Horse Riding Holidays in the United States

Why visit United States on horseback?

If you want to travel along the United States on horseback, there are several options of horse riding routes that are not very difficult, so even people with no experience in the equestrian world can join them.

There are riding programs that have different durations, like the possibility of choosing a one-day ride, or others that last several days, making stops in different places and towns, and lodging in charming hotels, country houses and even in very important historical places.

Not everything here has to do with cowboys and movie scenes. In the United States you can go horse riding in vast plains, or go up some mountain roads with several technical difficulties, go along dry river beds or gallop in endless sand deserts.

Do you like cowboys’ life style?

Live with them during a few days, they will show you how to manage an American cattle farm and you will learn that your horse is not only a means of transport or a work tool, the horse becomes your partner and your workmate, but also a playmate.

Some interesting facts about the United States

The United States, officially called the United States of America, is a sovereign country and a constitutional federal republic, made of fifty states and a federal district.

The United States is the world’s largest national economy by nominal GDP, which was estimated in 20,58 billion dollars in 2018 (one quarter of the nominal global GDP) and one fifth of global GDP by purchasing power parity.

Native Americans have been living in the current continental territory of the United States for thousands years. Their population was reduced by diseases and war after the first contact with Europeans.

Geography

Behind Russia and Canada, the contiguous United States is the world’s fourth largest country by total area (land and water), approximately 7,700,000 km²

Alaska is the largest state at 1,500,000 km². Hawaii, occupying an archipelago in the central Pacific, south west of North America, is approximately 16,000 km² in area.

The national territory has multiple topographical forms and geographical features. As you go inland, the coastal plain of the Atlantic seaboard gives way to deciduous forests and the rolling hills of the Piedmont. The Appalachian Mountains divide the eastern seaboard from the Great Lakes and the grasslands of the Midwest.

The Mississippi–Missouri River, the world’s fourth longest river system, flows from north to south through the middle of the country. The fertile lands of the Great Plains extend towards the west, until they are interrupted by a region of high lands in the southeast.

The Rocky Mountains, at the western edge of the Great Plains, extend north to south across the country, reaching altitudes higher than 4,300 m above sea level in Colorado.

Farther west are the rocky Great Basin and deserts, such as the Mojave, the Sonora and the Chihuahua.

The Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges run close to the Pacific coast. At an elevation of 6,194 m above sea level, Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest peak in the country and the whole continent.

Active volcanoes are common throughout Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Hawaii only consists of volcanic islands. The volcano underlying Yellowstone National Park in the Rockies is the continent´s largest volcanic feature.

Climate

With its large size and geographic variety, this country includes most climate types:

• To the east of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south.
• The southern tip of Florida and Hawaii are tropical.
• The Great Plains west of the 100th meridian are semi-arid.
• Much of the Western mountains have an alpine climate.
• In the Great Basin and in the deserts in the Southwest the climate is arid.
• In coastal California it's mediterranean.
• In coastal Oregon and Washington and southern Alaska it's oceanic.
• Most of Alaska is subarctic or polar.

Extreme weather is not uncommon – the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico are prone to hurricanes, and most of the world’s tornadoes occur in the country, mainly in Tornado Alley areas in the Midwest and South.

Flora and Fauna

The United States is considered a megadiverse country: about 17,000 species of vascular plants occur in the contiguous United States and Alaska, and over 1,800 species of flowering plants are found in Hawaii, few of which occur on the mainland.

The United States is home to more than 400 mammal species, 750 bird species, and 500 reptile and amphibian species.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is intended to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats, which are monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. There are fifty eight national parks and hundreds of federally managed parks.

Equestrian tourism in the USA

If you want to practice Equestrian Tourism in the USA, there are places with the best riding holiday outfitters that we shouldn’t miss.

Ampascachi has selected some riding holiday outfitters that should be taken into consideration. Some of them are listed below together with a brief description of the area that we recommend visiting in the USA.

Montana: “Crown of the Continent”

Horse riding in this state is the best way to discover, learn and enjoy the lifestyle of the Old West.

With a population of only one million people, Montana is still a natural and pristine paradise, with snow-covered peaks, immense forests and alpine lakes, dotted with ghost towns of the Old West, Native American reservations and progressive urban communities.

Here we can appreciate the unique charm and beauty of Montana’s National Parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, where we can come face to face with its wildlife, although they are not the only ones. In fact, Montana has nine National Park areas in all.

