Horseback Riding – It’s What We Do

Horseback riding is all that we do here. We have horses and trails suitable for all levels of rider, whether this is your first time in the saddle or you are a seasoned rider.

We have a unique approach to the guest experience here at the ranch. We encourage all of our guests to take a hands-on, active role in the care and ownership of your horse during your stay through our Total Immersion Experience

On arrival at the ranch, you will be matched with the perfect horse taking into account your experience, confidence and personality; and he will be yours for the entire duration of your stay!

We ride Western style in western saddles designed for comfort of both horse and rider for long days on the trail.  We practice natural horsemanship techniques when handling and riding our horses, gentle but firm, riding with a loose rein and a light touch.

Prior to your first ride, you will be given an orientation on the Tod Mountain Ranch way of doing things. This is mandatory for riders of all levels of experience to ensure that you get the most out of your riding experience. There are many ways of doing things and your previous experience may be different from the methods and techniques that we adopt here at Tod Mountain Ranch.

On most of our trails, we walk, trot and lope (canter).

Children of all ages are very welcome at the ranch. Children aged 8 years and over will be able to participate in morning and afternoon trail rides. For the first day, until your children are comfortable with our horses and staff, we ask that parents accompany all children aged under 12. Children aged under 8 years are not able to participate in trail rides, however we will be able to lead them around the arena and our small pasture for short periods both morning and afternoon.

Total Immersion Horse Experience

By offering the opportunity for every guest to get hands on with the care of their horse, we allow you to develop a bond between you and your horse that will heighten your riding experience here at the ranch. Nothing is off limits and you will be welcome to participate in all aspects of the care and ownership of your horse during your stay. We invite you to do as much as you feel comfortable with, and we will help you with the rest.

If you’re an early riser, you will be invited to take part in the daily roundup and inspection. This is when we check the herd for signs of injury, illness, lameness and lost shoes! Once we’ve checked everyone over, then it’s time for breakfast.

After breakfast, we head to the barn and you will be able to catch, groom, and tack-up your horse ready for the days ride. On your first day, this will done under the supervision of our experienced Wranglers, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be able to do this on your own. Then at the end of the days riding, you get to unsaddle, brush down and turn out your horse.

Wrangler For The Day

We offer one guest each day the opportunity to be a Wrangler for the day. You will need to rise early and meet the team at the barn ready to round up the horses and bring them in from their night pastures. Once all horses are accounted for, you will help us check every one of the herd for injuries, lost shoes, cuts or bites that might warrant them being given the day off! Work with Tracey in matching the horses to riders and learn some of the science behind this very important task at the barn. After breakfast, assist the Wranglers with the routine barn jobs followed by the grooming and tacking up of all horses needed for the days rides.

When the ride returns to the barn at lunchtime, whilst the other guests rush off to find out what’s for lunch, you will be filling water troughs, picking up poop and making sure the horses are comfortable during their mid-day break. After lunch, back to the barn again to cinch up the horses and get ready for the afternoon ride.

At the end of the day, you will help untack all of the horses and turn them out for the night. Then it’s onto the list of barn chores, cleaning and storing everything away, before we close the barn for the day.

If being a Wrangler is your dream job, even just for one day, then let us know and we will be sure to put you on the roster!

Thank you all for a wonderful experience. We came to improve our riding and gain confidence and we did. I was nervous of loping before I came, but not anymore. Working with the horses also increased our confidence and we will both saddle-up now according to the ‘Tod Mountain way’. The cabins were cool and comfortable, food excellent and everyone we met here was friendly (including the herd) Thanks again! Stuart & Pat, UK