So my dad and I have been talking about me flying down to Little Rock and meeting him in August and then going up further north in AR for a little weekend vacation, hopefully with trail riding in the mountains. I haven’t found a lot of guided trail rides places online though, just a lot of parks where you can bring your horse and stay overnight and ride which…really doesn’t work for us. I’d love to find a place with like, a little B&B or something and then riding. Any suggestions on good places to go?
I am in AR but hubby is home today. I will get back to this tomorrow for you.
Hi,
I live in SW Missouri, but have trail rode at a place right outside of Eureka Springs before. Try google - “Eureka Springs Trail Rides” or something. The place I went was really nice… can’t remember the name though!
http://www.trailriding.net/rides1.htm
http://goplayoutdoors.com/Member/StoneCreekRanch/index.htm
This last one is a whole list.
How about if you do the Hot Springs tourist thing instead of north and check out this place for trail riding. I have not been, but have very good reports from a seasoned trail rider that travels all over the southwest.
Bar Fifty Ranch - http://www.barfiftyranch.com/
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I did end up making reservations at the Bar Fifty Ranch (after a couple of people suggested them and I checked out some reviews online). I’m pretty excited! I’ve only ever ridden a gaited horse once and it was when I was a kid so I can’t wait to go again and my dad and I are renting horses for the weekend so it should be pretty cool. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of stories and pictures after I get back. 
I have ridden “Sadie” there, and another mare, “Honey” perhaps? Both fabulous trail horses… The trails are very fun there in general. Lots of water crossings. My daughter loved the “Roller Coaster” that Mr. Heath took us on when we took a 3 hour ride.
Mostly they have Rocky Mtn horses for the trail rides, but have a few Paso Finos as well. If you want to ride a Paso, ask in advance. One might or might not be available; just depends on what they have trained and available at the moment. The very tall wrangler with kinda curly hair (Mr. Earl? maybe) is super nice. Mr. Heath is rougher around the edges with a very authentic weathered cowboy look, but is also very nice and will take you on a really nice ride. I have always opted for guided rides; there are trails everywhere out there! The wranglers know their way around, so you can enjoy the scenery and not worry about where you are. Of course, if you had no wrangler, the horses KNOW the way home!
You might want to invest in a western style seat saver if you are going on a longer ride… and try to avoid the black leather saddle… trust me. :yes:
I was definitely considering the seat savers. I don’t know what I’d do with them after as I typically ride English, but I’m sure I can find someone who wants them. 
Just updating:
We went last weekend, stayed at the ranch, and rode (over 5 hours, just me, my dad, the two horses, and one of the ranch dogs, LOL) on Sunday. It was a really nice place and the horses were very good rides. I was pretty surprised to discover after we got back that the horse I rode (Smokie) is only three! I would’ve figured she was a much more seasoned trail horse.
I did wish I’d bought the seat savers though. Aheh.
Pictures here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/anaili/horses/bar%2050%20trail%20ride%20aug%2022%202009/
