We understand that part of the fun of a horseback ride is actually getting to see the terrain around you and hearing your Wrangler’s stories. Because of this, Tattered Saddle ensures that each of our trail experiences are “small batch.” Typically, no more than 8 people will be allowed out with a guide at a time. For corporate horseback riding events or private excursions, adjustments can be made.

Please e-mail us at TatteredSaddle@gmail.com

Our trail rides vary in duration. While most of our beginner horseback rides involve approximately 60 minutes in the saddle, we do offer experiences that are 90 minutes – such as our Scratch&Ride experiences. Take a look at the rides available in your desired location, either Tucson, AZ or Fort Collins, CO, to get a better idea of what we offer. Or give us a call at (970) 657-5463 to discuss create a bespoke experience.

No – for the safety of our guests, the well-being of our horses, and the longevity of our trails and public lands, we cannot allow riders of any skill level ride one of our horses without a guide present.

Yes. Since most of our riding locations are situated in mountainous regions, you should expect some changes in elevation throughout your journey. However, while the trails do feature various inclines and declines, they are carefully selected to remain beginner-friendly and accessible for first-time horseback riders. Your wrangler will be with you every step of the way to provide guidance on how to sit comfortably and navigate the path safely. Additionally, you can rest easy knowing that our horses are pros who are thoroughly accustomed to the terrain.

Yes – you can trot and lope your horse on our Colorado Advanced Trail Ride! This advanced trail ride is suitable for riders who are already comfortable trotting or loping horses. Riders must pass a skills check before hitting the trail for an advanced horseback ride. Unfortunately, we do not currently offer a loping or trotting ride in Tucson, AZ.

For the safety of our riders, most of our rides require our guests to ride in a single-file line or, “nose-to-tail.” However, on our Colorado Advanced Trail Ride, guests who pass a skills check may ride out of formation, according to their guide’s instructions. Please note that even if you have passed a skills check, you may not ride out of formation unless the other riders in your group have passed the same test.

Absolutely! We specialize in beginner-friendly experiences. Our wranglers will will teach you how to control your horse and make sure you feel comfortable in the saddle before we head out, and our trail horses are chosen for their calm and gentle temperaments.

All of our locations provide “mounting blocks” – a sturdy set of stairs – for the convenience of our guests and our horses. These stairs have two-three steps (each approximately 8 inches high) that lead to the saddle’s stirrup. You will climb these steps and then, using your leg strength, stand up in the stirrup and gently swing your right leg over the horse’s back before sitting down.

For the safety of the rider, the horse, and our staff, all guests must be able to mount the horse from a mounting block without physical assistance. While our wranglers are there to steady the horse and provide verbal guidance, they are not generally permitted to physically lift riders into the saddle. If a guest is unable to mount the horse independently from our provided stairs, they will not be permitted to ride. We maintain this policy to ensure that every rider has the physical mobility required to stay balanced and safe while riding horses out on the mountain or desert terrain.

We love introducing riders young and old to the trail! Many of our rides are suitable for guests ages 6 and up. However, age requirements can vary depending on the specific difficulty rating of the ride you choose. Please check the details of your specific booking or give us a call if you have questions about a particular horseback ride.

Tattered Saddle uses a wide variety of horses to help us accommodate riders of many shapes and sizes. We can currently accommodate riders up to 300lbs, assuming that said riders still meet all other requirements, including the ability to get onto the horse without physical assistance.

Safety is our top priority. We provide ASTM/SEI approved helmets, free of charge, to all guests. If you bring your own riding helmet, you may wear it instead.

• Under 18: Helmets are strictly mandatory.
• Adults: While not required, helmets are highly recommended for riders of all experience levels.

For the safety of both our guests and our horses, we do not allow double riding. Every guest, including children, must be able to sit in their own saddle and handle their own horse.

Mountain and desert weather can be unpredictable! We do ride in light rain, but if conditions become unsafe (such as lightning, flash floods, or extreme heat), we will contact you to reschedule or provide a refund, as per our refund policy. We recommend checking the local forecast and bringing a light jacket for our Colorado rides.

While we strive to provide a welcoming environment for everyone, Tattered Saddle is unfortunately unable to accommodate special needs guests at our facilities. Licensed therapy horses undergo years of extensive, specialized training to manage specific physical and cognitive requirements that differ significantly from standard trail riding instruction. While our horses are incredibly sweet and excel at accommodating nervous or inexperienced riders on trail rides, they are not trained to handle the unique safety and support needs associated with therapeutic riding. To ensure the safety of both our guests and our animals, we recommend seeking out a certified therapeutic riding center that has the specialized staff and equipment necessary for a safe experience.

Our horses are our partners and our family. We follow a strict wellness protocol that includes:

• Professional Care: Regular visits from specialized equine veterinarians and farriers to ensure healthy hooves and hearts.
• Tactful Matching: We carefully match each rider’s weight and experience level to the appropriate horse to prevent strain or fatigue.
• Proper Gear: Tattered Saddle’s horses undergo rigorous fittings twice a year to ensure that their saddles, bridles, and other tack fit them well. We think that making sure our horses are comfortable doing their job is one of the most important things we can do.
• Nutrition: Tattered Saddle’s horses receive multiple meals each day (usually breakfast and dinner), of high-quality forage and grain. Their diets are tailored not only to each horse’s to the specific needs, but also the demands of their mountain or desert environments. And, of course, they always have free access to water.
• Rest: We schedule our horses’ work days and hours to ensure that they only do the work that is right for their age and ability. In addition, when our location permits it, our horses enjoy “vacation time” in large pastures where the horses can relax simply be horses.
• Mental Health: Rather than keeping our horses boxed up in stalls, they live in a group herd setting in large outdoor settings. This allows them to form friendships, eat, drink, lay down, or run at their pleasure. We also provide our horses with the option for mental stimulation in the form of toys and snack activities.

Tattered Saddle believes in doing our part to protect the public and private lands that we enjoy. Because horses can impact the terrain, we take proactive steps and communicate directly with the National Forest Service to maintain the beauty of the Colorado mountains and the delicate Tucson desert:

• Trail Maintenance: Tattered Saddle’s crew regularly clears brush, manages water runoff to prevent erosion, and repairs trail tread to keep paths stable, according to the guidance of our friends at the National Forest Service.
• Invasive Species Control: The horses that travel on public land are fed certified weed-free hay to ensure that we aren’t accidentally introducing non-native plants into the wilderness areas.
• Stewardship: Tattered Saddle regularly picks up garbage, horse manure, and dog manure from any trails that we share with frequent hikers.