Horseback Riding With Kids in Colorado: Ages and Safety
A Parent’s Guide to Riding With Kids in Colorado
Each Colorado ranch sets its own minimum riding age. At Rusty Spurr Ranch near Kremmling, kids can join our 1- and 2-hour horseback trail rides at age 8 and the 3-hour ride at age 10. Riders 8 to 12 wear a free helmet, anyone under 13 rides with an adult, and wranglers hand-pick a calm horse for every child.
Key takeaways
- Minimum age is 8 for our 1- and 2-hour rides, and 10 for the 3-hour ride.
- Kids 8 to 12 must wear a helmet. We provide it free at check-in.
- Every rider under 13 rides with an adult in the group.
- We don’t offer double riding or pony rides, so children under 8 stay back with an adult.
- For most families with kids 8 and older, the 2-hour ride is the sweet spot.
How old do kids have to be to go horseback riding in Colorado?
There’s no single state age limit. Each ranch sets its own rules based on its horses, terrain and ride length. Ours are firm, and they’re the same every ride:
| Child’s age | What they can ride at Rusty Spurr | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | No riding | No double riding or pony rides |
| 8 to 9 | 1-hour or 2-hour trail ride | Helmet required, rides with an adult |
| 10 to 12 | Any trail ride, including the 3-hour | Helmet required, rides with an adult |
| 13 and up | Any trail ride | Helmet optional, may ride without a parent in the group |
Why 8? On our rides you aren’t locked into a single-file line. Guests can leave the trail where the terrain allows, which means every rider has to steer, stop and follow a guide’s instructions on their own horse. Most kids are ready for that around age 8.
If you have younger children, an adult can stay back with them at our cabin. It has indoor and outdoor picnic tables, horseshoes and a roping dummy to keep little cowpokes busy until the riders return.
Which ride is best for kids of each age?
Age sets the rules, but attention span decides the right ride. A 9-year-old who loves animals may happily ride for two hours. An 11-year-old who gets restless may be better off with one.
- 1-hour ride ($96): best for first-timers, nervous kids, kids 8 to 9 on their first ride and families on a tight vacation schedule.
- 2-hour ride ($155 PM / $165 AM): the best fit for most families with kids 8 and older. It’s long enough to feel like a real adventure and short enough that nobody runs out of steam.
- 3-hour ride ($239): for confident kids 10 and up and families who ride together often. It covers more country and gives you a better chance of seeing wildlife.
Kids 8 and up can join our 1- and 2-hour trail rides.
Kids 12 and up can also join our cattle drive, a 3- to 4-hour working ride where guests help the wranglers move the herd.
For a deeper comparison, read our post How to Choose Between a 1, 2, and 3-Hour Horseback Ride. All prices are total, with no hidden fees, and paying cash at check-in saves 10%.
Is horseback riding safe for kids?
Horseback riding is safe for kids when the horse, the guide and the gear are right. Horses are large animals, so no ranch can take away all risk. What a good outfitter does is stack the odds in your child’s favor.
Here’s how we do that at Rusty Spurr Ranch:
- We pick the horse. Our wranglers personally match each rider with a horse based on size, confidence and ability. Kids get our steadiest, most patient horses.
- Helmets are required for ages 8 to 12. We fit them at check-in at no charge. Older kids and adults can ask for one too.
- An adult rides with every child under 13. Your child is never on the ride without a grown-up from your group.
- Small groups. Our rides are small, so guides can keep an eye on every young rider.
- Guides teach as they go. Our wranglers help with horsemanship, answer questions and stop when anyone needs a break.
Riders 8 to 12 get a free helmet, fitted at check-in.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org guide to horseback riding says riders should wear a helmet every time they ride, and that children’s riding should be supervised. For more on staying safe in the saddle, read our trail ride safety tips.
How do you prepare kids for their first horseback ride?
A little prep goes a long way, especially for nervous kids.
- Talk it through. Tell them the horse is big but calm, and that the guide will help the whole time.
- Watch a short video together of someone mounting and steering a horse at a walk.
- Set the rules early: no running or yelling near horses, never walk behind a horse, and always listen to the guide.
- Let them meet the horse. At check-in, our wranglers introduce each rider to their horse before they mount.
- Plan a snack and a bathroom stop right before the ride.
Our first-time rider guide walks through check-in, mounting and steering in more detail.
What should kids wear horseback riding?
The same rules apply to kids and adults, and they matter more for kids, who chafe and chill faster.
- Long pants, ideally jeans. Shorts rub against the saddle.
- Closed-toe shoes or boots with a small heel. No sandals or Crocs.
- Layers. Mountain weather changes fast, and afternoon storms are common in summer.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses with a strap.
- A water bottle and a small snack for before and after the ride.
Our horseback riding gear guide has a full checklist.
Does altitude affect kids on a Colorado ride?
It can. Our ranch sits at high elevation, and many families arrive straight from sea level. The CDC says altitude illness can start at 8,000 feet and notes that young children may simply seem fussy rather than describing a headache.
To keep everyone comfortable:
- Give the family a day to adjust before your ride if you can.
- Push water the day before and the morning of.
- Book a morning ride when it’s cooler and storms are less likely.
- Tell your guide right away if your child seems unusually tired, cranky or nauseated.
Where do families ride from?
Aspen groves on the ranch near Kremmling, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Breckenridge.
Rusty Spurr Ranch is near Kremmling in Grand County, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Breckenridge. Families staying in Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Grand Lake and Silverthorne often make the ranch a half-day outing. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your ride to check in and get helmets fitted.
Planning for a bigger crew? See our options for family reunions, along with kids’ birthday parties and youth groups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for horseback riding at Rusty Spurr Ranch?
Kids must be at least 8 years old to ride. Children ages 8 and 9 can join the 1-hour and 2-hour trail rides, and kids 10 and older can also book the 3-hour ride. We don’t offer double riding or pony rides for younger children, but an adult can stay with them at our cabin, which has picnic tables, horseshoes and a roping dummy.
Do kids need to wear helmets?
Yes, for younger riders. Every child ages 8 to 12 must wear a helmet on our rides, and we provide one free at check-in. Our wranglers fit it before your child mounts. Teens and adults can ask for one too. Pediatric safety groups recommend helmets for children on horseback, and we follow that for every young rider.
Can my child ride alone without a parent?
No, not if they’re under 13. Every rider under 13 must ride with an adult from their group. Your child still rides their own horse, chosen by our wranglers to match their size and confidence, but a grown-up from your party is on the ride with them the whole time. Teens 13 and older can ride without a parent in the group.
Is a 2-hour ride too long for an 8-year-old?
Not usually. Many 8- and 9-year-olds do well on our 2-hour ride, which is long enough to feel like a real adventure. If your child is nervous, easily tired or has never been around horses, start with the 1-hour ride. Be honest about their attention span, not just their age. You can always come back for a longer ride.
Are there weight limits for kids?
The ranch’s rider limits apply to every guest. All riders must be under 230 pounds and a BMI of 34, which protects our horses on mountain terrain. These limits rarely affect children, but they apply to the adult who rides with them. Check the full rider requirements on our FAQ page before booking.
Book a family ride that fits everyone
Riding together in the Colorado high country is one of the best memories a family can make. Pick the ride that fits your youngest rider, and we’ll take care of the horses, helmets and guides. Compare ride times and reserve your spot on our Colorado Horseback Trail Rides page. Have more questions? Our FAQ covers rider requirements in full.