There’s something inherently satisfying about embarking on an adventure. Whether it’s the thrill of trying something new or pushing past your comfort zone, adventures offer us the opportunity not only to challenge ourselves but to know ourselves better. They also make for great stories.
Equine adventures are particularly rewarding because they come with a 1,000-pound comrade with its own mind and personality. Whether you’re a green or an experienced rider, at times, horses will test your patience, confidence, and perseverance. And when you manage to develop trust and understanding with your horse, you are rewarded on a whole different level.
My most recent equine adventure was a cattle drive in Colorado. It was 8 a.m. on a Friday when I arrived at the 8,000-acre working cattle ranch just outside Steamboat Springs. As I pulled into the dirt parking lot, I was greeted by a line of horses saddled and waiting. My mount for the day was Moca, a beautiful dun mare.
There were six riders including myself — my partner in his recently acquired cowboy hat, a retired couple who sold all of their property and were traveling the country in an RV, and a mother-daughter duo on a mission to visit all 50 states before the girl’s 18th birthday.
Accompanying us was Amanda, our guide, and a black-and-white cow dog named Sage.
As we rode beneath endless, clear-blue skies, Amanda explained our mission for the morning. This summer, the ranch housed 1,300 heifers, only a third of their usual number due to severe drought conditions. We were to round up as many as we could find along our ride and move them to the other side of a single-lane highway where, literally, greener pastures awaited.
After one hour in the saddle, there still was no sign of any heifers. The ride was mostly an up-and-down climb with steep inclines where, if you looked straight between the horse’s ears, you were staring at the ground. I leaned back slightly, loosened my reins, and allowed Moca, who was familiar with the terrain, to choose the safest path down. Slowly and sure-footedly, she made her descent with consideration for us both. Though they stayed close together, each of the seven horses chose a different route.
As we approached the bottom of a hill, we finally encountered our first cattle. We were instructed to hang back and let Sage go in first.
The dog sprang into action, running straight up to a heifer. The young cow dug her hooves into the ground and stared at Sage, who leaned back on her haunches and stared straight back. Suddenly, Sage lunged forward, nipping the cow’s nose. Startled, the heifer leapt back and turned away. Sage immediately pursued, biting at her ankles. The cow started running and the others followed. Sage ran behind, moving them forward together.
Now it was our turn. I wish I could say that we took off, galloping across the valley toward those cows, but that was not the case. Amanda warned us to approach them slowly or risk spooking the herd and sending them running in different directions, doubling our workload.
We spread out, tasked with uprooting the hillside stragglers while Sage kept the majority of the heifers together in the valley below.
Far behind the other riders, Moca and I caught sight of three heifers who abandoned the group for a watering hole. I debated not going after them for fear of getting lost with no cell reception but decided not to leave them behind. We turned around and trotted toward them. Busy lapping up water, they were uninterested. I rode closer, yelling and gesturing at them to “move” until they took off in the direction I needed.
As I turned to follow, all I saw was the vast expanse of rolling hills with mountains in the distance. For that brief moment, it was just me, Moca, and the three small cows. But I didn’t feel alone, nor afraid. I felt safe with Moca.
Over the course of four hours, we rounded up just over 100 heifers and managed to get most of them across the road.
The cattle drive was done at Saddleback Ranch and is open to beginners.
Embark on Your Own Equine Adventure
If you’re new to equine adventures, there are plenty of ways to get your feet wet right here in Florida, no matter your skill level.
In a state where there are plenty of opportunities to swim with aquatic animals, you can also swim with your hoofed companions. Both C Ponies and The Real Beach Horses in Bradenton offer horse swimming excursions in Palma Sola Bay, where riders often spot dolphins and manatees. Makin’ Tracks Trail Rides in Ocala also offers a seasonal river ride where riders can splash around with their horse.
For some family-friendly fun, and a taste of ranch life, you can’t beat a good, old-fashioned dude ranch. Westgate has a 1,700-acre resort and rodeo in River Ranch where guests can embark on scenic trail rides or “cowboy up” with a night at the rodeo. Florida residents receive a discount on room rates.
There are also smaller ranches that offer a more personal experience. Diamond Oaks Farm in Ocala provides a low-key, friendly atmosphere where guests are encouraged to walk the 25-acre property freely, getting to know the horses and feeding them carrots. The farm offers trail rides, carriage rides, private lessons, and grooming workshops for adults and children.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in adventure, consider a full-on equine vacation. Companies such as Hidden Trails, Equitors, and Equitrekking offer horseback-riding getaways throughout the world. Whether you want to ride on safari in Africa, discover an equestrian castle in Ireland, explore the Costa Rican rainforest, trek through the winter snow in Canada, or gallop along the wild volcanic landscape of Iceland, there is an unforgettable experience waiting for you. All you have to do is grab the reins!