Suppliers selected by Ampascachi in Montana

• ROCKING Z GUEST RANCH ( www.rockingz.com )
• HIDDEN HOLLOW HIDEAWAY ( www.flynnhideaway.com )

Arizona: “The Grand Canyon State”

To ride across desert trails and visit the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is the way to get to the Heart of Arizona.

In Arizona, horses play a key role and the popular Southern American Cowboy lives here and you are invited to spend a few days with him.

Arizona is full of activities, ranging from outdoor adventures to relaxed explorations. With so many things to see, you can certainly not do everything in one single trip.

An endless adventure is waiting for you, it is a perfect place to enjoy life outdoors. This region is known as the “Far West” and we have seen in thousands of movies.

Riding holiday outfitters in Arizona

We selected the following suppliers:

• WHITE STALLION RANCH ( www.whitestallion.com )
• ARIZONA HACIENDA RANCH ( https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/usa/arizona_hacienda_ranch/)
• RANCHO DE LOS CABALLEROS ( www.ranchodeloscaballeros.com )
• TOMBSTONE MONUMENT RANCH ARIZONA ( www.tombstonemonumentranch.com )
• TANQUE VERDE ( www.tanqueverderanch.com )

Wyoming

While you travel on horseback along this Cowboy State you can stay in some of its famous Ranches and join their daily activities.

Learning these cowboys’ routines will give you another insight into of the word “mate”, when you see the bond between horses and riders in this place.

Even though it hasn’t been entirely discovered by foreign tourists, Wyoming is everything but the “world’s end”, as a writer once called it.

Although the geography of the state includes mainly open plains, stripes of high deserts and wide mountain ranges, it also has many small towns full of places to visit, such as historical buildings, museums, shops and restaurants.

Tourist attractions in Wyoming include the country’s first national park, Yellowstone, Native American reservations and a handful of ghost towns.

Riding holiday outfitters in Wyoming

Our recommendation in Wyoming for your horse riding holidays:

• BITTERROOT RANCH ( www.bitterrootranch.com )
• THE HIDEOUT LODGE & GUEST RANCH ( https://thehideout.com )
• GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH ( www.grosventreriverranch.com )

Colorado, “Diversity of natural ecosystems”

Discover its pristine nature on horseback, an opportunity to explore this part of the Northern country that is still untouched and wild.

Colorado has several ski resorts, vineyards, canyons, national parks rich in fossils, natural and steep trails, and particularly colourful and picturesque itineraries.

It could be said that the greatest attraction, among many other natural wonders in Colorado, is Mount Elbert, the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America.

The natural beauty of this state inspired the first lyrics of “America the Beautiful”, a song that was performed by some of the best American singers, including Frank Sinatra.

Riding holiday outfitters in Colorado

Ampascachi offers you here some highly recommendable options:

• SNOWMASS CREEK OUTFITTERS ( www.snowmasscreekoutfitters.com )
• ACTION ADVENTURES TRAIL RIDES ( https://ride.actionadventures.net )
• GRANITE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS (www.granitemountainoutfitters.com )

Washington

In Washington you will find several riding options, with athletic and well-trained horses, as well as experienced wranglers and stunning trails.

Here time passes more slowly when you're on horseback. If you let yourself go to the rhythm of your travelling companion, the horse, you will be able to enjoy this experience with all your senses.

Washington is a state with two different faces. The Cascade Mountain divides its landscape into two zones: humid forested areas to the west and fertile agricultural lands to the east.

Named after the country’s first president, Washington is the second most populous state of the Western United States. Approximately 60% of Washington’s residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area, one of the most popular tourist destinations of the state.

Washington has a leading position in the production of wine, timber, apples, hops, pears and potatoes. It makes a great contribution to the nation´s manufacturing industry.

Riding holiday outfitters in Washington

Ampascachi has selected the following equestrian tourism outfitters:

• BULL HILL RANCH ( https://bullhill.com )
• K DIAMOND K GUEST RANCH ( www.k-diamond-k.com )

New Mexico

Discover the Old West while travelling on horseback to explore the outlaw trails of Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, or the canyons where the Apache warrior Geronimo lived in the 19th century.

New Mexico is a land of contrasts, distinctive regional food and a thriving artistic scene in permanent evolution. Cosmopolitan urban centres and a wide range of untouched landscapes which are still uninhabited today.

New Mexico was a Spanish colony claimed by the 16th century conquistadors. Today it is still the home of a big Spanish-speaking population and many historical places to visit.

