THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING
Which Location Do I Choose?
We get asked all of the time, "what trail ride would you recommend for me?" or in our busy season, "[this location] is fully booked, and the only availability you have is [this location], is that okay for me?" Every person/group is different and we're more than happy to point you in the right direction to the best of our availability. We use horses, mules, and donkeys at both locations. Read through the descriptions of the ride that catches your eye and see if it fits your group. Call us with any additional questions! If you are a solo rider, you'll have to call us to be added onto an existing ride.
If you've never ridden before, or it's been decades since you've ridden, we always recommend booking a 2HR ride out of our Big Bend Stables, which is offered morning, afternoon, and sunset. It's a relaxed ride and the perfect amount of time for your first experience in the saddle, and still gives you plenty of time in the day to explore what the Big Bend has to offer. This is our MOST popular ride that can take young kids, so in busy seasons this is the FIRST ride to fill up. Riders must be 270lbs or under: we only have 1 mule that can carry this weight so availability is limited. For safety reasons, riders MUST be under our weight limit, be able to mount/dismount with no assistance, and have no balance issues. No, these trails are not in Big Bend National Park, but just on the border of the NP.
If your whole group is adventurous, not afraid of heights, and gung-ho to climb the mesa in the saddle about 500 feet, our 1/2 Day or 3HR ride out of Lajitas Stables would be great for you. These trails are physically demanding and super adventurous. If someone in your group is nervous about riding or have never ridden, please make sure they're comfortable with this adventurous ride before booking. We want to make sure everyone is aware of this adventurous ride. We take kids ages 12+ on these trails. Riders must be 250lbs or under for these rides & be able to mount/dismount with no assistance and have no issues balancing. We only have a few mules that can carry this weight up the mesa. For safety reasons, riders MUST be under our weight limit, NO exception.
If you're an experienced rider (you own a horse, take lessons, have ridden your whole life, ride consistently, etc), we always recommend any rides out of our Lajitas Stables. Availability for our All-Days and Overnights vary throughout the year and we need several months notice for those types of rides for staffing reasons. Please keep in mind that even our extended rides stay at a walk, no matter the riders experience!
If you're in the middle--haven't ridden much, or if for whatever reason the trails at Lajitas Stables wouldn't fit your group, our 1/2 Day ride at Big Bend Stables is suitable for most! It's about 3HRS in the saddle with a lunch break in between.
Holidays/spring break
We are proud that our 2 locations are the go-to choice for trail rides in this area. Thousands of people come to the Big Bend to enjoy the quiet, the dark skies, and the wide open-ness of a unique part of Texas. For this reason, PLAN AHEAD!
Our busy times are any holiday weekend/times kids are out of school, and especially Spring Break--all of March until mid April. Since our Big Bend location is the most beginner/kid & family friendly location, it is the first to fill up, always. We do not recommend booking our Lajitas Stables rides just because it's the only option left-- It is important to us that you and yours are comfortable and excited about any trail ride you decide to book, so please make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with the described aspects of our trails.
Our All-Day/Overnight Trips are NOT available in March.
For Holidays, and all of March: Book as soon as possible. Many of our Spring Break trail rides fill up 8 months in advance. Big Bend is a huge area but we only have so many animals and so many guides--we cannot guarantee that we can book your family for a Holiday/Spring Break ride the week of, and sometimes the month before. We also recommend you do this for other activities: river trips, jeep tours, etc, and any accomodations.g your content here...
BE PREPARED
Our rides run on a schedule & our locations vary
BE ON TIME
Yes, we're on Central Time, but being so close to Mexico your phone will most likely switch to Mountain Time. Double check, and make sure you arrive to the correct location on time. Remember, we have 2 locations.
Dress Accordingly
In order to ride, you must wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Jeans and a hard-soled shoe is best. Avoid leggings due to being slick in the saddle, and hiking boots since they're typically too bulky and grippy for the stirrups.
Sun, Sun, MORE SUN
We recommend you wear a lightweight longsleeve shirt to keep the sun off of you, as well as a secure hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. Obviously, each rider MUST bring enough water for the ride.
Kids
Riders under 16 must wear a helmet. We provide helmets, otherwise you're more than welcome to bring your own equestrian helmet. No bike helmets.
A parent/legal guardian must fill out a waiver in order for the minor to ride. If the parent/legal guardian will not be present for the ride, an e-waiver must be correctly filled out prior to the arrival of your party.
Frequently asked questions
Most frequent questions and answers
You need to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to ride. Dress for the weather! Avoid: shorts and leggings. It's best not to wear very grippy hiking boots for safety. Jeans and heeled boots are highly recommended. For sunny or warm days, we suggest wearing lightweight long sleeves and bandanas. It's best to avoid tank tops and crop tops. Cowboys dress this way not just for style, but to protect themselves from the sun. The sun can be harsh out here! Proper attire helps ensure comfort, protection, and safety throughout the experience.
