Rusty Spurr Ranch Blog

So you’ve come to the Breckenridge area of Colorado to enjoy an adventurous, scenic summer vacation in the mountains.  Most likely typical Colorado activities such as whitewater rafting and hiking are on the agenda.  Perhaps zip-lining and mountain biking as well?  But you’ve dismissed horseback riding in Colorado because you want adventure and/or scenery and sitting on an old nag, following a dozen others going nose-to-tail down a trail doesn’t exactly appeal to your sense of adventure.  Nor does riding a horse on a trail crowded with other hikers, bikers, dogs etc. sound like your idea of enjoying nature with the quiet

Every year after a beautiful summer season, the weather changes and we move into our off-season. Off-season for trail riding is usually considered to be the wintertime here in Breckenridge, Colorado. Specifically, our equestrian season starts in early May as soon as the snow melts off our trails and lasts into the fall after the gorgeous golden aspens lose their leaves around late September. The off-season, riding dates, and reservation ability can sometimes fluctuate slightly due to the unpredictability of Colorado’s weather and when the snow comes and goes, but that is our general seasonal riding schedule. You might be wondering what

Every year after a beautiful summer season, the weather changes and we move into our off-season. Off-season for trail riding is usually considered to be the wintertime here in Breckenridge, Colorado. Specifically, our equestrian season starts in early May as soon as the snow melts off our trails and lasts into the fall after the gorgeous golden aspens lose their leaves around late September. The off-season, riding dates, and reservation ability can sometimes fluctuate slightly due to the unpredictability of Colorado’s weather and when the snow comes and goes, but that is our general seasonal riding schedule. You might be wondering what

We love all our cowgirls and cowboys who dream of going horseback riding. For Stefanie Jones, her fantasy of being a real life cowgirl came true. Upon arriving at our very own Rusty Spurr Ranch she expresses her excitement at all the horses and how it looked like a movie scene. Whenever anyone comes to our ranch to experience the enjoyment of horseback riding, we hope they react with the pure joy that Stefanie Jones did. We welcome anyone and everyone to participate in this all-around fun activity. Even if horseback riding isn’t for you, we like to think that our gentle

We just wanted to say how thankful we are for all of your glowing reviews. Our horseback riding ranch means so much to us and we are thrilled we could share it with you all. The experiences we provide here are made to last a lifetime and we are so glad that our ranch went above and beyond your expectations. The Rusty Spurr Ranch began in 2001 when we had the idea to deliver the most unique and authentic horseback riding experience in the Rocky Mountains. We are thankful for all the companies that support and promote us and our business. When

There are many types of trail riding horses but we have decided to showcase the four most common and most reliable horse breeds. Despite the common belief that all horses can be used in horseback and trail riding, these types are proven to be exceptional trail companions time and time again. Although as a disclaimer, any horse can be ridden on the trails as long as proper training and the right mindset are prevalent. The first of the breeds is the Quarter Horse. These types of horses are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They have powerful hindquarters

What you decide to wear horseback riding can make or break whether you have fun or not. It's hard to enjoy the ride and the view when you are too busy trying to fix your clothes or thinking about how uncomfortable you are. The most important thing to wear is long pants. This is the most important item because your legs rub against the saddle while riding, so if you're wearing shorts or a skirt it will be VERY uncomfortable. We also recommend wearing layers so that you can maintain a comfortable body temperature when you are riding. During our riding season,

If you or a loved one has been to the Rusty Spurr Ranch and fell in love with horseback riding, you’re not the only one! In case a trip to Summit and Grand Counties Colorado is too long of a trip for you, or you want your very own horse, this blog is dedicated to you. We are going to review the pricing and costs of buying and owning a horse. The initial cost of a horse can be anywhere from free to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The cost of a horse really depends on the breed, level of training, and

The cowboy is a symbol of the American West culture and dates back more than two centuries. The traditional cowboy that we are familiar with today arose in the nineteenth century. Cowboys were important historical figures during the era of westward expansion in the United States. The origin of the cowboy tradition came from Spain, linking all the way back to the hacienda system in medieval times. This became a well known style of cattle ranching which spread throughout much of the Iberian peninsula and was later imported to the Americas. Although cowboys originated in Spain, American cowboys created their own reputation

Horseback trail riding is a fun adventure, and to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the ride, there are certain expectations that should be followed. The riders themselves are expected to keep at least a horse length apart from the rider in front of you or to the side in case of sudden movements from the horse near you or in case your horse gets spooked. Everyone in the group should try to stay within sight of each other to ensure safety of all riders. If your equipment needs to be altered, do not stay silent, as it could cause future

Here at Rusty Spurr Ranch, we offer a variety of activities that truly include the best horseback riding opportunity in all of Colorado. One of our most popular activities is the cattle drive. Now you might be wondering what a cattle drive is so let us explain this historically important and fun activity a little bit more. A cattle drive is when cowboys and cowgirls rode horses in order to herd their cattle from one place to another. You might be thinking, “What's the point?” But cattle drives have a rich and interesting history. The first cattle drives started in the 19th

The mountains of Colorado showcase the appeal of the state with the open skies and limitless greenery, as well as the fascinating wildlife that makes a common appearance wherever you might live in the mountains. If you are considering moving to the mountains, there are a few specific factors you have to take into consideration. First, consider the extreme weather of high altitude living. There is less oxygen in the air up here so those with respiratory illnesses or difficulty breathing might find that they do not thrive. Our summers are dry and have mild temperatures so it’s never too hot to

The Rusty Spurr Ranch, which visitors come to know and love, is a family owned business. You might be wondering what that means for you as a customer. At our family owned business, we have a level of commitment to our ranch and customers which is rarely found in corporate businesses. We have a deep respect for all our animals and take care of them with love, since they are a part of our family as well. Because we are a small group that works together and supports each other in all the daily ranch activities and duties, we find a genuine