The maximum weight our largest horses can safely carry is 230 lbs—and not every horse can carry this much. To protect both horse and rider, all guests must also be under a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 34. Please note that a rider under 230 lbs may still be unable to ride if their height-to-weight ratio results in a BMI that is too high.

BMI is a standardized measure of body weight relative to height. In horseback riding, a higher BMI raises a rider’s center of gravity, making it difficult to maintain balance and stability in the saddle—especially on our mountainous, open-range terrain. Since riding is an athletic activity, physical fitness is just one of several factors we evaluate to ensure safety.

We reserve the right to decline service to anyone whom management determines cannot be safely accommodated.

All riders are weighed privately at check-in. If a rider exceeds the weight listed on their reservation, they may not be allowed to ride, and no refunds will be issued. Please be sure you know your current weight and BMI before arriving to avoid disappointment.

We are our animals’ caretakers and their advocates—and we take this responsibility to heart. Our horses can’t speak for themselves, so it’s our job to pay close attention to their well-being and protect them from preventable harm.

Every horse is a unique individual, which means each has its own safe weight-carrying limit. Age, size, bone structure, past injuries, workload, and the rugged terrain we ride all play a role in determining what each horse can comfortably and safely handle. While a horse might appear able to carry more weight for a short time, the long-term consequences are significant. Overloading leads to cumulative stress on their joints and can cause early arthritis—especially in the coffin and pastern joints.

Our horses work hard—5 to 6 days a week in a true mountain environment—so protecting their bodies is essential for a long, healthy career and a comfortable retirement. Comparing their limits to those of privately owned horses isn’t fair; most personal horses don’t work nearly as often or in such challenging terrain.

We care deeply for our herd, and every guideline we enforce is rooted in doing what’s best for them.

Once in a while, a horse can carry a bit more weight. But every day? Absolutely not.

Our starting point for determining a horse’s safe carrying limit is the 20% rule, which states that a horse should not carry more than 20% of its own body weight. Since the average Quarter Horse weighs around 1,000 lbs, that means a starting capacity of about 200 lbs.

From there, we look at the individual horse:

• Is its back long or short?

• Is its bone structure light or heavy?

• Are its feet large enough to support extra weight?

• Does it show signs of soreness after work?

• Has it had past injuries?

With over 24 years of experience in this exact mountain environment, we’ve seen firsthand that when we pushed our larger draft-cross horses beyond these limits, they developed early arthritis and other lower-leg joint issues much more often than our other horses. And because draft crosses are expensive and harder to replace, preserving their health is essential.

To put the 20% rule into human terms:
A 180 lb man carrying 36 lbs (20% of his weight) can probably handle it once. But if he carried that weight 5+ days a week for years, his body would start to break down. Now compare that 18-year-old to a 50-year-old with a lifetime of physical work or injuries—their carrying capacity wouldn’t be the same.

It’s the same for our horses. Age, workload, terrain, and individual physical traits all matter. We limit what they carry not because they can’t do more once in a while, but because doing so every day would break their bodies down long before their time.

No. These policies exist because we were being asked for exceptions on a daily basis, which ultimately negated the very protection the policies were created to provide.

We assign horses to riders based on the weight and information you provide when booking. If your actual weight differs significantly from what was stated, the horse we selected for you may no longer be suitable. During our busy season, nearly all of our horses are already assigned each day, so we often cannot “swap in” a larger horse at the last minute. And if a horse is scheduled for a rest day, we honor that—they work hard and deserve their recovery time.

We also have a BMI limit of 34, which considers both height and weight. Even if a rider weighs under 230 lbs, their height-to-weight ratio may still exceed this limit. A shorter, stockier rider faces different balance and stability challenges than a taller rider of the same weight.

For your safety and the well-being of our horses, we cannot accommodate riders with a BMI over 34. Thank you for understanding that these policies protect both our guests and our animals.

You’re in luck—we ride rain or shine! Every saddle comes equipped with a raincoat, so we’re ready for Colorado’s ever-changing skies. Some of our most memorable rides happen in the rain; guests often return saying it was their favorite ride ever. Rainbows and sparkling forests are the hidden treasures you only see when the sun ducks behind the clouds.

If thunder or lightning rolls in before your ride begins, we may delay departure for up to 60 minutes. Rides already in progress may be shortened for major lightning, but refunds are not issued in this situation. Weather-related cancellations are at the sole discretion of Rusty Spurr Ranch.

If we cancel a ride before it leaves the corral, you’ll receive a 100% refund. And remember—Colorado weather forecasts are famously unreliable and have ruined more vacations than the weather ever has!

For safety and insurance reasons, Rusty Spurr Ranch has specific age requirements. Children must be 8 years or older to participate in trail rides and 12 years or older to join cattle drives. Additionally, minors under 13 must be accompanied by an adult on trail rides, and minors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult on cattle drives. These guidelines are mandatory and cannot be modified.

