mendes ranch
 

I'm seriously thinking about booking the horseback riding (morning ride) w/mendes ranch. But i was hoping to get reviews first.

*My future husband and i will be on our honeymoon and he's never been on a horse before, so keep in mind i should probably start him out with a short ride (2 hours at most i think).

Any ideas? Has anyone used the Mendes Ranch before?

anyone?

My husband and I did use the Mendes Ranch in February for horseback riding. We took the afternoon ride. Most of their horses are extremely tame. They gave me their most energetic horse, because I have ridden all my life. I was allowed to gallop in certain areas, but many of the horses moved very slowly. The ranch area is beautiful and the ride is several hours. I would recommend it.
Trish

You might consider having your husband at least take a riding lesson in your hometown before going out on a 2-hour ride. Riding for the first time can be a little intimidating for an adult, and having a lesson under his belt will allow him to be more confident.

Also, go to a tack shop (in person or online) and buy him a "seat saver" cushion. Or, see if the ranch offers them. If he's never ridden before, chances are that riding without one will make him very sore...

that normally would be a good suggestion, but i'm going to say no. lol. See, my fiance has never been on a horse before and generally would never go horseback riding. But since this is our honeymoon, he's willing to try it.

So if i have him take a lesson at home and he decides he hates it, he won't go with me on our honeymoon. I'd rather have him go on our honeymoon and decide he hates it after the ride.

Besides, just because someone has never been on a horse before doesn't mean they should take a lesson first. I mean he is 25. I think he's old enough to be able to handle it.

I didn't mean to insult you or your husband.

I've been riding and working with horses for over 20 years, and I've taught a lot of first-time riders. It has been my experience that a somewhat lengthy trail ride is generally not the best thing for a first-time rider.

Oh no... i didn't take it as an insult at all. See this is why i hate writing stuff because people can take it one way or another, you know? If there was a smiley face... i would have put it next to what i wrote. So don't worry about that.

As for the ride, we're doing the somewhat short ride of all the trips. I totally hear what you're saying though. I'm just choosing to ignore it! lol. :) I'm afraid if i get my fiance on a horse before our trip, he will not like it and refuse to go EVER again. I don't mind doing some things by myself (i'm already going on a snorkeling trip by myself while he sits on the boat... he has this odd phobia of fish). But i have to draw the line somewhere.

Oh crap! I didn't know you could make smiley faces on here. Would you look at that. :) lol.