One day in texas

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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So in the summer I have to go to Texas for a few days (I know nightmare ;) )

But in the middle of the trip I have one whole day where I have nothing to do — I thought maybe having a trek or a lesson in western might be fun but every site I have found it looks more like a wobble along pony trek with people who can’t ride at all… now I know nothing about western but reckon I’d be ok going for a bit of a lope (look at me using the lingo) or doing a bit
More than stopping and walking at a slow walk…

I know it’s a long shot and this is a British forum but does anyone know anywhere — I will be travelling inbetween Dallas and Houston so in that (massive) area would be great
 
I can't be of any help but keep searching.
We often holiday in Canada as have family there and I wanted to do the whole riding thing.
Luckily I found a place that catered for all abilities so I could go on a trek that included getting out of walk and trot!
I think they're out there just might need a really good search. Might be worth contacting a few to see if they have more options on offer than what they advertise.
 
blitznbobs said:
So in the summer I have to go to Texas for a few days (I know nightmare ;) )

But in the middle of the trip I have one whole day where I have nothing to do — I thought maybe having a trek or a lesson in western might be fun but every site I have found it looks more like a wobble along pony trek with people who can’t ride at all… now I know nothing about western but reckon I’d be ok going for a bit of a lope (look at me using the lingo) or doing a bit
More than stopping and walking at a slow walk…

I know it’s a long shot and this is a British forum but does anyone know anywhere — I will be travelling inbetween Dallas and Houston so in that (massive) area would be great
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You will find many restrictions on tourist riding in USA due to the cost of insurance where there is no NHS.
Our travel health insurance covered tourist riding but not jumping or competing or sports.
Standard tourist trail rides in the National Parks or tourist attractions include people who have never ridden before. The group rides nose to tail with the occasional short trot. If you go to a resort hotel where there are horses and rides on offer (as my grand daughter and her parents once did) then a private ride may include canter or galloping.

Before we left for one of our American road trips, I googled to find places tourists could ride and took my own helmet and bp. Before our first USA trip, I also had a couple of Western lessons here in UK. They were not a success. At that time Western riding in the UK was a bit of a cult and as an elderly novice, I was unwelcome.
One of my loveliest rides ever was on a mule down the precipitous side of Bryce Canyon so no cantering there.
I rode twice in Texas but both times with internet contacts I knew through riding forums like this.

A word of warning. I have twice arrived for a private hack and been allotted with pride a horse in "English" tack. In fact I love riding quarter horses in Western tack but due to mountainous terrain I dont think I ever cantered! My only Western canter ever was on a cow herding exercise, rounding up a cow that got away from the group. But in TexasI I did learn to jog trot and when I got back to UK I taught my old RS favourite hack to jog trot too.

I dont much like heights and learned that when one rides a horse or mule down a precipice, the horse or mule walks very close to the edge. That is apparently so the horse can see a mountain lion or coyote that might be lurking near the track. I used to relax and give a long rein, assuming that the horse i was riding did this route several times a day all summer and knew the safe footing better than I did.
 
Can I make a suggestion, if live got a day free, then I recommend going to Stockyards in Fort Worth, it’s fascinating, there’s also an amazing western boot shop across the Main Street called Cavenders, it’s well worth a wander if you’ve not been before. Also, there’s Teskeys, an amazing massive tack shop in Weatherford and they have an excellent cafe.

For a western experience where you can guarantee the experience and know what you’ll get, I’d just go to Sovereign Quarter horses in the UK and ride there, a lot of the touristy places I know of in Texas are more geeked towards tourists, so more of a walk pace.
 
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On a work trip to Texas, my husband was taken to a kids rodeo. He was stunned at the skill and competence of some of the tiniest riders and their horses. It was a real fun day, as were the Texas barbecues. He didn't know steaks and ribs could be so huge.
 
Helpful user said:
going to Stockyards in Fort Worth,
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We stayed in Fort Worth for that reason. There used to be a Rodeo there once a week. We watched a kid's rodeo which was amazing. Our first night eating supper in Fort Worth a teenager at the same table pulled out her phone to show me her horse.
Next day we went to the art gallery. The Kimbell art gallery. Our first discovery of Western art.
 
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We never got there but the Stark Museum of Western Art in Orange Texas has a Bierstadt painting I always wanted to see.
Most of our visits were to Forts and battle fields. Plus a historic ranch or two. For instance the King Ranch and President Johnson's home.
 
Helpful user said:
Can I make a suggestion, if live got a day free, then I recommend going to Stockyards in Fort Worth, it’s fascinating, there’s also an amazing western boot shop across the Main Street called Cavenders, it’s well worth a wander if you’ve not been before. Also, there’s Teskeys, an amazing massive tack shop in Weatherford and they have an excellent cafe.

For a western experience where you can guarantee the experience and know what you’ll get, I’d just go to Sovereign Quarter horses in the UK and ride there, a lot of the touristy places I know of in Texas are more geeked towards tourists, so more of a walk pace.
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Thank you that sounds amazing … I am visiting the dinosaur foot prints which aren’t far from there so it is definitely worth a look - I’ve been looking for somewhere to stay so I will have a look
 
Skib said:
We stayed in Fort Worth for that reason. There used to be a Rodeo there once a week. We watched a kid's rodeo which was amazing. Our first night eating supper in Fort Worth a teenager at the same table pulled out her phone to show me her horse.
Next day we went to the art gallery. The Kimbell art gallery. Our first discovery of Western art.
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They still do the rodeo, every Saturday night, it’s a great night. Billy Bobs is supposed to be amazing too, live music and they have some top artists. We developed a love of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and went back one year to watch the championships in Arlington.
 
blitznbobs said:
Thank you that sounds amazing … I am visiting the dinosaur foot prints which aren’t far from there so it is definitely worth a look - I’ve been looking for somewhere to stay so I will have a look
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Stockyards is one of our favourite places, they also an do the cattle drive with the long horn cattle down the Main Street of a morning, lots of great little shops too, the dinosaur foot prints sound incredible.
 
Denali said:
Where in Texas will you be? For your day off I mean?
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Well the day before I am planning on going to the museum of creationism - I have always wanted to see it…. (which is south of Dallas and Fort Worth) and the day after I have to be in Houston … I have plenty of free time between two appointments so my plans can be moved round if something fits better basically I have a meeting in Dallas and then a meeting later in Houston with 4 days clear in between … not worth coming home so I’m having a mini road trip round texas

Unfortunately my flights are such that I fly in on Sunday and out on Friday evening so not there for the Saturday rodeo 🥴
 
Which month are you going? July/August you could be looking at 35+ degree heat during the day so think about what you really want to be doing!
 
teapot said:
Which month are you going? July/August you could be looking at 35+ degree heat during the day so think about what you really want to be doing!
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Yes this is an issue… I’m looking at evening rides in particular but tbh I’m just trying not to waste a day… if I find stuff in an air conditioned environment I will probably pick that
 
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