@itwtrailrides:

Preparing for Your Ride

It is important that you prepare for your ride as you would for any other outdoor activity. Horseback riding is great exercise, as well as a fun way to spend the day. Even if the horse is only walking, you will likely burn between 236 and 372 calories per hour. Of course, the amount of calories expended by each individual is influenced by many factors, including body weight, intensity of activity, conditioning level and metabolism.

We use Australian saddles, which are a cross between English and Western saddle design. Each saddle has extra padding to make even the most inexperienced (or rusty) riders feel comfortable. Our saddles also all have knee-stops (a standard feature on Aussie saddles) to help you stay in correct position, which also helps decrease discomfort during and after the ride. All riders will have a saddle bag, which straddles the front of the saddle or attaches to the rear, for keeping personal items (like that water bottle and snack, a camera, car keys and wallet, etc.).

We generally ride even if there are light rain showers, as most of the trail is forested. Checking the weather is a good idea, however, so you know how to dress. If you have questions or concerns about the weather and its possible impact on your riding appointment, please give us a call.

Here are some things you should (and should not) do or bring to make sure your experience with us is as fun and comfortable as possible:

DO:

  • Wear layers of clothing. You’ll enjoy the ride more if you’re not too hot or too cool.
  • Wear long pants, preferably jeans that do not have a heavy inner seam. This will protect your legs from chafing on the saddle.
  • Consider a shirt with long sleeves to protect your skin from sunburn.
  • If possible, wear sturdy shoes or boots with at least a 1/2 inch heel (the heel will keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup and getting caught).
  • Wear a hat (of any type…the horses don’t mind!) if you like. You can also borrow a riding helmet from us.
  • Apply sunscreen to exposed skin, even if it’s a cloudy day!
  • Insect repellent is also a good idea, no matter what the season.
  • Bring a water bottle or other drink–even when the weather is cool, your body needs hydration! Non-breakable containers are best!
  • Bring food–portable and easily eaten one-handed–especially if you’re on a long ride. Granola bars, cheese sticks, trail mix and nuts are popular choices.
  • Visit the restroom before you arrive at the staging area. There are no dependable restroom facilities there and we do not go through the horse camp itself (which does have pit toilets). There may be porta-potties in Gates when you turn off Hwy 22 and many of the local merchants along the highway in Mill City and Gates have public restrooms.

DON'T:

  • Wear shorts, capri pants or skirts–your legs are probably not used to the friction caused by the leather of the saddle.
  • Wear bathing suits (even bikini tops) or other similar clothing. Sunburn and bug bites are not the memories you want!
  • Ride in open toed shoes (including sandals, flip-flops etc.)
  • Bring fire arms, knives, fireworks or other explosives along with you.
  • Bring a cell phone, except to use as a camera. Service is not dependable and you’ll be having too much fun to call or text anyone.
  • Use alcohol or other substances before you arrive or during the ride. Your horse weighs between 900 and 2200 lbs–you’ll want to be sober and clear-headed so you can maintain control. The other option is to allow a large animal with the attention span of a 3-year old child to be in charge. We recommend you keep the role of “team leader.”
  • Smoke anywhere along the trail or in the parking lot. Forest fires are common in this area, especially as the summer progresses.
  • Bring dogs or other animals with you. They’re not allowed on the ride with us and it’s not safe (or humane) to leave them in your car in the parking lot.
  • Leave wrappers, empty drink containers and other trash on the trail! We follow the “Leave No Trace” philosophy–the only thing that should be left on the trail are hoofprints (and possibly some horse manure).

After Your Ride

After your ride, you’ll likely be hungry! We’re fortunate to have several restaurants and cafes nearby which we can recommend. There are also convenience stores and grocery stores along the way. Just ask–your guide will be glad to help you find the right place!

Please consider posting comments about or photos of your trail ride on our Facebook page, tweeting your followers to let them know what a great time you had and writing a review of your experience on our Yelp page.  The highest compliment we can receive is your return business and recommendation to others and we work hard to make that possible. If your experience was not as positive as you expected, please let us know immediately and give us the opportunity to correct the problem if we can (this IS Western Oregon, however…and we have no control over the weather!).

Be sure to sign up for our email list to stay informed of “return customer” specials and periodic announcements about the horses and new features we’re adding to the business. We will keep your contact information confidential and will never sell or otherwise release it to anyone. In short, we treat our mailing list members as we want to be treated as customers ourselves!

The entire ITW team–human and equine–look forward to seeing you again! Let us know when you want to go Into The Wild with us again!