Hobby

For those who want to go horseback riding but don’t have their own horses, rental is a viable option. You can rent horses to ride for a day or even just a few hours. Where do you find rental horses, and what is required in renting one?

Depending on your rental source, you may be required to be a certain age or size to ride a rental horse alone. Small children may be required to share a horse with a guardian because they may be too young or small to exert proper control over a horse. Whether or not you can go out on your own with the horses without a guide depends on the policy of the facility. There is no standard, but in most places, renting a horse also includes having a guide lead you down specifically designated trails.

You can rent horses from entertainment facilities. There are ranches designated for rentals that specialize in training horses to carry you through forested or mountain areas for a tour. There are also dude ranches that rent horses to visitors so they can experience “life on the ranch”. Some farmers and ranchers will let you rent a horse from their stable so they can bring in a little extra profit and exercise the horse at the same time. However, beware of these operations, as these horses are not specifically trained for inexperienced horseback riders. If you have ridden a lot in the past, this may be okay to try.

The cost of renting a horse varies with location, service, and amount of time you wish to retain the horse. A few hours will typically cost less than a full day’s rental. You will also have to consider the cost involved in having a guide. Whatever you choose to do, shop around for the best price, highest safety margin, and the facility that best cares for their horses.