Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Rusty Spurr Ranch Blog

Horseback Tips for Riding in Trail Environments

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Oct 13, 2019 under Colorado, Horseback Riding, Rusty Spurr Ranch, Vacation Although Rusty Spurr Ranch has off-trail horseback riding and open-range cattle drives, we want to make everyone aware of the proper precautions to take when trail riding on a single track. Many other stables utilize single track trails that are often multi-use, public Forest Service trails. The trails that you are asked to follow when horseback riding are not just for you; they are also to help prevent the deterioration of the environment. By sticking to the trails, you are limiting the damage your horse might cause to the area you are traveling through. One of the actions we recommend is encouraging your horse to walk through puddles, as riding around the area will widen the trial which will in turn destroy the vegetation….

What happens during the off-season at our horse back riding stables?

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Nov 04, 2019 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 happens during the off-season and what we do with the horses. Here at Rusty Spurr Ranch, we use the off season to catch up…

Stefanie Jones’ Daily Blast LIVE and the Rusty Spurr Ranch!

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Dec 02, 2019 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 horses and friendly staff will make your time at our ranch delightful. One activity that we highly recommend is a cattle drive. Stefanie participated in one of our cattle drives and…

We are so thankful for all the great reviews!

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Jan 06, 2020 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Rusy Spurr Ranch 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 you write positive reviews or compliment our ranch, you are helping to spread our message of adventure, exploration, and fun. Our five star rating on Yelp and TripAdvisor is fantastic and…

Different Breeds of Trail Riding Horses

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Feb 13, 2020 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 and well-muscled bodies, in addition to this their steady and calm temperaments are a large part in what makes them such highly praised trail…

Essentials of Horseback Riding

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Mar 06, 2020 under Horses, Horse Stables, Rusty Spurr Ranch, Trail Ride 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, it can get fairly hot and cold here in Colorado, so being able to adapt to the weather is important. Wearing…

Horse Pricing and Costs

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Apr 06, 2020 under Colorado, Horses, Horse Stables, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 area of the country you live in. The first thing you need to know about buying a horse is that the…

The Cowboy Culture is a symbol of American West

Posted by Rusty Spurr on May 10, 2020 under Colorado, Horses, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 and style. Their iconic lifestyle has been glamorized but in reality it can be grueling work that is not for the faint of heart….

Trail Etiquette

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Jun 10, 2020 under Horses, Rusty Spurr Ranch, Trail Ride 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 accidents. Instead, alert the lead rider and move to the side and out of the way of the rest of the group. As…

Colorado Cattle Drive

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Jul 06, 2020 under Colorado, Rusty Spurr Ranch 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 and early 20th century in the American West. These cattle drives were a major economic activity that took place when cattle ranchers wanted to sell their cattle in the East and…

Life in The Mountains

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Aug 11, 2020 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Horseback Riding, Horses, Mountains, Rusty Spurr Ranch, Vacation 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 play outside. However winter at elevation can test even the most avid of outdoorsmen. Expect much more snowfall, colder temperatures, and a longer winter in general than lower elevation areas….

Family-Owned Horseback Riding with Rusty Spurr Ranch

Posted by Rusty Spurr on Sep 09, 2020 under Breckenridge, Colorado, Horseback Riding, Horses, Horse Stables, Rusty Spurr Ranch, Vacation The Rusty Spurr Ranch, which vistors 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 comraderie amongst the staff and owners. We often have closer relationships with the people who come to the ranch because we treat them like family. Any guest that visits…