In this state, there are also several Native American communities that have a traditional way of life that has inevitably been lost in most of the other states.

With its vast expanse of land that is scarcely populated, this state is a great holiday destination for those who wish to discover one of the last truly wild regions of the world, dotted with a few old little towns and century-old, mission churches.

Riding holiday outfitters in New Mexico

Ampascachi in the state of New Mexico recommends:

• BURNT WELL GUEST RANCH ( https://burntwellguestranch.com )
• GERONIMO TRAIL GUEST RANCH ( https://geronimoranch.com )
• CREEK RANCH ( www.creek-ranch.com )

Idaho, “Gem of the Mountains”

Horse riding holidays in Idaho will take you across a rough land on horseback.

The Rocky Mountains run through Idaho. This state stands out because of its unexplored, vast territories of wild nature and great mineral richness. Of its total extension, 7 % was declared natural area, where cougars and bears live.

It has a population of 1,567,000 inhabitants, 11.5% of them come from Hispanic or Latin nations. Koorenais, Shoshones, and Delavares live on Indian reservations.

It has a warm and windy climate, with continental areas that are drier and colder. Its varied topography is another outstanding feature.

Riding holiday outfitters in Idaho

Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays suggests:

• RED HORSE MOUNTAIN RANCH ( https://redhorsemountainranch.com )
• IDAHO ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANCH ( https://idahorocky.com )
• WESTERN PLEASURE GUEST RANCH ( https://westernpleasureranch.com )

California, “The Land of the Sun”

California, known as the “Golden State”, is the perfect destination if you are looking for a sunny place all year round and want to explore beaches, deserts and mountains on horseback.

It is the most populous state in the country and its landscapes range from the wooded northern coast to the harsh deserts of the south. Right in the middle of the state, there is a fertile valley with farms, vineyards and orchards.

California is home to large sequoia forests, deserts (including the popular Death Valley), coastal extensive fields and mountain ranges such as the Cascade, the Tehachapi and Sierra Nevada mountains.

Cities in California have a lot to offer, such as amusement parks and luxury shops, prize-winning restaurants and innovative art galleries.

California has one of the world’s largest economies, and it has a top-level hotel and tourist service infrastructure. And here, Equestrian Tourism is not the exception.

Riding holiday outfitters in California

• THE ALISAL RANCH ( https://alisal.com )
• RANKIN RANCH ( www.rankinranch.com )
• MARBLE MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH ( www.marblemountainranch.com )

Nebraska

Endless number of trails that can be travelled on horseback will make us feel that we were part of the great mobilization of adventurers that was caused by the Gold Rush.

Located in the heart of America, Nebraska is home to a great number of small rural communities and agricultural farmlands.

Its two main cities, Omaha and Lincoln, are of great cultural interest. Your itinerary may include a visit to city museums to learn about the state’s history, or visits to the most important places f local pioneers and Native Americans.

Its central country location draws many to walk its trails, but the Gold Rush in California (1848-1855) was the reason why a lot of white people came to this place.

The colourful river valleys offer several opportunities to practice different outdoor activities in your vacations, and horse riding is not the exception, while Nebraska’s farming towns attract visitors with their American spirit.

Riding holiday outfitters in Nebraska

Here we recommend visiting and staying at:

• RUNNING HORSE RANCH ( www.runninghorseranchabq.com )
• ROWSE'S 1+1 RANCH ( https://1plus1ranch.com )
• DOUBLE R GUEST RANCH ( www.sandhilldoublerranch.com )

Texas

Enjoy an equestrian vacation visiting Texas ranches and riding through the second largest state in the United States. An unforgettable experience.

Thanks to its dimension and geological features, Texas has different landscapes that are very similar to those of southern and southwestern United States.

Although most people associate Texas with arid regions, deserts represent only 10% of the state’s total expanse and most of its big populated areas are located in places that were once covered by meadows, pastures and woods.

As you travel from one end to the other in Texas, observe the different terrains, ranging from coastal pine woods and marshes in the east to mountains in the west, with rolling meadows and steeps hills in the centre.

And when you are here, take your time to mingle with locals, who are famous for their hospitality, generosity and fiercely independent spirit.

Riding holiday outfitters in Texas

• TEXAS RANCH LIFE ( www.texasranchlife.com )
• HILL COUNTRY EQUESTRIAN LODGE ( www.hillcountryequestlodge.com )
• ROCKING L GUEST RANCH ( www.rockinglranch.com )