Horseback Riding
Riding horses is the highlight of a ranch holiday and we have a beautiful, well-loved and responsive herd available to suit your experience, whether you're trying horseback riding for the first time or are a seasoned horseman or woman. You'll be treated to your own horse for the duration of your stay, with extra care taken in giving you a mount that matches your abilities and personality.
Our horse program is one-of-a-kind, remarkably enlightening, and unlike any other offered in all the ranches of North America. We give you a highly personalized experience, where you can learn as much about dealing with horses and riding as you wish.
We gauge it for each individual guest—some are keen and want to learn everything possible during their stay here, others would rather mount up and get going down the trail. It's your holiday, so we'll adjust to your needs, beginner through advanced.
Our horses are magical, gentle creatures. They are happy and healthy; calm and eager to please, for we keep them naturally, allowing the herd to graze freely together in wild pastures every evening. The process we go through at Siwash to help our guests connect with their horses is incredibly special, very empowering and completely opposite to many other ranches where you line up and then are handed the reins like the keys to a rental vehicle.
With our program, you and your horse will be spending much quality time together while you're at the ranch. We believe that the best way for you to become comfortable with your new friend is to take part in the daily care of the animal. You'll be taught basic horse care and how to saddle your own horse each morning.
Right after breakfast, you'll groom, clean the feet and tack up your mount. And when you return to the barn at day's end, you can give your mare or gelding a well-deserved brush down and some of our home-made horse treats. Most people catch on right away and enjoy this special opportunity and the extra time to bond with their horse.
Spend your first day, one-on-one with the ranch owners and hosts, learning the lay of the land and natural western horsemanship. Wilderness tips will be on the agenda, too.
After this orientation process, and a few fabulous discovery rides, you can continue riding as little or as much as you like for the rest of your stay—on miles of trails that meander out from the ranch through 80,000 acres of pristine range land.
Pine laden paths lead through sun dappled aspen groves, old growth forests that stand in silent splendour and enchanting wild flower meadows. Explore waterfalls in a hidden river canyon, search through an old homestead, or check on the ranch cattle.
A guide is always available for small group rides (maximum 6 guests) where the route and duration of ride will be in accordance with guests' wishes—with no boring nose-to-tail rides! A typical morning or afternoon's ride can be one hour to two-and-a-half hours in duration.
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One of Siwash’s most famous features is that after some introductory riding with a guide, and by demonstrating a basic understanding of the wilderness setting, accomplished riders may ride on their own, unescorted if they choose.
All guests will have the pleasure of personal instruction. First-time riders and those with less experience will be encouraged to move at their own pace. They as well, might soon find the freedom to ride without a guide.
Unlike many ranches that only allow walking rides, everyone at Siwash is welcome to progress from walking to trotting and loping (cantering) their horses.
You can have a private day exploring on your own or take one of our special guided trips—ride down to the Bonaparte river for a picnic lunch with some fishing and swimming, or ride to Copper Bluffs, our favourite mountain trail, for a spectacular, panoramic view of the entire range.
Riders are welcome to take a break at any time. Relax with your horse on a sunny knoll and delight in the honeyed scent of clover—carried on a breeze so soft, it caresses your skin.
Nature's symphony is all around. Hear the call of a loon, the howl of a coyote, or the gentle hum of gossamer-winged dragon flies buzzing by.
On cooler spring and fall days, we'll often stop along the trail and build a campfire. Inhale the delicious scent of saddle leather mingled with wood smoke and meditate in the quiet serenity of a secluded, backcountry lake.Each guest will be given saddle bags for their horse in which to carry a water bottle, camera, spare clothing, sun screen and so forth. A delicious picnic lunch will be provided if you choose to roam the range all day.
Siwash Lake Ranch guides are some of the world's best. They are renowned for their integrity and attention to detail, and specially trained to deliver a first-class outdoor adventure experience.
They are easy-going, friendly professionals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge of working with animals and interpreting the wild flora, fauna and terrain for our guests. Your safety and comfort is their primary concern.
Indulge in as soft or as rigorous an adventure as you please, for we gear the intensity and duration of a ride to match individual preference, skill, fitness level and age.
Children who demonstrate an ability to safely control their own horse are welcome to ride the trails with their parents. Those children needing more practice can be led around the barn area and home meadow when the opportunity arises. Otherwise, parents may enjoy riding time while their kids are happily playing back at the ranch, under the care of our children's counsellor. (see Free-Range kids).
