I gave up going horseback riding on vacation long ago. I have been on enough of those summer vacation trail rides to know that they generally bore me.
The scenery is nice, but plodding along at a walk in a long line of un-enthused, un-interested horses who walk the same trail day after day is just not my thing (especially when I am spending my precious vacation dollars to do it!)
When I booked my ride at the Broken Saddle Riding Company, I was genuinely surprised by how much I was looking forward to it. As I drove out of Santa Fe towards the stable in Cerillos, NM I was giddy like a school girl with excitement.
Their website was what had initially piqued my interest. Trot, canter…yes please! I am not an expert, but I have been on enough horses that waking is not always fun anymore. I was pleased to see that they generally try to book group rides by experience level, splitting up riders who want to move a little faster from those who don’t.
The ride lived up to my every expectation, and then some. The Broken Saddle uses only well trained, gaited horses (Tennesee Walking Horses and Missouri Fox Trotters) on their rides. The horses were not the bored, unfulfilled creatures that are the norm in this situation. They are really well cared for and seem to enjoy their jobs.
I had never ridden a gaited horse before, and the experience was really incredible. For those who do not know, a horses gait refers to its “speeds” (walk, trot and gallop are all gaits of a horse). Gaited horses refer to certain breeds of horses that have an extra “gait” that is smoother and easy on your bottom!
The ride was fantastic, and I felt well cared for by the staff from the first time that I called until I drove away afterwards. If you are looking for something more than the average trail ride and you are visiting Santa Fe, make sure to give the Broken Saddle a call!
I love riding horseback. It takes the load off of me. And, I can enjoy the scenery at the same time. This is especially a good thing in HOT weather, as I do not do well in those conditions. That is a totally cute close up photo of your horse. Have you ever ridden a donkey in the desert?
Nope, never ridden a donkey in the desert 🙂 Sounds like a great time!
I love horse back riding, but agree that touristy nose-to-tail horse “walks” are totally boring. Boring for you and for the horse!
Oh, this looks interesting. I couldn’t remember the last time I was able to ride a horse. All I remembered was I got really scared but for many years that gone by, I am still very interested to ride on horses again. By checking out this article, I am really intrested to visit this place soon and maybe try that hoseback riding again and see what happens.
You should give it another try! It is a nice way to see the countryside!