Experiences > Horseback Riding

We offer many choices in horseback rides from one to two hours, from novice to families, to the adventurous.  Our experienced Wranglers will help you determine the best options for your skill level.

For the novice riders or busy families, the 1 hour Mesa View Trail keeps riders on top of the desert ridges offering open views of the Colorado River Valley, Parriott Mesa, Convent Butte and Sorrel River Ranch. Riders will enjoy many photo opportunities as our endearing wranglers tell stories about the local area.

Our scenic 1.5-hour ride will reward you and your family with magnificent views of the surrounding rock formations and the often snow-capped La Sal Mountains.

The adventurous 2-hour ride meanders through the valley then into Ida Gulch before ascending up toward Parriott Mesa. See how truly massive this famous rock formation is as you head back towards the banks of the Colorado River near Rocky Rapids.

Private Rides: For the ultimate horseback riding experience take a private ride with our knowledgeable Wranglers.  Enjoy family and friend time riding through the beautiful foothills around Sorrel River Ranch. Private rides are custom tailored for skill level and duration based on lowest skill level in the group. Get up close and personal with the enormous red rock buttes that define our majestic valley.

For the early bird we offer a sunrise ride with breakfast. If a mid-day ride is more your style, join us for lunch or end your day with a beautiful sunset ride.

Pre-Ride Western Tune-up for Ages 6+: Interested in a tune-up before hitting the trail? Hone your skills, get to know your horse, and get comfortable before heading out on your guided ride. During this ½ hour pre-ride arena session you will have the opportunity to tune-up your skills, or learn the basics of rein management, guiding the horse with leg and body, turning, stopping and soft trotting. Schedule your session with the front desk in conjunction with your scheduled trail ride. This is not a prerequisite to trail riding, but it is highly encouraged for beginning riders and children.

The tune-up is only offered in conjunction with a pre-purchased trail ride.  Class time is 30 minutes.

For the beginner we offer…

Beginner Riding Lessons for ages 4-6: Great for little buckaroos that are too young to ride the trails. Under the tutelage of our experienced Wranglers kids will first be led around on a pony and then will have the opportunity to give it a whirl on their own. Approximately 30 minutes.

Western Riding Lesson for ages 6+: Learn the basics of riding, including reign management, posture & balance, start, stop, emergency 1-reign stop and trot. Our Wranglers will also cover the basics of how to groom and saddle.  Plan for 1 hour of instruction.

Complimentary Tiny Tot Pony Rides (Age 3 & Under): Give your child a positive first experience on horseback with one of our experienced Wranglers. Rides are 15 minutes and offered daily, weather permitting, 9:00 am – 10:30 am.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS for the 2020 Horseback Season

Join us this horseback season at Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa to experience some new offerings including kids day camp, Western Horsemanship instruction, Jr. Wrangler activities, overnight horse boarding and a tune up.  For more information and pricing contact us at 877.317.8244.

Western Horsemanship 101 Two-Day Kids Camp for Ages 6-12:  Are your children interested in learning more about horses and natural horsemanship? Do you already have horsey kids, and they want to have fun and learn more? Or, do the adults need a vacation day from the kids. If yes, this is the camp for your child! Our experienced Wranglers have put together a fun and information-packed horse camp designed to teach or expand your child’s knowledge of Western horsemanship. A snack, bottled water and gloves will be provided.  Sign up for this class upon check in at the resort.  Seasonal and weather permitting.  The camp will include:

Day 1

• History, evolution, breeds, colorings & markings of the horse
• Horse anatomy/terms (game)
• The how’s and why’s of grooming and hoof care (hands-on)
• Learn how the horse learns (demo)
• Saddling & bridling basics

Day 2

• Learn how the horse learns. Catch, halter, lead, groom and groundwork (hands-on)
• Saddle, bridle, mount and dismount (including “emergency dismount” with prizes)
• Move your horse forward in a walk using your legs and body and rein management
• Obstacle Course (Experiential)
• Untack, brush out and return horse
• Earn your Star Badge

Class times are 8:00 am – 12:00 pm each day; Minimum Class Size 2, Maximum 6

Western Horsemanship Clinic for Ages 13+: Do you know just enough about horses to be dangerous? Do you want to expand your horse knowledge and experience? Or, is it that you just want to feel comfortable when going for a ride during your annual vacation? If any of the above apply, this condensed, information-packed and fun instructional riding class is for you! Bottled water and gloves will be provided. Seasonal, weather permitting. Sign up for this class upon check in at the resort.  This clinic includes:

