With Oregon’s ranching traditions spanning over 150 years in a large part of the state, horses are a part of life for many. Visitors can take a relaxed ride into Oregon history by saddling up to traverse the state’s countryside on trails spanning mountains to meadows, forests to the Coast and even vineyards. Whether you’re a complete novice at horseback riding or ready for the pro-rodeo tour, here are some tips to book a ride that’s right for you.
Ranch Stays With Rides
The Stables at Black Butte Ranch resort near Bend in Central Oregon provide visitors a chance to saunter, trot or lope through the ranch and adjacent Deschutes National Forest. You’ll ride through scenic settings changing from forest trails to wide-open meadows, across pretty stream crossings and up trails into the foothills on a two-hour journey. Wranglers like Liza Grim add expert knowledge with stories of the ranching history of the area, as well as highlighting natural features and the habits of horses. Guests and day-users can also take half-day trips up into the Cascades for lunch or do kids’ rides in the corral. Outings run spring through autumn, with trails particularly resplendent during peak fall foliage times in September and October.
Riding fans should, by all means, attend the nearby Sisters Rodeo the second weekend in June, a longtime attraction that brings world-champion riders for the competitions.
The luxury Brasada Ranch property near Bend offers horseback options to visitors year-round. The rides range from basic beginners’ treks and kids as young as 5 ponying up in a corral to hour-long trail outings across the 900-acre property and farther afield on a longer ride for epic views of the surrounding mountains.
Audition for a future cowboy or cowgirl job in Brasada’s Day in the Life of a Wrangler experience, where — with the help of experts — you’re tasked with rounding up grazing horses in the morning, then feeding, grooming and saddling them in an hour-long experience. You’ll be rewarded at campfire with hot cocoa or coffee. Or skip the work and take a three-hour Trail & Treats excursion to scenic Spirit Rock for a view of snowcapped mountains paired with freshly toasted s’mores.
Luxury Golf Resort and Wine-Country Trails
In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, don’t just sit and sip the wines — ride through the vineyards. Equestrian Wine Tours, based in Carlton, offers four-hour ride-and-wine-tasting experiences on horses trained to safely lead you and your posse about 6 miles to three different wineries. You’ll feel like an old-time vineyard manager riding between rows of grapes in the Dundee Hills on your trusty steed. Trips run throughout the year.
“It’s great showing people the beautiful views and taking them to these small boutique wineries that they probably would never have tasted at,” says lead wrangler Sarah Ann Hahn. “But the horses are where it’s at for me. I love it when people get to meet these guys — they’ll fall in love with them!”
Silvies Valley Ranch, a 150,000-acre working cattle ranch near Seneca in Eastern Oregon, is home to the Retreat at Silvies, a luxury golf resort, spa and outdoor activities center with horseback riding. The fancy barn is decorated with elk-antler chandeliers, detailed ironwork and custom saddles. Guests and day visitors can tour the extensive wide-open ranch landscape on two-hour trail rides where you can spot deer, antelope and soaring ospreys. Don’t miss a ride in a giant red wagon pulled by two massive Clydesdale horses, or go on an excursion to walk and herd goats.
Scenic Rides in High Desert and Ocean Sands
You’ll really feel like you’re in a classic Western movie horseback riding with Smith Rock Trail Rides near Terrebonne in Central Oregon’s high-desert region. Open seasonally from spring to fall depending on weather, you’ll mosey out near the towering rock faces and dramatic valleys of Smith Rock State Park. In fact, John Wayne himself wrangled some horses and battled bad guys in the same area for his 1975 film “Rooster Cogburn.”
At Smith Rock Trail Rides, longtime professional horseman Brian Thomas guides small groups of all skill levels on trail rides through this dramatic scenery. Brian’s wife, Melanie, leads alpaca walks and experiences for fans of the friendly, furry creatures.
There’s something special about riding horses along a beach, waves hitting the shore as the horses’ hooves softly thud into the sand, salty wind in your hair, and an unbroken vista of the Oregon Coast in front of and behind you. C&M Stables in Florence offers all this and more. Guided by knowledgeable wranglers, you can ride gentle trails across forested dunes and wetlands to reach the beach. Advanced riders can gallop on the sands during a faster-paced tour, but even complete beginners are welcome to join the carefully managed trail rides. Sunset rides (only available in July and August) are a special treat with guide leaders who know all the best angles to take photos of you.
