HORSEBACK RIDING
Horseback riding at Elkhorn Ranch Arizona takes you high into the Baboquivari Mountains, a Sonoran Desert Sky Island, and into the grasslands of the Altar Valley.
The ranch’s ten thousand acres include remote and intimate canyons, high peaks with glorious views, and open country suitable for faster riding.
EXPERIENCE TRUE WILDERNESS AND ADVENTURE
The Millers take pride in carefully matching guests with the right horse and saddle, and they are yours throughout your visit
The Millers take pride in carefully matching guests with the right horse and saddle, and they are yours throughout your visit
The Millers talk with each guest individually at breakfast and lunch each day to arrange the day’s rides.
With six guides, small riding groups are arranged so that you may have the length and pace of ride you desire.
The individual attention that helps beginning riders, of all ages, build skills and confidence enables experienced riders enjoy challenge and stimulation.
TURN
YOUR
KIDS
LOOSE!
Kids bond quickly and enjoy riding and playing together without their adults!
Couples, family groups or friends traveling together may ride together, or separate to follow their own interests.
Solo travelers find camaraderie on the trail.
RIDING CHOICES
Your riding choices will revolve around the pace of the ride, length, and steepness.
The Millers encourage week or longer stays so that you may build your confidence in your skills and your horse and become comfortable with the steep and rocky terrain.
Mountain riding is always at a walking pace and you can access steep country. Desert riding is suitable for faster riding, which the Millers call “loping rides”.
Other choices relate to steepness or the length of the ride. Half-day rides range from 1.5 to 3 hours. All-day rides range from 6 – 7 hours, with lunch out on the trail.
RIDING CHOICES
Your riding choices will revolve around the pace of the ride, length, and steepness.
The Millers encourage week or longer stays so that you may build your confidence in your skills and your horse and become comfortable with the steep and rocky terrain.
Mountain riding is always at a walking pace and you can access steep country. Desert riding is suitable for faster riding, which the Millers call “loping rides”.
Other choices relate to steepness or the length of the ride. Half-day rides range from 1.5 to 3 hours. All-day rides range from 6 – 7 hours, with lunch out on the trail.
Desert riding is suitable for faster riding, which the Millers call “loping rides”.
RIDING CHOICES
Your riding choices will revolve around the pace of the ride, length, and steepness.
The Millers encourage week or longer stays so that you may build your confidence in your skills and your horse and become comfortable with the steep and rocky terrain.
Mountain riding is always at a walking pace and you can access steep country. Desert riding is suitable for faster riding, which the Millers call “loping rides”.
Other choices relate to steepness or the length of the ride. Half-day rides range from 1.5 to 3 hours. All-day rides range from 6 – 7 hours, with lunch out on the trail.
Desert riding is suitable for faster riding, which the Millers call “loping rides”.
The traditional Saturday picnic ride consists of half-day rides to and from a picnic location out on the desert where everyone gathers for lunch.
The traditional Saturday picnic ride consists of half-day rides to and from a picnic location out on the desert where everyone gathers for lunch.
The traditional Saturday picnic ride consists of half-day rides to and from a picnic location out on the desert where everyone gathers for lunch.
Hands on horse work can take place after your ride, when you can unsaddle, brush and turn your horse loose back into the corral. Guides are always present to lend a hand with a heavy saddle and help out as needed.
Most people really enjoy this chance to get more involved, learn more, and relate to your horse in a different way.
Hands on horse work can take place after your ride, when you can unsaddle, brush and turn your horse loose back into the corral. Guides are always present to lend a hand with a heavy saddle and help out as needed.
Most people really enjoy this chance to get more involved, learn more, and relate to your horse in a different way.
Hands on horse work can take place after your ride, when you can unsaddle, brush and turn your horse loose back into the corral. Guides are always present to lend a hand with a heavy saddle and help out as needed.
Most people really enjoy this chance to get more involved, learn more, and relate to your horse in a different way.
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY PRACTICES ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AT ELKHORN RANCH
Horse safety and etiquette tips are provided in cabin notebooks and we strongly encourage guests to ask questions along the trail. Instruction is provided as needed and upon request, primarily on the trail.
All Elkhorn riders wear smooth sole boots with a heel and no lace (available to borrow); and all hats must have a safety string (also available to borrow).
Excessive sun exposure is a concern in the desert ~ use sunscreen, hats, lightweight long sleeves, and stay hydrated. Long underwear, tights or pantyhose and long socks are helpful in warding off saddle soreness.
