn
format. “We could clean up, relax and get a good night’s sleep, which made
it possible for us to ride six days in a row.”
During the week, the group
covered a lot of territory and visited villages whose cobblestone streets were
so steep and narrow that the riders had to lead their horses. “It was the
perfect physical adventure,” Schoettgen recalls. “Instead of being just a
spectator, I was an actual participant.” Laurel Kallenbach lives and writes in Boulder, Colo.
The Right Ride
Longing to slide into the stirrups on an equi-adventure? Answer these questions
to help you pick the horse trip of your dreams. - What type of rider are
you? Most outfitters distinguish between beginner, intermediate and advanced
trips so that you’ll be riding with peers of similar abilities. Family
trips welcome all abilities. To brush up your skills, try guest ranches, whose
instructors help you practice on the trail.
- Do you want to gallop around
the globe? Choose from Highland ponies in Scotland, Arabians in Morocco or
Tennessee Walking Horses in the Appalachians. Consider all types of terrain —
mountains, savannahs, beaches — and don’t limit yourself to summer. Think snow
riding or driving a horse-drawn sleigh.
- What do you want to do when
you’re not in the saddle? Some people want to ride all day. Others prefer
blending horse adventures with fishing, cooking classes, wine tasting, cultural
sight-seeing, hiking or kayaking.
- Where will you rest your head? Sleep
under the stars like a cowboy, travel from inn to inn on horseback, or pick a
home base such as a ranch house or wilderness lodge and make day trips from
there.
- What’s your budget? Prices for equi-adventures range from less than
$100 to thousands, depending on where you go, length of stay and accommodations
(the cheapest options are half-day rides during a vacation). Keep in mind that
most packages do not include airfare to your destination, or additional expenses
such as on-your-own meals, gratuities or optional activities.
For a list of equitrekking outfitters and to learn about trekking with other
animals, see the Web Extras! at the top right of this page. Plus, check out a few Equitrekking videos in our media center at experiencelifemag.com/videos.
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