There is an endless variety of trails and adventures at Vista Verde. Ride on horseback through the untamed wilderness wonderland.

The Vista Verde Riding Program offers fun-filled, informative activities with a touch of adventure that accommodates all riding levels. With a remuda of over 80 horses, we match each guest’s personality with the perfect “horse-anality” to get you off on the right hoof, ‘er foot. Our riding program is about much more than beautiful trail rides. Even those who have ridden all their lives have been known to learn or experience something new while at VVR.

The Vista Verde ranch is nestled into the Hinman Park, which is almost entirely bordered by the Routt National Forrest. Consequently, our access to trails and terrain is virtually unlimited. See breathtaking views of the Continental Divide atop Wapiti Mountain or dangle your feet in Hinman creek after you’ve reached Sheep camp. Explore the depths of Hole-in-the-Wall Canyon or take a run along Scott’s Run. Come across secluded, serene Hinman Lake or the unexpected work of nature at the Cliffs.

Most days we have rides going out in the morning and afternoon, but we also go on an early morning breakfast ride and an evening dinner ride once a week. For those who really want to put some solid time in the saddle we offer an all day ride with a picnic lunch at destinations like Pearl Lake or the South Fork of the Elk River. Rides are limited to 2-6 rides so each adventure can be tailored to your riding ability. We encourage family rides, but keep in mind the rides will be geared towards the most inexperienced rider. So if you want to go on a more challenging ride, we will pair you with other riders with the same interest and riding level.

For those who demonstrate good control at the walk and trot, we do move out on the trails when the terrain is appropriate. We are very safety conscious since we’ve seen it all, and also pay close attention to how the horses are feeling each day so as to not wear them out, keeping them fresh for you all week.

There are plenty of opportunities for more advanced and faster riding here at VVR. We have a lot of fun with these amazing creatures and our wranglers keep things lively all week long with adventurous bushwhacking rides and games that get the horses out of the normal nose to tail riding style. That makes it more fun for them and you!

Everyday at the ranch offers a different and interesting clinic that can be great learning experiences for novices and experts alike. We’ve developed a variety of different clinics to explore the different aspects of horsemanship, and all suitable to all riding levels. Following are descriptions of some of the various clinics we offer at the ranch. The Balance and Rhythm Clinic offers in-depth instruction on correct body position in the saddle and at the walk, trot and lope. This clinic helps you learn how to move in sync with your horse for a smoother, more comfortable ride. Your body will thank you for this clinic all week on the trail.

The Driving Clinic could well be unique to the ranch. Learn how to drive a single horse, a team of two, and a team of four horses using our custom-made driver-training device. Once we cover the basics, you’ll have a chance to drive a real team of draft horses using your new found teamster skills.

Three other popular clinics are offered midweek on a day when the horses take a break from the trail riding. The Round Pen Reasoning focuses on natural horsemanship techniques and offers the guest a chance to learn to communicate with their horses from the ground, using body positioning and basic understanding of horse behavior. The Colt Starting Clinic is a demonstration of how to start a young horse under saddle. We also have our resident “Horse Whisperer,” Orval Bedell, who may not be as good looking as Robert Redford, but knows a bit more about horsemanship, we’d wager. His clinic is a favorite, and puts your riding skills to work sorting steers after learning some basic techniques in the round pen.

These fun clinics offer a wealth of instruction and information that will benefit any level of rider while boosting your confidence and ability on the trail. Your newly developed skills may even give you an advantage in the team penning “competition” later in the week! Individual lessons are available almost any day as well. You’ll find that each wrangler has his or her own teaching style and background and that allows each of them to give you a different perspective on improving your skills.

What’s that I hear? Is it a cattle call? These past summers here at the ranch we’ve heard a lot of whoopin’ and hollerin’ as greenhorns try their hands at rounding up cattle. We’ve taken notice of how many people find the task of maneuvering these supposedly “dumb” animals as one of the most challenging and fun highlights of their stay. You'll soon learn to appreciate how cattle work- fun and exercise in itself- is also beneficial to riding and horsemanship skills.

In addition to working with the steers in the arena, we leave the dust of the arena behind and head out into the lush meadows and fragrant sage flats to raise the challenge bar. Some of the skills our guest will get to master err…, practice, will include moving an entire heard from one pasture to the next as well as singling out one or two steers away from the heard. That all sounds simple, but you will find all your horsemanship skills being put to the test.

The pasture provides many variables that increase the challenge (and fun) when you are out in the wide open spaces versus the closed arena, not the least of which is the lack of close fences to keep the critters from escaping. Riders will soon discover that the key to working with cattle is not the fast stampede from the movies, but the strategic positioning horse and rider must achieve as a team to yield the desire movement of these critters. Yep, not only do you need to employ “horse whispering” tactics here, but some “cow whispering” will sure be handy.

The wranglers have lots of helpful hints, so that all riding levels can see why this is such and exhilarating experience. So get ready to move your horsemanship up a notch, and start practicing that cattle call.

Just like the adults, the Buckaroos ride the same horse all week, developing a loving, trusting relationship. Our Kid’s Wranglers get the youngsters started in the arena, but soon move out on the trail. Kid’s rides are available daily. However, family rides are a popular option. In addition to riding, kids have the opportunity to learn how to feed and groom their horses and also tend other ranch animals. The teens have exclusive teen rides as well as the option of riding with adults. Not only do we offer adventurous and exciting trails for these young adults, we provide an excuse for them to get away from their parents! The teen program provides ample instruction for those who really want to “get into” the horse thing while at Vista Verde. But be careful! This horse stuff is habit-forming, particularly for the young ladies it seems.