CHILDREN MUST BE 6 OR OLDER TO RIDE
Horse safety and etiquette tips are provided in cabin notebooks and we strongly encourage guests to ask questions along the trail. Instruction is provided as needed and upon request, primarily on the trail.
All Elkhorn riders wear smooth sole boots with a heel and no lace (available to borrow); and all hats must have a safety string (also available to borrow).
Excessive sun exposure is a concern in the desert ~ use sunscreen, hats, lightweight long sleeves, and stay hydrated. Long underwear, tights or pantyhose and long socks are helpful in warding off saddle soreness.
CHILDREN MUST BE 6 OR OLDER TO RIDE
HELMETS
Elkhorn Ranch does not provide helmets, but encourages you to use one if makes you feel better about safety.
If you choose to use a riding helmet, purchase it from a knowledgeable dealer that works with you to assure proper sizing and adjustment. Monitor use of the helmet to assure that it has not been damaged in a fall. Choose a model with ventilation and as much sun protection as possible.
A water bottle, camera and a few personal items may be carried in small bags that hang over the saddlehorn.
A jacket may be tied on the back of the saddle ~ backpacks are not appropriate.
All rides are led by a guide who carries a radio and has first aid / CPR training. Instruction takes place primarily on the trail.
A water bottle, camera and a few personal items may be carried in small bags that hang over the saddlehorn. A jacket may be tied on the back of the saddle ~ backpacks are not appropriate. All rides are led by a guide who carries a radio and has first aid / CPR training. Instruction takes place primarily on the trail.
ALL RIDERS USE A MOUNTING BLOCK WITH A GUIDE ALONGSIDE FOR SAFETY AS YOU SETTLE INTO THE SADDLE
ALL RIDERS USE A MOUNTING BLOCK WITH A GUIDE ALONGSIDE FOR SAFETY AS YOU SETTLE INTO THE SADDLE
Ranch guides brush and saddle horses prior to the rides and check equipment safety again when riders mount
Ranch guides brush and saddle horses prior to the rides and check equipment safety again when riders mount
*Children must be 6 or older to ride.
*Out of respect to your horses, we have a 250 pound weight limit on all riders.
*All riders must wear a riding boot with a smooth sole, heel and no laces (exceptions granted only for medical purposes and with advance notice).
*Hats must have a safety string.
*Pregnant women are advised to check with their physician about riding pior to your Elkhorn visit. Elkhorn Ranch discourages riding during late-term pregnancy and does not allow loping at any time during pregnancy.
*Your safety while riding is very important to us. Please help Elkhorn Ranch guides keep you safe by reading the riding tips in your cabin notebook, ask questions as you go and pay attention to your guide, your horse and the other people and situation around you.
RIDING SCHEDULE
Morning rides depart at 9:30 AM
Afternoon rides* depart at 2 PM
(Half day rides range from 1.5 to 3 hours)
All day rides are offered two days a week, usually on Wednesday and Friday.
(All day rides range from 6 – 7 hours)
The Saturday picnic is a unique day where everyone rides (or hikes or drives) to a site in the desert to meet for lunch.
Sunday is the horses’ day off and most guests use Sunday as their travel day.
*Beginning in January, there is no riding on Thursday afternoon ~ a good day for fun around the ranch or a trip to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
*Children must be 6 or older to ride.
*Out of respect to your horses, we have a 250 pound weight limit on all riders.
*All riders must wear a riding boot with a smooth sole, heel and no laces (exceptions granted only for medical purposes and with advance notice).
*Hats must have a safety string.
*Pregnant women are advised to check with their physician about riding pior to your Elkhorn visit. Elkhorn Ranch discourages riding during late-term pregnancy and does not allow loping at any time during pregnancy.
*Your safety while riding is very important to us. Please help Elkhorn Ranch guides keep you safe by reading the riding tips in your cabin notebook, ask questions as you go and pay attention to your guide, your horse and the other people and situation around you.
RIDING SCHEDULE
Morning rides depart at 9:30 AM
Afternoon rides* depart at 2 PM
(Half day rides range from 1.5 to 3 hours)
All day rides are offered two days a week, usually on Wednesday and Friday.
(All day rides range from 6 – 7 hours)
The Saturday picnic is a unique day where everyone rides (or hikes or drives) to a site in the desert to meet for lunch.
Sunday is the horses’ day off and most guests use Sunday as their travel day.
*Beginning in January, there is no riding on Thursday afternoon ~ a good day for fun around the ranch or a trip to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
