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Reservations

1. Is there a weight limit for riders?

• We have horses for all weights, including large horses for large people!

2. How old do you have to be to ride your own horse

• We ask that the children be of school age and able to follow directions.

3. Do you accept checks?

• No. Sorry about that; after 24 years of accepting checks we now only accept cash, and most credit cards. Even if you plan to pay with cash, when you make your reservation, as a guarantee that you will honor it, we will ask for your credit card number. This card information will only be used if  you fail to show for your reserved ride.  

4. Chuckwagon Supper.

• Our evening ride guests often attend an outdoor cookout which is offered by the Yellowstone KOA with the main menu being sirloin steak or a half-rack of ribs.  The cookout is located quite near the ranch.  No reservations are required. We do not provide transportation to the cookout. The Halo Ranch Outfitters team up with the chefs from the Bar-N-Ranch to provide a horseback/dinner ride.

5. What if we have never ridden before?

• Before every ride, our wranglers and guides teach a basic horsemanship and safety course.  At this time we try to determine a guest’s level of ability.  Using this determination, we then match our guests with the appropriate horses.

6. What about the weather?

• We are located just 2 miles from the Continental Divide; the weather can change very suddenly.  A clear sunny sky can be replaced with a rainstorm in less than 30 minutes--and vice versa.  Because of extreme situations, we do have quite a few "loaner" jackets and we do ride in the rain and snow! If you have a coat; bring it. 

7. Can we take snacks on the Half Day Rides?

• Yes, on the warmer days we encourage you to bring a drink, with a string attached, and tie it to your saddle horn.  However, we ask that you not leave any residue on the forest floor; we "want to leave no tracks"!

8. If a child is old enough to have their own horse, but are afraid to ride by themselves, can they ride with an adult?

• Our goal is to provide an enjoyable experience for everyone.  In order for a child to ride with an adult the child must set in front of the adult, in the saddle; by the same token, the adult must also remain in the saddle! Although the comfort of both riders is reduced, this can be done up until about 50 pounds. (Riding behind a saddle for an extended period of time will hurt a horse's back!) 
  
• There have been occasions, at the last minute, when a child who planned to ride has become terrified.  Rather than spend a lot of time telling the youngster, "You're not afraid!", or "There is nothing to be afraid of!” our wranglers and guides will simply mount everyone else, ignoring the child with the anxiety.  The guides will also ask the rest of the group to also ignore the child and allow the youngster to think that they surely will be left behind. (they won't be) As the mounted group lines up to leave the corral, the child's saddled horse will be placed right behind the adult that the child is "begging" to ride with. Nearly always, as the group starts to leave, a child's fear switches from "having to ride a horse" to "getting left behind"! At this point, in most cases, the child will reluctantly allow the guide to boost them onto their horse and  invariably, for the rest of the ride, the child will be in Seventh Heaven! If the fearful child has accepted getting left behind, and after the group has left the corral, one of the wranglers will stop the group and tell them (for the child's benefit) that he has decided to let the child ride with the adult for a ways.  The child will then be placed on the horse with the adult (they will both be uncomfortable) and within a half mile or so the child will decide to go ahead and ride their own horse!  In twenty three years, we have never had a horse leave the corral without a rider and come back without a rider; after a short time on the trail, the child always chooses to ride!
  
• Even though they are a lot more bother, you will still only be required to pay the regular fee for the child. NOTE: The adult should never indicate, at any time, that he or she will not go if the child doesn't!
  
• If the horse has been reserved, that means the ranch could not give  the horse to another person wanting reservations, therefore even though someone chooses to "back out", they will still be expected to pay for the ride.

9. Can individuals ride double?

• No!

10. Can children old enough to ride by themselves, go the ride without an adult?

• No, they must be accompanied, and have a release form signed, by someone who is 18 years of age or older.

11. What time should we be there?

• There are things to look at and things to do like roping a dummy steer or visiting with others who are here to ride.  Although not required, it won't hurt to be a half hour early!

12. What about gratuities?

• Tipping, although much appreciated, is not mandatory but the price of the ride does not include gratuities.  Your guide will strive to give you a great experience.

13. Do you have memento photos?

• We have lots of genuine cowboy hats, chaps, and lariats.  For those who request it, we have the facilities to professionally photograph you while dressed in this genuine cowboy attire, posing or standing beside your horses. We can develop the photos by the time you get back from your ride.