We are unable to offer riding activities for children under 8. However, we provide a comfortable cabin with indoor and outdoor picnic seating where an adult may stay with younger children. Kids are welcome to explore the surroundings, take a short walk, play horseshoes, or practice on the roping dummy.

Nope. NO dogs are allowed on the ranch.
We love dogs—but we hate seeing them left in hot vehicles, and we do not have shaded parking, so please don’t plan on bringing them.

Outside dogs create several safety issues:

• They can spook horses
• They may clash with our own territorial ranch dogs
• Barking can spoil the peaceful experience for other guests

If you need a place for your pup during your ride, we recommend Dog Chalet in Dillon: 970-262-9076

No—we value your life just as much as our horses’.
We do not promise anything faster than a walk on any of our rides (private rides included). Our terrain is rugged, our horses work hard, and—let’s be honest—we meet plenty of guests who say they’re experienced riders but are not quite ready for the reality of open-range Colorado riding.

What we do promise is plenty of freedom. We encourage riders to spread out and explore off-trail wherever the terrain allows. If you prefer a traditional nose-to-tail ride, that’s fine too. But speed isn’t part of the experience here—safety and scenery are.

Due to changing food-service regulations, supply shortages, and ongoing Covid-19 protocols, we are no longer able to provide full meals at the ranch. We will have basic pre-packaged snacks and drinks available for purchase in the gift shop if you need a little something before or after your ride.

You are absolutely welcome to bring your own picnic and enjoy our indoor or outdoor seating areas—both are free for guests to use. And if you’re looking for a full meal, the town of Kremmling has several great restaurant options just a few minutes away.

The more, the merrier! We’re impressed you found that many people who agreed on the same activity—that’s a win already!

For groups of 9 or more, please call us directly at 970-724-1123 to book. Payment for the full cost of the activity is required at the time of booking, and a 10% gratuity is automatically included for groups of 7 or more.

Because big groups take extra planning and reserve a large portion of our resources, groups of 9+ have a non-refundable 50% cancellation fee from the moment of booking. There are no refunds for groups of 9 or more within 2 weeks of the activity date.

Why so strict? When you reserve that many spots, we want to make sure you’re serious—and you’re taking up a big part of our day, horses, and staff. We love hosting large groups, but we have to protect the time and resources set aside just for you.

We don’t typically offer discounts for group bookings or special occasions—but you never know! From time to time we run seasonal specials during our shoulder seasons: May 15–June 15 and August 20–October 1.

For groups of 7 or more, we include an additional 10% guide gratuity at the time of booking to ensure our hardworking crew is taken care of.

We sell out quickly during peak season, so booking 2–3 weeks in advance will give you the best selection of dates and times. During our shoulder seasons, we can sometimes fit in last-minute bookings the day before—but it’s never a sure thing.

If your schedule is tight and you only have one specific day or time available, we strongly recommend booking at least a month in advance to secure your spot.

Colorado doesn’t require riders to wear helmets, but our insurance does require all children ages 8–12 to wear one while riding. We provide helmets at no cost when you check in. Because our supply can be limited during busy times, kids ages 8–12 get first priority for helmet availability.

It’s really not a fashion show out here! Expect to get dirty. Low-rise jeans get even lower once you’re in the saddle (hello, plumber crack). Tight jeans get tighter—sometimes so tight they rip in places the sun doesn’t shine. And high heels? They sink straight into the dirt and send you tumbling.

Here’s what we do recommend:

• Long pants
• Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes like sneakers or cowboy boots
• No spurs, even if you’re channeling your inner Wyatt Earp
• Hats that can handle a windy Colorado day
• Sports bras—a gift to humankind
• Absolutely no shorts unless you enjoy chafing and scratches
• Absolutely no high heels, heavy-tread hiking boots, clogs, Keens, or flip-flops

Bring a light jacket or extra layer in case the weather turns. We provide bright yellow raincoats on every saddle so nobody feels left out—or left wet.

What do you want to lose out on the ranch? Hopefully nothing—but keep in mind we are not responsible for any items lost on the trail, including phones, wallets, or keys. If you bring your phone, it’s at your own risk. We recommend leaving wallets, purses, and anything you won’t need in your car.

You’re welcome to leave your keys with the office staff (don’t worry—they love horses way more than cars). Locking yourself out is a bad idea anyway: the nearest locksmith is either several hours away or mysteriously unavailable exactly when you need one.

Bring a small to medium water bottle—nothing massive like a Big Gulp—so it fits in the saddlebags we provide. A snack is fine too if you think you’ll get hungry.

And finally: Absolutely NO firearms, alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, vape pens, or drugs on the ride. If you bring them, you will be kicked out, shunned, ridiculed, and banned forever—and we won’t feel bad about it.