Introduction

• Brief history of the horse, including breeds and markings
• Horse anatomy/terms (game)
• The how’s and why’s of grooming and hoof care (hands-on)
• Groundwork (pre-flight), and how the horse learns (demo)
• Saddling & bridling basics

Experiential 

• Catch, halter, lead, groom and groundwork your own horse
• Saddle, bridle, mount and dismount
• All work is done in the arena: move your horse forward in a walk using your legs, body and rein management
• Obstacle Course (Experiential)
• Untack, brush out and return horse
• Earn your Star Badge

Class time is 8:00 am – 12:00 pm;  Minimum Class Size 2, Maximum 6

Junior Wrangler Program for Ages 6+:  Is a career as a Wrangler in your future? Join us for a ½ day learning about the roles and responsibilities of a Wrangler. When taking care of stock, being punctual is a requirement. During your 4-hours as a Junior Wrangler you will shadow one of the Sorrel River Wranglers through their daily routine. If you cannot commit to the 7:00 am start time, this is not the program for you! A snack, bottled water and gloves will be provided.  Seasonal, weather permitting.  Sign up for this class upon check in at the resort.

Participation Includes:

• Feeding & watering the stock, restocking feed bins
• Cleaning pens & stalls (mini horses, chickens, cows, goats, pigs and rabbits)
• Collecting and cleaning eggs
• Turn-outs and babysitting goats and hogs during barnyard playtime
• Learn grooming and groundwork techniques with the horses
• Learn about saddling
• Basic pre-flight to guiding a ride
• End with a Pony Ride and Earn Your Badge

Class time is 7:00 am – 11:00 am

Pre-Ride Western Tune-up for Ages 6+: Interested in a tune-up before hitting the trail? Hone your skills, get to know your horse, and get comfortable before heading out on your guided ride. During this ½ hour pre-ride arena session you will have the opportunity to tune-up your skills, or learn the basics of rein management, guiding the horse with leg and body, turning, stopping and soft trotting. Schedule your session with the front desk in conjunction with your scheduled trail ride. This is not a prerequisite to trail riding, but it is highly encouraged for beginning riders and children.

The tune-up is only offered in conjunction with a pre-purchased trail ride.  Class time is 30 minutes.

Overnight Horse Boarding:  Overnight horse boarding is available at Sorrel River Ranch for registered guests only. We offer a large paddock with run-in shelter and water. Fescue grass-hay can be provided for an additional charge. Complimentary daily and departure clean-up will be provided by a Sorrel River Wrangler. Please request a boarding contract be sent when you are talking to our front desk staff at the time of your registration. Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  We have a maximum of 4 horses.

We have endless miles of trails for you to explore on your own on non-motorized BLM land. Ride right off the ranch … no trailering required! We offer guided rides with one of our professional Sorrel River Wranglers for an additional fee. For more detailed information contact [email protected].

Requirements

• Current health certificate (30-day)
• Current Coggins

Wedding Rides:  Never mind the limo! Ride up to your ceremony in style … on Horseback!

Horse Themed Photography for any event : Not sure about a ride but still want a great photo? We offer horse-themed photography for your Wedding, Honeymoon, Anniversary, Graduation, Birthday, or just for fun.

Please contact [email protected] for information, availability and pricing of photography events or wedding rides.

Few activities combine fun, fitness, exploration, and relaxation as well as Horseback Riding.

You may not even realize it as you ride through our spectacular surroundings but during your adventures by horseback, you will be getting a great workout to improve:

• Core Strength
• Balance and Coordination
• Muscle tone and Flexibility

With everything right here at the Ranch to suit all experience levels, Sorrel River Ranch’s expert team of guides and wranglers will make sure that you have an exceptional and safe Moab Horseback Riding adventure.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced rider, our fully-equipped horseback riding ranch has many trails for riders of every level.

You will be matched to a horse that meets your experience and riding ambition and fitted with a comfortable saddle and tack. A surreal horseback riding experience in Moab awaits.

And if you would like a little instruction, we offer Western Riding Lessons, covering the basics of horsemanship to learning how to lope. This 60-minute Western riding lesson with our experienced team will provide you with all the foundations of true Western-style riding. Perfect for never-evers or as a refresher course for a less confident rider, a lesson is also a great warm-up for one of our many group or private rides.