Riding in Seattle/Victoria BC?

[one1horse]

Hopefully this is a good category to post this in!!

I’m traveling from Boston to visit family in Seattle in October and will be taking the ferry to Victoria while there. I would love to ride while visiting, and Google hasn’t been too much help to figure out if the trail riding outfits will be able to offer what I’m looking for.

Does anyone know of any stables/ranches that offer trail rides for intermediate/advanced riders? Think like a leisurely hunter pace type ride - I would love to jump (this isn’t a deal breaker, I know it’s a long shot), do some trotting and cantering, and see the landscape of the area. Bonus points if there’s forest and beach riding!

I realize I may be looking at nose-to-tail western trail rides, and that’s okay if that’s what my options are. But wanted to see if the hive has any ideas or connections in the area that might be closer to what I’m hoping for. If so, I would love to chat!

[hoopoe]

I know of nowhere in western Washington that has had anything like this in decades. October is not really riding out weather, that is when the rain returns

[LovesHorses]

I also live in Seattle. Never heard of anything like this either. It’s a very populated area.

[one1horse]

Thanks to you both - I have spent a lot of time in Seattle over the years and have been fortunate to not be rained on significantly while visiting in October but never say never.

My research shows that there are a lot of trail riding outfits within 1-2hr drives but information about what the establishments offer is scant. Was just hoping for any personal insight, but I think the next step is to reach out to businesses directly.

Thanks!

[fanfayre]

I also can’t think of anything like that in greater Victoria/ Saanich Peninsula; there’s enough angst about the carriage tours (might that be an option?) that I’m sure trail rides would lead to by the bureaucrats

There is a trail-riding establishment about 45 minutes north of Victoria over the Malahat: Alpine Stables. That’s all I can tell you about it- the name.

[Scribbler]

I’ve lived in the Vancouver area most of my life. I’m not really familiar with the Victoria horse scene. But I do know a bit about the dude trail ride world. First, trail rides were much more common when I was a teen in the 1970s when that was pretty much the only outdoor novelty activity. We had a trail ride barn down the street and I bought my horse from there.

Second, Western riding is the predominant style outside the metropolitan English competition pockets. It’s much safer and easier for newbies. I’ve never ever seen a dude string using English saddles in Western Canada or USA. I do however do back country riding in my dressage saddles!

Third, many perhaps most English competition barns are landlocked and don’t have trail access. The local hunt here locates private land and ranches for events. There isn’t much open land for riding, the equestrian trails tend to be in forest.

That said, there’s a definite horse community East of Seattle up towards Redmond, and lots of horses on Vancouver Island. I just don’t think you’re going to find a rental place doing Hunter pace style excursions for a stranger.

Because the scenery out here is so amazing, longer dude ranch or trail ride excursions could be focused on getting you into mountains etc. Back.country riding tends to be slow paced even on your own horse. Lots of steep trails, windfall, and you don’t want to gallop even when you can if you want to save your horse for a long ride ahead. I’ve done a lot of 5 hour rides where I’ve never cantered

[one1horse]

Thank you! This is helpful. I’m okay with doing a western trail ride, I really care most about the scenery and seeing that part of the world from a different vantage point. Just wanted to poll the masses to see if something more my style existed. Clearly, it does not, and that’s totally fine!

[BadTB]

Yes, not much for riding options in the Greater Victoria area unless you’re going to take a lesson on a school horse. There is one barn on the Saanich Peninsula that was advertising trail riding (not sure if they still are), but I would steer clear of the place. The trail riding consisted of road riding and the trail they took you to is basically a commuter trail for cyclists these days. The place is also not know for their safety standards.

As mentioned above, Alpine Stables does trail rides and it’s not a super long drive out of town. The trails up there would be great… don’t quote me on this but I think they might even go the Kinsol Trestle, which would be amazing. Other than that, you’d have to travel further up island to Nanoose (about 2 hrs drive from Victoria) or Black Creek (about 3 hours drive from Victoria) for other trail riding opportunities.

There are lots of horses in the area, but it’s predominantly riding stables and show barns.

[one1horse]

Thank you! This is super helpful. I saw Alpine Stables so I will reach out to them. I’m visiting family and they want to be able to road cycle while I ride, so seems like a great option.

[Spudsmyguy]

There used to be (still is?) a farm out in Gold Bar, WA that had trail riding and you went on your own. The trails were forested along the river; I used to ride there a lot when I first moved to WA in the early 90s. It was on Reiner Road if memory serves. Skyland Ranch! Name finally came to me. There was a horse there I used to request and was planning to make an offer on her when she suddenly disappeared. Came to find out she was privately owned and they were renting her out to customers without permission. Owner did find out and moved her post haste.

[one1horse]

Just wanted to circle back and thank everyone for their suggestions!

We ended up going in a totally different direction and booked a stay at Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop. I’ll be able to take a trail ride, have a lovely dinner, and my family member will be able to do some cycling. Not the style riding I was envisioning, but I think the landscape will make up for it!