Absolutely! Your guide will happily take a photo of you and your group with a beautiful backdrop during the ride—just hand them your camera. If you choose to use your cell phone as your camera, that’s the only thing it should be used for. Please save the family calls, business meetings, and social media updates for after you’re off the horse.

Seriously—we see a lot of folks trying to multitask, and it really ruins the peacefulness of the ride for everyone.

Also, keep in mind that large lenses and bulky cameras won’t fit in the saddlebags we provide.

We offer 2- and 3-hour private trail rides that can be customized based on what you want to see and experience. Want more views? More forest? More open range? Just let us know—your guide will tailor the ride to your interests.

Keep in mind that all of our trail rides, no matter which one you choose or how experienced you are, are walk-only. Our horses are climbing steep mountains, navigating rugged terrain, and weaving through thick forests, so walking is the safest and most comfortable pace for them and for you.

If you have a special idea in mind for your ride, give us a call! We’re always happy to discuss feasibility and options.

Lucky for you, we picked the most beautiful spot we could find! Our trail rides begin at roughly 8,000 feet and wander through wildflower meadows and shimmering aspen groves as they wind across the ranch. Since it’s a mountain ride, you’ll climb uphill just as much as you go downhill—but don’t worry, there are no cliffs or scary drop-offs, and our horses are wonderfully sure-footed.

You’ll take in sweeping mountain views—after all, we’re riding on one. We’ll even throw in snow-capped peaks from the Continental Divide, the Gore Range, and, if you’re extra lucky, maybe some wildlife sightings (not counting your family).

Nope—out on the trail you’re working with good old-fashioned pioneer toilets, a.k.a. any tree that calls your name in an emergency. But fear not! We have several clean, well-maintained porta-potties near our check-in cabin. They’re serviced daily, so think rest stop tidy, not music festival horror show.

We’re lucky enough to have 10,000 acres to ride on, and we know all the best spots—wildflower meadows, sage-covered hillsides, golden aspen groves, and jaw-dropping mountain vistas.

On private rides, feel free to share any special requests with your guide. If it’s feasible, we’re more than happy to tailor the route for you.

On public rides, we’ll do our best to honor requests, but because we have guests who may be visiting for the first time, we want everyone to experience the highlights—and still make it back to the corrals on time.

As fun as our rides are, we don’t recommend doing a morning and afternoon ride on the same day. Mountain horseback riding takes a lot of energy, and we want you to enjoy every activity you sign up for—not end the day exhausted and overly saddle sore.

In our experience, guests who tried booking two rides in one day always wished they had spread them out. Many visitors stay in the area for several days and ride with us multiple times, but they stick to one activity per day so they can fully enjoy the experience.

No, we don’t offer lodging on the ranch—being off the grid has its charms, but hotels aren’t one of them! Luckily, the nearby town of Kremmling has several great places to stay, all within about 20 minutes of the ranch.

You can check out local lodging options at:
www.kremmlingchamber.com

Unfortunately, we can’t allow outside horses to join any of our activities. Bringing in unfamiliar horses can introduce disease and disrupt the herd dynamic—and trust us, our horses have opinions about strangers.

Plus, we already have an amazing herd with a perfect match for every ability level, and we wouldn’t want them getting jealous of a new kid on the block.

For the safety and comfort of our horses, each animal is assigned tack that has been specifically fitted to its size and conformation. This prevents pressure points and ensures proper function. All tack used at Rusty Spurr Ranch is regularly inspected to meet our standards for cleanliness and safety. Therefore, outside tack or substitutions are not permitted.

We’ve heard plenty of stories from guests about rides at other stables—young, inexperienced guides, horses that aren’t well cared for, tack that’s seen better days, and facilities that don’t inspire confidence. Sadly, it’s more common in the industry than it should be, and it leads to less-than-great experiences for everyone.

Rusty Spurr Ranch is different.
We hire mature, professional equestrians who truly know horses. Our herd is exceptionally well cared for, well trained, and loved. And our attention to detail—from the moment you check in to the moment you dismount—creates a consistently fantastic guest experience.

Another big difference? You get every minute you paid for.
We don’t start your ride time while you’re mounting up or listening to instruction. Your paid ride begins after you leave the corral—because we think charging for non-riding time is just plain unfair.

Plus, we’re not your typical nose-to-tail operation. We encourage riders to spread out and ride off-trail wherever the terrain allows, giving you a much more natural, open-range experience.

We love taking people out on rides, but we do need a minimum number of guests to make each trip possible. It’s simply not profitable for us to send a guide out with just one rider, so most of our activities require at least 2 guests signed up.

We also need a minimum of 4 total guests for the ranch to open for the day—this can be any combination of activities. Once we reach that number, we’re good to go!