14. Do we pay before or after the ride?

• Your certified guide will collect the fees after you get back from the guided mountain rides; this payment will be by  cash, or credit cards.
• Large groups including church groups, business staff groups, travel tours, etc. will be paid for in advance by credit card.  Often times, when rides are paid for by someone else, the riders whose rides have been paid for do not feel it's important to notify anyone if they make other plans.  For large groups, there will be no refunds after a 48 hour time period.

15. May we stop and take pictures?

• Yes, by all means!  In this day and age of digital cameras, we expect riders to take lots of casual pictures as we travel. However, horses do not like to be left out and if they think they are being left behind, they will become very nervous. Therefore, if you are in a situation, or an area in which you would like to stop to take a picture just let your guide know and he will be happy to stop; in fact, if you wish, he will eagerly take pictures for you, with you in them.  This can be done over and over; don't hesitate to ask. (we are not running in a time frame)
• Trying to stop by yourself to take a picture is bad for two reasons; 1) Your horse will "dance and prance" trying to get back with the group and consequently your photo will not be the quality you want. 2) You might get hurt as your horse strives to rejoin the group!

16. Do we need to send our payment ahead of time?

• No. Over the years we have found the equestrian public to be very responsible people.  We know things come up at the last minute and plans need to be changed, especially where family groups are concerned.  We ask, as a courtesy, that you notify us as soon as possible if your plans change so we can give your horse to someone else, or find extra horses if you have additional riders.

17. Are we allowed to ride where ever we want to?

• Yes. After leaving the corral area, your guide will stop and allow riders to change their locations.  This can be done as often as you want during the entire ride; you do not have "assigned seats". However, for safety purposes we ask you not to break away from the group, or attempt to pass another horse while traveling.  (Horses have a "pecking order" and might kick at, or run from, another horse who is trying to pass)

18. May we run our horses?

• No!  Our horses are not the sleepy, fat horses that are frequently found in commercial type riding situations.  Most of our horses are either ranch horses, or semi-retired professional horses.  Many of these horses have been previously owned by professional calf ropers, team ropers, steer wrestlers, and barrel racers.  We have found that these horses, after slowing just a little, and no longer winning in professional competition, are still valuable trail horses; these horses are still competitive and far superior to ordinary saddle horses. Although our professional rodeo horses are now working in a slower environment, their speed and agility is still there; they are used in the mountains every day and their physical condition is similar to that of a race horse being used on the track! With these factors in mind, running our horses can be dangerous; not only for the person who is allowing their horse to run, but for the person who is riding another horse that instinctively wants to compete with the running horse!
• Our meadows are home to many burrowing animals such as rock chucks, wolverines, and badgers; they burrow in the soil leaving holes that running horses could step in and break legs! If you want to run your horse, go to one of the  businesses that have the fat, sleepy, horses; you'll actually have to work to make them trot!

19. Is there a time that the ranch gates will be locked?

• Yes. If you plan to attend the rodeo after the evening ride you will need to re-park your vehicle near the rodeo arena.  The rodeo location is on the south side of Highway 20 just a mile from the ranch.

 20. Do we sign release forms?

• Yes, release forms will be signed by everyone.  Anyone who pays for someone else besides themselves will sign a release form as the responsible party but the riders who are being paid for will also sign the back of the same release form.

21. What is the appropriate clothing?

• This completely depends on the individual.  ideally you should have pointed, leather soled cowboy boots, a long sleeved shirt, denim jeans, chaps, broad brimmed hat and light leather gloves; of course this is not practical!  Nearly everyone will be wearing their "tenny runners", and that's fine; just don't jam them into your stirrups! We insist that you only insert your shoes far enough in the stirrup to allow you to step out without catching  your shoe.
• Some people will wear shorts, which is all right as long as you are prepared to receive a scratch or two as you travel along the trails. You probably won't need a hat, except for looks;  but it still wouldn't hurt to rub on some sun-tan lotion.
•  If the weather is questionable, a jacket or rain coat would be recommended.

22. How fast a pace will we be traveling?

• That is the group's choice.  Ordinarily, our rate of travel is quite brisk; if the group wants to slow down, all they need to do is notify the guide.  This fluctuation in the travel rate can take place at any time but we try to proceed at a casual, constant pace. (we don't want to excite the surrounding livestock or start a horse race)

24. How much time do we spend in the saddle?

• This all depends on the group.  Some groups take longer to mount than others, some groups want to travel faster and further than others, and some groups want to take short cuts and reduce the amount of time in the saddle.
•  Remember, we do not charge by the hour; we're just trying to make this a great experience for you! The time it takes to participate in the horsemanship demonstration, mount the horses, and adjust each rider's stirrups is included in the overall time frame.