Horseback riding vacations in California provide a unique opportunity for individuals to see the beauty of California the same way that the first pioneers did, from horseback. You can book riding vacations for a day, a few days, or full-week vacations. It is important before booking a vacation to adequately assess the skill of each individual and book a vacation that will be enjoyed and not leave the riders overextended.
Training
Most ranches that offer riding vacations in California will require that each rider first get through a bit of training before hitting the trails. The training will cover how to get on and off the horse, what to do in different situations that may occur on the trail, for example, if a something moves and spooks the horse. This training helps to ensure a safe ride for everyone and should be taken seriously.
Accommodations
Accommodations may or may not be included in the riding package. If only riding for a day or an afternoon, overnight accommodation will probably not be included. However, for many of the multiple-day riding vacations, lodging accommodations are available right on the grounds. Many of these accommodations resemble a bed and breakfast type of atmosphere and are included in the overall package price.
Group Sizes
Consider the group size before booking a riding vacation in California. Each ranch that offers riding vacations is allowed to set the number of people they will take on the trail at the time. This may mean that one group may take 20 people on a ride at a time and another may take only five. If small group riding is a priority for a California riding vacation make sure to take time to ask about the group sizes.
Tennessee Walkers
Many of the ranches that provide horseback riding vacations in California use Tennessee Walkers as the breed of choice for their mounts. The Tennessee walker is known for its running walk, which is a very smooth gate. The horse is able to cover ground quickly with this gate and very little jarring is felt by the rider. When the Tennessee walker gallops it is similar to the motion of a rocking chair, which provides the rider with a smooth ride and more ground covered.
Where the Trail Leads
California riding vacations are diverse and cover a variety of different types of California terrain. One day may be spent riding along the coast line with the giant Redwoods on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Many ranches will use trails through state parks and provide a mixture of coastal riding, inland riding across vast prairies, and trails that lead through the heart of forests.
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