Partridg3
Well-Known Member
Having lost my confidence riding years ago I have hit 41 and booked a week at a ranch!! It's a relaxed one, not a crazy working one, but does anyone have any tips re hats/chaps/boots etc to take?
Ranch holiday, any tips
- Thread starter Partridg3
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MerrySherryRider
Well-Known Member
No, but would love to hear about it when you get back. OH keeps trying to persuade me to book one but can never decide which ranch to book with.
Casey76
Well-Known Member
Whereabouts are you going?
I just rode in jeans all the time. Be sure to take your hard hat. Please don't be blasé about your head even if you are the only one there wearing one
I just rode in jeans all the time. Be sure to take your hard hat. Please don't be blasé about your head even if you are the only one there wearing one
gnubee
Well-Known Member
Echo what Casey said. There is a good chance they wont have proper riding hats for adults to borrow; take your own even if you feel daft (there is a good chance you will be the only adult wearing one). It will probably be hot, so even better consider investing in a vented one if you don't already have one.
I rode in jeans all the time (no problems with comfort, rubbing etc.) and got some cowboy boots before I went, but they did also have cowboy boots to borrow there. If you wear chaps in the UK you might want them, but I don't and didn't, it was hot enough as it was without adding layers. Consider lightweight long sleeved shirts; if it is sunny, it is stupidly easy to burn your arms in short sleeves. Suncream and SPF chapstick for the same reason. Take a water bottle; one of the lightweight aluminium ones is good, and make sure you fill it before you set off on your first ride. Also waterproof coat that packs small just in case.
Ours had some bits of hiking, so suitable hiking shoes might be a good idea. Our wrangler could climb anything in his cowboy boots, but I struggled a bit more without proper ankle support and grip.
If you want to take a camera make sure it is one you won't be devastated if you drop.
Most of all though, just relax. They will have had to cope with people who thought all they needed to bring was shorts and flip flops and got on the horse backwards, so whatever you forget you can deal with. Many of them actually send out a recommended kit list with your booking confirmation.
Hope you enjoy your ranch trip as much as we enjoyed ours!
I rode in jeans all the time (no problems with comfort, rubbing etc.) and got some cowboy boots before I went, but they did also have cowboy boots to borrow there. If you wear chaps in the UK you might want them, but I don't and didn't, it was hot enough as it was without adding layers. Consider lightweight long sleeved shirts; if it is sunny, it is stupidly easy to burn your arms in short sleeves. Suncream and SPF chapstick for the same reason. Take a water bottle; one of the lightweight aluminium ones is good, and make sure you fill it before you set off on your first ride. Also waterproof coat that packs small just in case.
Ours had some bits of hiking, so suitable hiking shoes might be a good idea. Our wrangler could climb anything in his cowboy boots, but I struggled a bit more without proper ankle support and grip.
If you want to take a camera make sure it is one you won't be devastated if you drop.
Most of all though, just relax. They will have had to cope with people who thought all they needed to bring was shorts and flip flops and got on the horse backwards, so whatever you forget you can deal with. Many of them actually send out a recommended kit list with your booking confirmation.
Hope you enjoy your ranch trip as much as we enjoyed ours!
Merlin11
Well-Known Member
Second buying cowboy boots and wearing jeans. If it will be hot also recommend a light vented hat. The ranch I go to supplies helmets. I love the western riding. It is so relaxing and fun. Which ranch are you going to? We have been to the white stallion in Arizona 3 times and love it. Hope you have a great time.
Partridg3
Well-Known Member
Going to black mountain ranch in Colorado. Very excited. Going with my 13 year old son....just us. I was going to take vest tops skinny jeans boots and chaps - think the ranch sells chaps so thought they might be cheapest option with no postage...will ask them 
I've spent ten mins googling the likelihood of being eaten by a bear but other than that I can't wait !! Thanks for all the positive info
I've spent ten mins googling the likelihood of being eaten by a bear but other than that I can't wait !! Thanks for all the positive info
Mrs B
Well-Known Member
Oooh! You'll love it!
Good advice above, especially about the hat. But do take something with long sleeves too and some really good fly repellant. I went for a 2 week holiday in Canada and the biting flies were enormous
Decant some into a little spray bottle so you can take it out on the ride too - we had little packs that lashed to the d-rings at the back of the saddle as we were out in the mountains for 6 to 7 hours a day.
Have a wonderful time!
Good advice above, especially about the hat. But do take something with long sleeves too and some really good fly repellant. I went for a 2 week holiday in Canada and the biting flies were enormous
Decant some into a little spray bottle so you can take it out on the ride too - we had little packs that lashed to the d-rings at the back of the saddle as we were out in the mountains for 6 to 7 hours a day.
Have a wonderful time!
mel_s
Well-Known Member
Yes - jeans and either cowboy boots or short boots (mountain horse lace ups or anything similar). They dont usually have hard hats as they dont wear them over there.
Also - long sleeves for riding. I managed to get some long sleeve shirts from a levi shops for like £10 each.
Also - long sleeves for riding. I managed to get some long sleeve shirts from a levi shops for like £10 each.
Casey76
Well-Known Member
Just because I love this photo... a view across the great continental divide from Montana
Partridg3
Well-Known Member
That's a beautiful picture. Did you ache after riding so much? I'm aiming to relax in hot tub with copious amounts of alcohol!
Casey76
Well-Known Member
Yes! I found it really tough actually, because at the time I was only riding at a school for an hour per week; it was a bit of a shock to go to several hours a day.
Fortunately I didn't to trail riding every day, some days we played with the cows in the arena for a bit, some days I helped with general ranch chores.
I would really love to go back, as it was a real family farm, rather than a big commercial enterprise.
The whole family looked after me so well. The second year I was there I found out my dad died halfway through my holiday, and they couldn't have been more accommodating for me.
I truly fell in love with America while I was there, and if money was no object I would holiday at the Rocking Z every year!
Fortunately I didn't to trail riding every day, some days we played with the cows in the arena for a bit, some days I helped with general ranch chores.
I would really love to go back, as it was a real family farm, rather than a big commercial enterprise.
The whole family looked after me so well. The second year I was there I found out my dad died halfway through my holiday, and they couldn't have been more accommodating for me.
I truly fell in love with America while I was there, and if money was no object I would holiday at the Rocking Z every year!
Myloubylou
Well-Known Member
Was lucky enough to work through the summer on a ranch in North Dakota. Constantly amazed what some people turned up to ride in. Standard clothing for us guides was jeans, t shirt, cowboy hat, ariat boots and loads of big spray and sun tan lotion.
Merlin11
Well-Known Member
A must if you are going to be riding several hours a day are padded pants or cycling shorts. Equetech do padded pants.