The Bullet Points:

• Beginner Oro Valley Horseback Ride
• $75/pp
• 60-minute horseback ride
• beginner-friendly

Participant Requirements:

• Ages 6+
• Helmets required for under 18
• No double riding
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled advanced trail ride time
• Call (970) 657-5463, or for questions and special accommodations

You should bring:

• A bottle of water
• Sunscreen
• Closed-toe shoes
• Full length pants/jeans
• Appropriate layers (sun protection)

Reminders about your trail ride:

• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled beginner trail ride time! Rides leave promptly at the scheduled time.
• Approximately 60 minutes exploring the mountain on horseback!
• A photo opportunity for you and your steed!

This Oro Valley horseback ride is great for beginner riders ages 6+. Despite not being very far from town, this trail offers a lush system of winding paths. The trail is notable for Palo Verde trees and ancient saguaro cactus overhead, as well as sandy footing, lined with bushes.

The Oro Valley horseback ride leaves from Tattered Saddle’s “Stables at Westward Look,” – approximately 30 minutes from the heart of downtown Tucson – on the property of the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.

During this Oro Valley horseback ride, guests are given a calm horse to ride that has been selected to match their abilities. Then, an experienced wrangler will show you how to steer and ride your horse, and adjust the saddle and stirrups to fit you. Once you are comfortable, you will join a small group of adventurers into the sandy arroyo. We keep our ride availabilities small so that you never get lost in a crowd. Tattered Saddle rarely takes out more than 6 people (usually just two families) on any ride.

This 60-minute family horseback ride is available in Oro Valley, Arizona and carries on the old tradition of exploring Westward Look on horseback. The hotel, first a private estate, and then a dude ranch, has always had horseback riding opportunities on property. We are proud to help continue this tradition by exploring the local arroyos with you!

You should know that Tattered Saddle does not support double-riding (which means two people sharing one saddle!) so each person, young and old, must steer their own horse. But don’t worry – we’ll show you how!

How should I prepare for my first trail ride?

After checking in at the office, you and your fellow adventurers will gather around as a wrangler teaches you about horses and how to ride them! One by one, you each will be helped up onto your horses and the wranglers will teach you the basics of communicating with your horse (stop, go, left and right). Then – led by your guide – you will set out as a group to enjoy your oro valley horseback ride near the mountains and cacti in Oro Valley, AZ.

Out here, you will enjoy learning about the various Oro Valley plants and animals while horseback riding. We see many diverse species of plants – from ocotillo to Saguaro and Palo Verde trees – and you may catch sight or a jackrabbit or a roadrunner!

Helmets are not mandatory for adults. However, riders under the age of 18 are required to wear an appropriate, equestrian helmet while horseback riding. At Tattered Saddle’s Stables at Westward Look, helmets are provided for no additional fee.

Joining our 60-minute Family-Friendly horseback trail ride in Oro Valley, Arizona is based on your ability to get on the horse with our instruction, and your willingness to follow direction on the trail. If you think you can do those things, we’ll take care of the rest!

Other horseback experiences

The advanced horseback ride is a lot of fun, but if you are looking for something a little tamer, you should know that Tattered Saddle’s Stables at Westward Look does offer several other horseback riding adventures throughout the day. 

• A stunning experience, while still being beginner-friendly, is the “Sunset Ride.” If you’ve never seen an Oro Valley desert sunset from the back of a horse, here’s your opportunity! There are few things more memorable than the black mountains standing against a sun-soaked sky. Come alone or bring your friends and enjoy the company of our horses for an evening of peace and beauty.
• For those who enjoy bonding with and pampering their horse, the “Scratch and Ride” is a great experience. Available only in the mornings, this beginner-friendly Oro Valley horseback ride has an extra half-hour built in to allow you to groom and saddle your mount before we even get out of the stable! Don’t know how to do any of these things? No problem! We’ll teach you everything.
• If you’d love a longer ride, our “Oro Valley 1.5 Hour Horseback Adventure” is for you. Although this hour and a half horseback ride is still beginner-friendly, we suggest it only for those who have ridden a horse within the past year due to an epidemic of saddle-sore butts among first-time riders.