Tips & Safety Policies
Fort Mountain Stables Policies and Tips
- Please call for appointments and ride times
- Arrive 30 minutes early to sign in and to get in the saddle
- If it is cool dress warm (you are in higher elevations with some shade). Blue jeans are recommended
- Boots are best as some shoes do not fit stirrups well (flip-flops and sandals are highly discouraged)
- No expensive jewelry
- Bring a camera
- Wear cheap sunglasses (if at all)
- Don't drink too much before a ride (we only have nature's wide open spaces on the trail)
- Jeans are best - not too tight though you may develop air condition when climbing on the horse
- Horses love to eat, but please DON'T let them. When tempted to feel sorry for them, THINK YELLOW JACKETS
- When you come to a low lying tree branch lean forward. A horse seems to find a way to not run its own head into a tree but think nothing of the rider's face!
- Remember: NEVER dismount from your horse without a guide to assist you. You will probably experience jell-o legs for a moment or two.
- Children 7 and older may ride.
- Everyone under 18 years old MUST wear helmets (we provide safety approved helmets)
- No double-back riding is permitted
RESERVATION POLICY: All reservations are made with credit cards. Reservations must be cancelled 24 hours prior to riding time. If reservations are not cancelled 24 hours in advance, and there is a no show, your credit card will be charged 50% of the reservation amount.
Reservations cancelled less than 12 hours in advance, and there is a no show, your credit card will be charged 100% of the reservation amount.
Tips from the Horses
- The nicer you are to us, the more we take advantage
- If you want to pet us, pet firmly. Barely touching us tickles, and we have no hands to use to scratch
- Please don't kick us and pull back on the reigns at the same time (it gives mixed signals)
- Please do not shake the reigns to make us go it only makes us mad. To make us move bring the reigns forward (loosening up on our mouth), give us a good kick and make a kissing noise. It makes us feel loved
- Please keep your weight in the stirrups it keeps our backs from hurting so badly
- Please do not tailgate on the trailkeep space between horses. Otherwise HORSE ROAD RAGE may occur! (You ever been tailgated?)
- We love to eat (but we are not hungry) so you be the boss. We sometimes don't think about the dangers of YELLOW JACKETS! Give a quick little tug to the reigns to get our attention and a good kick to the belly make those kissing noises (which helps us remember our jobs) and we will move along.
- We are not used to loud and piercing noises. Please do not scream. We don't understand and it hurts our ears.
Tips from the Horses
- Gratuity is never expected but ALWAYS appreciated
- Don't be afraid to ask for help, that is what we are here for
- Please arrive early for your ride. If you arrive late or right at the ride time, we get behind schedule and the horses do not get a break between the next rides.
- Just because you used to gallop back in the good ole day does not mean you should still be doing it.
- Please use extreme caution Remember to keep your weight in your stirrups not only does it help the horses but you will maintain better balance and less bum discomfort.
- Please leave your wallets in the vehicle. Guys have been known to lose them on the trail.
- If you want to lock your cars, you can leave your keys in the office.
- If you drop something on the trail please DO NOT dismount, call for the guide to assist you.
- Just remember, horseback riding is an extreme event. The horses are not robots but can think for themselves. You must be able to control your horse at all times.*** Now lets go have some fun!!! Giddy Up Yall