1) Hydration is crucial! Each rider must bring 1L of water per hour of riding, stored in handheld bottles. Without water, you can't ride. In hotter months, it's wise to bring extra water; it's always better to have more than to run out. NO gallon jugs or CamelPaks; we supply a saddle bag for your water bottles that your horse will carry. 2) Don't forget your sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. If you're over 18 and choose not to wear a riding helmet, make sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection!
We operate from two locations, so make sure to verify your booking or confirmation to find out which stables to go to. We suggest following the directions we provide, as phone maps and cell service can be unreliable in this area. Big Bend Stables is located at the intersection of HWY 118 and 170, right next to the gas station. Lajitas Stables is 2.5 miles west of Lajitas Resort on HWY 170. The two locations are 30 minutes apart, so allow yourself enough time to travel and arrive punctually, if not a few minutes early!
The National Park prohibits horseback outfitters from riding on its property. Instead, we operate on private land adjacent to the National Park (Big Bend Stables) and also ride in Big Bend Ranch State Park (Lajitas Stables).
Big Bend Stables: 270lbs Lajitas Stables: 250lbs This ensures the safety of both the horse and the rider, while also providing comfort for you. Horse riding is a physical sport! You need to be able to get on the horse independently and maintain your balance in the saddle, as the horse is also working to balance you. Keep in mind that riders who meet our weight limit will likely ride a mule! Mules are fantastic, and it's a wonderful chance to experience riding them!
Mules are fascinating animals, combining traits of both horses and donkeys. Their unique muscular structure allows them to carry heavier loads more effectively. Additionally, their distinct hoof design gives them better stability, making them more sure-footed. They also have improved visibility of their hind feet, which helps them navigate challenging and rocky landscapes with ease.
We ride rain or shine, but we do not ride in unsafe weather conditions (i.e. lightning) or on unsafe trail conditions.
We saddle up horses & mules according to the experience and height/weight of each rider, so your horse has already been chosen for you.
No, for several significant reasons. First, horses are social animals, and an unfamiliar presence in the group can lead to conflicts, posing risks to both the horse and rider, as well as others on the ride. Second, the terrain we traverse is extremely rugged, and our horses are adapted desert breeds with strong hooves, skilled at handling this type of environment. Lastly, there are limited boarding facilities available in this area, and we cannot provide those services.
Riders aged 15 and under must wear a provided equestrian-style helmet. If you have your own equestrian helmet and prefer to use it, you are welcome to bring it. For riders 18 and older, wearing a helmet is optional. If you choose to wear a hat instead, ensure it fits well and stays securely on your head.
Our hourly rides are strictly a walking nose-to-trail ride. Our trails are challenging and rugged, and it's important to note that we are located in a remote area, a full 90 miles from the nearest medical facility. Your well-being is our top priority.
No. Under no circumstances do we allow this. Our trails are rocky and rugged. Please know each stables has it's own specific age minimum.
Per our insurance policy, we can only accommodate children who are at least 6 years old. For our 6-year-old riders at Big Bend Stables, the ride is limited to 2 hours, and they will be riding on a donkey, guided by a wrangler throughout the experience.
Yes of course!! iPhones and handheld cameras are allowed. If you have a handheld camera (film, DSLR, etc), please have a strap on it so you can wear it cross-body. No drones or selfie-sticks are allowed.
For single adult riders, we can add you to an existing ride if possible. Please call our office to take care of this!
Since we are in the desert, every rider must have bring their own water. This is the desert, and no one goes down the trail without it. We follow the hiking wisdom: you need a 1 liter for each hour you're riding. You must be able to hold the reins while you drink water, so handheld bottles are easiest. We provide a saddlebag for the water, so nothing bulky that you need both hands for or that will hang too heavy off of the side of the horse. The 750ml/1l bottles are the best. Hydration bladders are okay, but might get punctured by the pokey plants we ride by. You MUST have still water. If you get overheated, you'll need to be able to pour the water on yourself, so this is why we ask that you bring a LOT of water. Warmer months = extra water. Dehydration & heat exhaustion are big threats here in the desert if you don't have enough water!!
No, we only provide guided trail rides.
No, we only provide guided trail rides with our own herd and do not accomodate horses/mules/donkeys outside of our herd on our property.
ALL of our rides are at a walk. We are 90 miles away from the nearest hospital & our trails are rocky & rugged.
No, in order to ride our horses you will have to do a guided trail ride with us on our trails.
No, you will need to find your own arrangements for transportation!