Q. Hi everyone!! Well while i was on vacation, i went on a guided trail ride with my family. I own a horse, and thought it would be fun cause i ride my horse all the time. On the ride, the trail guide said he only has been riding for less than a year.
Then worse happened, there was a thick bush and i totally crashed the bush and went flying off the horse. Sure i was all scratched up and all, and boy did i feel stupid!
Another thing that happened on the same ride was after i got back on after fallling, the guide couldnt control his horse and kept it trotting not knowing how to stop it. With his horse trotting, all of the 6 horses behind began trotting really fast with very very beginners on them.
my question is:
What is you experience with guided trail rides?
Also how many of you have fallen off on a guided ride?
Do you think most of the guides have much experience?
thanks!!
Then worse happened, there was a thick bush and i totally crashed the bush and went flying off the horse. Sure i was all scratched up and all, and boy did i feel stupid!
Another thing that happened on the same ride was after i got back on after fallling, the guide couldnt control his horse and kept it trotting not knowing how to stop it. With his horse trotting, all of the 6 horses behind began trotting really fast with very very beginners on them.
my question is:
What is you experience with guided trail rides?
Also how many of you have fallen off on a guided ride?
Do you think most of the guides have much experience?
thanks!!
Answer
Okay, back in the late 60's and very early 70's I worked as a guide for Sea Horse Ranch, Half Moon Bay, CA to support my horses. Earl Caudle made sure we all had experience and also had grown adult males normally riding bird dog for most of the trail. A "Bird Dog" was a wrangler who sat out on the trail and would take the ride to the end of the trail from where us "wranglers" took them and assist with any problems us "kids" had with any of the riders.
We had VERY few wrecks at Sea Horse and normally it was the RIDER's fault when they did happen. The WRANGLERS or guides are there for your protection AND the horse's. You'd be amazed at the things rent riders do to some of those horses.
Sounds like this stable doesn't have a CLUE how to train their guides. Even now that Earl has sold his place and the new owners have had it over a decade it's still run basically the same way if not more careful. My best friend took me there for what was my 41st year anniversary riding there last year for my birthday. I noticed that the bumps were taken out of the trail, there's a little bicycle path and cutesy fence on the beach side of the trail. The guides now are Mexican and no habla English too well, not the kids or the old time cowboys anymore. The tack is in dire need of repair (One saddle didn't even have fenders) and they didn't allow you to take cell phones or cameras with you (So they could sell you a CD of the pictures their guy on the scooter took.), but basically it was the SAME trail just more idiot proof.
I've found that at the lower end rental stables they tend to have the lesser experienced staffers, throughout the years. The Mexican, could ride, but his interaction with the riders was minimal unless you happened to habla Espanol...HeHeHe
Okay, back in the late 60's and very early 70's I worked as a guide for Sea Horse Ranch, Half Moon Bay, CA to support my horses. Earl Caudle made sure we all had experience and also had grown adult males normally riding bird dog for most of the trail. A "Bird Dog" was a wrangler who sat out on the trail and would take the ride to the end of the trail from where us "wranglers" took them and assist with any problems us "kids" had with any of the riders.
We had VERY few wrecks at Sea Horse and normally it was the RIDER's fault when they did happen. The WRANGLERS or guides are there for your protection AND the horse's. You'd be amazed at the things rent riders do to some of those horses.
Sounds like this stable doesn't have a CLUE how to train their guides. Even now that Earl has sold his place and the new owners have had it over a decade it's still run basically the same way if not more careful. My best friend took me there for what was my 41st year anniversary riding there last year for my birthday. I noticed that the bumps were taken out of the trail, there's a little bicycle path and cutesy fence on the beach side of the trail. The guides now are Mexican and no habla English too well, not the kids or the old time cowboys anymore. The tack is in dire need of repair (One saddle didn't even have fenders) and they didn't allow you to take cell phones or cameras with you (So they could sell you a CD of the pictures their guy on the scooter took.), but basically it was the SAME trail just more idiot proof.
I've found that at the lower end rental stables they tend to have the lesser experienced staffers, throughout the years. The Mexican, could ride, but his interaction with the riders was minimal unless you happened to habla Espanol...HeHeHe
Need suggestions in buying a new bicycle?
I'm looking to buy a bike so I could ride along with my kids (4 and 7 years old). I'm thinking that a mountain bike would be better than a road bike, due to its versatility. However, I have very limited knowledge in brands, features, wheel sizes, suspensions, etc... I don't want to spend more than $600 on a new bike. Can you offer some suggestions to assist/guide me in shopping for a new bike?
Answer
Start by reading "How to Choose a Bicycle" on this link - http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html
I seriously doubt you NEED a mountain bike. Don't buy what you want - buy what you NEED. If you'll be riding on streets & light off road (groomed) trails you don't NEED suspension at all. A comfort and/or hybrid bike would work just as well & be easier to ride. Suspension parts soak up or 'zap' your energy. With every stroke of the pedals part of your energy is lost or soaked up into those suspension parts. Knobby off-road tires slow you down.
Features? Double wall rims and an 8 speed "cassette" rear cog - not a 7 speed "freewheel". The hub (axle) on the cassette is MUCH stronger. Too many good brands to recommend just one or two. See your local bike shop. Tell the salesperson "where & how" you plan on riding. What you NEED the bicycle to do for you.
Extensively test ride a few. The one that rides & just plain feels the best - buy it!
Start by reading "How to Choose a Bicycle" on this link - http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html
I seriously doubt you NEED a mountain bike. Don't buy what you want - buy what you NEED. If you'll be riding on streets & light off road (groomed) trails you don't NEED suspension at all. A comfort and/or hybrid bike would work just as well & be easier to ride. Suspension parts soak up or 'zap' your energy. With every stroke of the pedals part of your energy is lost or soaked up into those suspension parts. Knobby off-road tires slow you down.
Features? Double wall rims and an 8 speed "cassette" rear cog - not a 7 speed "freewheel". The hub (axle) on the cassette is MUCH stronger. Too many good brands to recommend just one or two. See your local bike shop. Tell the salesperson "where & how" you plan on riding. What you NEED the bicycle to do for you.
Extensively test ride a few. The one that rides & just plain feels the best - buy it!
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Title Post: Guided trail rides? Experience?
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Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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